The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 13 Oct 2011

13.10.2011 Ales Bialiatski: “The time threw us a challenge. We accepted it"

This is an interview with Aliaksandr Bialiatski prepared for publication for the 15th anniversary of Human Rights Center "Viasna", which is celebrated this year. In this interview, Bialiatski tells not only about the history of the organization, the purpose of its work and his colleagues, but also about his vision of human rights protection in democratic reforms, which will doubtlessly take place in Belarus in the near future.

13.10.2011 Hrodna: activist of “Tell The Truth!” Tatsiana Kasataya is expelled from post-graduate course

The ideological pressurization is still growing in the Hrodna State University named after Yanka Kupala. Last week, on 8 October, the deans ordered lecturers to keep students in class rooms during the People's Assembly. In the beginning of this week it also became known about the expulsion of Tatsiana Kasataya, an activist of the civil movement “Tell The Truth!” from the post-graduate course.

13.10.2011 Babruisk: Viktar Buzinayeu is summonsed to police

Viktar Buzinayeu, a member of the organizing committee of the People's Assembly in Babruisk, was detained by the police on 8 October, but released without any charges.

13.10.2011 Mahiliou: fine to activist of Movement “For Freedom!”

Yauhen Makuta was fined 17,500 rubles for posting leaflets with the call to take part in a silent protest action held by “Revolution through Social Networks”. He had been detained for it on 21 September.

13.10.2011 Vitsebsk: trial for “insubordination to police”

On 13 October the Vitsebsk District Court started trying Valery Staurou, charged under Article 23.4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, “insubordination to lawful demands of police officer”.

13.10.2011 Brest authorities ban more pickets

The Brest City Executive Committee prohibited holding three pickets in Savetskaya Street. The aim of the pickets was drawing public attention to the necessity of ratification of the agreement about the border-line movement with Poland, which would simplify the rules trans-border movement for residents of the 50-kilometer border zone.

13.10.2011 Slonim: Ales Masiuk gets fined as well

On 12 October the Slonim District Court tried Ales Masiuk, a participant of the People's Assembly which had taken place in Slonim on 8 October.

13.10.2011 Homel: silent protest action in circle of riot policemen

About ten youngsters took part in the silent protest action which was held at 7 p.m. on 12 October in Homel. The action participants were surrounded by riot policemen who almost stepped down on their feet. A camera-man made close-ups from the distance of 0,5-1 meter, almost pushing the camera in the participants' faces.

13.10.2011 Journalist Alena Skebunova interrogated about insults on charter97.org website

The prosecutor’s office of the Mahilou region tries to figure out who posted “insulting remarks” about judge of the Leninski district court of Mahilou Iryna Lanchava on the website charter97.org on 7 July 2011.

13.10.2011 Polish procuracy bans white-red-white flag

Belarusian sports fans do not have the right to use Belarusian national white-red-white flags at international sports events in Poland.

13.10.2011 Students are asked about possible blockade of social networks

Students of a state university are questioned on legislative issues. The questionnaire includes 2 questions on limitation of access to sites and social networks. The first question is (No. 11): Which methods of struggle against threats to social security in the global network Internet do you consider the most acceptable?

13.10.2011 New amendments to legislation: KGB gets unlimited powers

New amendments are to tighten conditions for public and political activity in Belarus. This is provided for by the draft law “On amendments to the law of the Republic of Belarus on bodies of state security of the Republic of Belarus”.