The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for September 2011

30.09.2011 EU leaders issue declaration condemning Belarus for its "deteriorating" human rights record

The leaders of the European Union’s member countries issued a declaration condemning Belarus for its "deteriorating" record on human rights and rule of law as a result of the September 29-30 EU Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw after the delegations of five post-Soviet nations participating in the Eastern Partnership – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – had spoken out against including a paragraph to this effect in the summit’s joint declaration.

30.09.2011 “Belarusian bars are becoming Justice Ministry’s department”

“Belarusian bars are becoming Justice Ministry’s department”, - say the participants of the International Congress of the European Bars Federation held in Wroclaw in late September, where Belarusian lawyers were represented by Pavel Sapelka, deprived of his license for involvement in politically-motivated criminal cases.

30.09.2011 Brest students forced to sign undertakings not to participate in unauthorized protests

A number of students of Brest Technical University have been reportedly forced to sign a written undertaking not to take part in unauthorized streets events, in particular, so called “silent protests”, Radio Racyja reports.

30.09.2011 Brest human rights defender appeals rally ban

Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak has lodged a complaint with the regional executive committee and local prosecutor’s office, appealing the ban imposed on a demonstration against forced disappearances scheduled for 30 September, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

30.09.2011 Police search apartment of BPF activist

On 29 September, Minsk police searched the apartment of Belarusian Popular Front activist Siarzhuk Semianiuk, who is facing criminal charges for alleged using violence against a security guard outside the party’s office, www.belaruspartisan.org reports.

30.09.2011 Andrei Sannikau is in Babruisk colony

He was transported from Mahilyou to Babruisk at 7 p.m. yesterday.

30.09.2011 Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty choose campaign’s logo

On 29 September, Minsk-based “U” Gallery hosted the award ceremony of the contest for the best logo for the “Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty” civil campaign.

30.09.2011 Prosecutor’s reply: measure of restraint reflects gravity of offence

Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka have received a reply from deputy head of Minsk City Prosecutor’s Office Kanstantsin Kezhun, saying that the pre-trial detention of Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski was chosen considering the gravity of the alleged offence.

30.09.2011 Another international observer prevented from entering Belarus

On 30 September, the Belarusian border troops did not allow Ukrainian activist of the International Observation Mission of the Committee of International Control over the Human Rights Situation in Belarus Volodymyr Senko to enter the country.

30.09.2011 Another Baranvichy activist detained for distributing People’s Assembly leaflets

On 30 September, Baranavichy police detained Viktar Meziak, head of the local organizing committee of so called “People’s Assembly”, as he was distributing leaflets advertising the event due on 8 October.

29.09.2011 Raid on flat of activist of People’s Assembly organizing committee

The house of Yury Silkin, an activist of the People’s Assembly organizing committee, was raided yesterday.

29.09.2011 Homel court turns down complaint by local activist

On 28 September, Homel regional court dismissed an appeal by local civil activist and a student of law at Tartu University Ihar Sluchak, contesting an earlier verdict of 3 days of arrest, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

29.09.2011 Brest authorities ban pickets

Brest city executive committee has banned a series of picket scheduled for 1-5 October by Viktar Chaikouski, deputy chair of the entrepreneurs’ association “Perspektyva”, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

29.09.2011 Three journalists detained in Vorsha

They are journalist of "Novy Chas" Lola Buryeva, journalist of "Nasha Niva" Syarhej Satsyuk and driver Hanna Myzenka. They made an economic report.

29.09.2011 Brest court reverses non-guilty verdict to BCD activist

Brest regional court has reversed the non-guilty verdict pronounced by the court of Maskouski district in the administrative case of local coordinator of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Zmitser Shurkhai, Radio Racyja reports.