The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 17 Mar 2011

17.03.2011 Russian HR defender Yurov to appeal his persona non grata status

Andrei Yurov, Head of the International Observation Mission of the Committee on International Control over the Situation with Human Rights in Belarus, is going to appeal his persona non grata status in Belarus.

17.03.2011 37 accused in mass riot case

Dzmitry Daronin, detained on 14 March, has been officially charged under Par. 2 Art. 293 of the Criminal Code (“mass rioting”). He is likely to be escorted to Minsk pre-trial prison #1 in Valadarski Street.

17.03.2011 Unknown accused in 19 December case: 6 weeks in prison

According to the brother of Andrei Pratasenia, currently in custody in the KGB pre-trial prison and facing charges under Par. 2 Art. 293 of the Criminal Code (“participation in mass riots”), the prisoner has sent three letters to his family, claiming that he did not use violence during the 19 December demonstration and managed to leave Nezalezhnastsi Square.

17.03.2011 Ukraine denies political asylum to Belarusian refuge for second time

The Ukraine’s State Committee for National and Religious Affairs repeatedly denied political asylum to Belarusian opposition activist Ihar Koktysh.

17.03.2011 European lawyers address Minister of Justice

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe has addressed Belarusian Minister of Justice Viktar Halavanau with an open letter, expressing its concern over the recent facts of harassment of Belarusian advocates.

17.03.2011 Vitsebsk activist Khamaida fined BYR 1,050,000

On 17 March, Vitsebsk Chyhunachny District Court reviewed the administrative case of local opposition activist Barys Khamaida, found guilty of arranging an unauthorized picket, after an earlier acquitting verdict was reversed.

17.03.2011 Hrodna youth activists fined

On 16 March, the administrative commission of Hrodna Leninski district fined local youth activists Volha Bahdanovich and Katsiaryna Herasimchyk BYR 350,000 each, detained on 11 and 12 February for posting opposition stickers around the city.

17.03.2011 Polatsk court upholds picket ban

On 16 March, Polatsk Town and District Court dismissed an appeal lodged by local activist Mr. Kalesnik against official of the town executive committee Mrs. Hanebnaya, who banned a picket of solidarity with the victims of the 19 December 2010 police crackdown scheduled for 19 February.