The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for May 2011

31.05.2011 Court leaves Ministry of Information's warning to "Nasha Niva" in force

Supreme Economic court has not satisfied "Nasha Niva's" complaint.

30.05.2011 Weekly review of post-election situation in Belarus (23-29 May)

Minsk courts pronounced 7 more verdicts in the mass riot criminal case: former presidential candidates Mikalai Statkevich and Dzmitry Us were sentenced to 6 and 5.5 years of imprisonment respectively, Aliaksandr Klaskouski – 5 years, Artsiom Hrybkou – 4 years. Andrei Pazniak was released in the courtroom after he was sentenced to 2 years of compulsory labour without direction to a penal colony. Radio Racyja board chair Yauhen Wapa was not allowed entering Belarus and his visa was cancelled without any explanations. Minsk police detained 7 participants, including 4 human rights defenders, of a round table meeting on the issues of reforming Belarusian Internal Affairs system. President Lukashenka called upon officials to close down the media “engaged in creating panic” in consumer and currency markets.

28.05.2011 Human rights defenders detained ahead of prison conditions seminar

Seven human rights defenders were detained this morning at the BPF Minsk office, where a seminar on detention conditions was expected to take place.

27.05.2011 Mahiliou NGO denied registration

The chief department of justice of Mahiliou regional executive committee denied state registration to local public association “Mahiliou Center for Strategic Development Impulse” due to alleged inaccuracies in the NGO’s registration papers, namely certain financial allegations.

27.05.2011 Brest prosecutor’s office turns down police violence claim by HR defender

Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak received a reply to his complaint against reported use of violence by the city police as Mr. Kisliak was forced to undergo fingerprinting examination.

27.05.2011 New verdicts in Square events trials

On 26 May, Minsk Leninski District Court presided by judge Mrs. Liudmila Hrachova pronounced verdicts in another trial of participants of the 19 December 2010 post-election protest.

27.05.2011 Three anarchists sentenced to imprisonment, two – to restraint of liberty

Minsk Zavodski District Court has pronounced the court’s decision to the activists of the anarchist movement.

27.05.2011 Aksana Pachobut and two BAJ members detained in Hrodna

The reason for the detention was making a video near “a secure object”.

25.05.2011 Weekly review of post-election situation in Belarus (15-22 May)

Three trials of 16 participants of the 19 December 2010 post-election events were finished last week, 9 defendants were convicted under Par. 1 Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of activities that breach the public order, or active participation in them). On 16 May sentences were handed down to Iryna Khalip, Pavel Seviarynets and Siarhei Martseleu, on 20 May – to Uladzimir Niakliayeu, Siarhei Vazniak, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, Vital Rymasheuski, Andrei Dzmitryeu and Nasta Palazhanka. The verdicts appeared to be rather mild, as compared to the previous ones: those were mostly suspended imprisonment or probation. The pronouncement of sentences to seven more persons involved in the criminal proceedings on riots charges were postponed, including 2 presidential candidates Mikalai Statkevich and Dzmitry Us.

24.05.2011 Zmitser Bandarenka needs urgent surgery

A specialist examined the seriously ill political prisoner at last, for the first time in 5 months.

24.05.2011 Belarusian visa annulled to Radio Racyja head

Border guards on the Polish-Belarusian border have annulled a visa of the chairman of the board of Radio Racyja Yauheny Vapa.

24.05.2011 Prosecutor demands 3-9 years of imprisonment for anarchists

The prosecution insists on strict punishment.

23.05.2011 For Freedom Homel leader appeals fine in Supreme Court

Piotr Kuzniatsou, leader of For Freedom Homel regional office, has lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court, appealing an earlier fine for distributing leaflets back in January 2011.