The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for October 2011

26.10.2011 Trade union leader fined

Henadz Fiadynich, leader of the Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry, has been fined BYR 1,400,000 for organizing the People’s Assembly on 8 October, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

26.10.2011 UCP Mahiliou activist questioned

On 25 October, Mahiliou police interrogated local leader of the United Civil Party of Belarus Uladzimir Shantsau.

26.10.2011 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders: undue pressure against Belarus' civil society and independent media continues

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint project of the International Federation for Human rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has released its annual report covering administrative abuses against human rights defenders worldwide.

25.10.2011 Six detained in Minsk rally

Six persons have been detained during third daily rally of solidarity with prisoners of conscience in Minsk central Kastrychnitskaya Square this evening.

25.10.2011 NGO Platforma addresses Constitutional Court

The Platforma information and educational NGO has addressed the Constitutional Court with a statement on a number of legal acts, questioning their compliance with the Basic Law, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

25.10.2011 BCD coordinator keeps appealing obscenity verdict

Zmitser Shurkhai, Brest regional coordinator of the Belarusian Christian Democracy’s organizing committee, has lodged a complaint with the regional court against an earlier verdict by Brest Maskouski District Court of 28 June.

25.10.2011 Journalist Alyaksandr Zyankou released

He was detained today when he was covering the strike of Barysau communal workers.

25.10.2011 UCP Babruisk activists appeal detentions

Babruisk activists of the United Civil Party of Belarus Halina Smirnova and Viktar Buzinayeu have lodged complaints with local prosecutor’s office, appealing detentions before and during the People’s Assembly.

25.10.2011 UCP leader Liabedzka to sue KGB

Chair of the United Civil Party of Belarus Anatol Liabedzka is going to sue the KGB for failure to return his passport seized during a search on 19 December 2010, Radio Racyja reports.

25.10.2011 For Freedom movement denied registration

The board of the main justice department of the Minsk city executive committee has refused to register the Minsk city branch of For Freedom movement.

25.10.2011 UCP deputy head Leu Marholin detained on border

The deputy head of the United Civil Party, Leu Marholin, was detained on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border.

25.10.2011 Ministry of Justice fails to recognize Minsk City Bar Association chair-elect

The Belarusian Ministry of Justice has revoked the decision of 22 October by a sitting of Minsk City Bar Association, which appointed Andrei Sankovich chair of the lawyers’ organization, www.ej.by reports.

25.10.2011 Civil society groups petition Constitutional Court over controversial draft laws

Twenty-six civil society groups have petitioned the Constitutional Court over controversial draft laws that would extend the powers of the Committee for State Security (KGB), introduce additional restrictions on street protests and tighten penalties for political and civil society groups receiving foreign aid.

25.10.2011 European Belarus activist sentenced to 10 days of arrest

Judge Valery Yesman of Minsk Tsentralny District Court has sentenced Maksim Viniarski, activist of the European Belarus opposition movement, to 10 days of administrative arrest for participation in yesterday’s picket of solidarity with political prisoners staged in Minsk’s Kastrychnitskaya Square.

25.10.2011 Mahiliou police turn down complaint by protester

Chief of Mahiliou Kastrychnitski District Department of Internal Affairs has dismissed a complaint by local activist Yauhen Makuta against a fine for involvement in a “silent protest” on 21 September.