The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 7 Nov 2011

07.11.2011 A brief review of the second day of the hearing of the case of Ales Bialiatski

On November 3, 2011 in Minsk the trial of Ales Bialiatski, the head of the human rights center Viasna and vice-president of the International Federation of Human Rights continued. The International observation mission of the Committee on international control over the situation with Human Rights in Belarus followed the progress of the trial. A survey of the first day can be found here. Today's hearing was largely devoted to the examination of witnesses.

07.11.2011 Destruction of historical heritage in Slonim and Vitsebsk

Mechyslau Kastsiuk, now a member of the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assemblies of Belarus, headed the Slonim District Executive Committee in 2002-2008. A monument of wooden architecture, mansion on Chkalau Street, was destroyed during this time. The mansion was situated in a small public garden. It was constructed in 1923 and followed the traditions in the construction of mansions of 18-19 centuries. Though it was ruined, the mansion is still present in the local register of monuments of architecture.

07.11.2011 Beshankovichy: teacher to be tried for distributing self-made newspaper

On 5 November teacher Heorhi Stankevich was detained in Beshankovichy while transporting self-made newspaper “Kryvinka” to regular readers by bicycle. The newspaper isn't issued periodically, as the teacher publishes it at his own expense, and has a small circulation – 290 copies.

07.11.2011 Baranavichy: seventh picket ban for Ryhor Hryk

Baranavichy-based civil activist Ryhor Hryk intended to hold a picket on 12 November in order to inform the population about the failure of the police and the local authorities to abide by requirements of the Law “On National and Local Assemblies” (the matter is that civil activists Siarhei Auchynnikau, Anzhela Kambalava, Viktar Meziak and Viktar Tsiapin had been fined for holding an assembly, which was considered as a “mass event”).

07.11.2011 Baranavichy: Viktar Syrytsa to be tried for People's Assembly

On 4 November Pavel Kulhavik, deputy chairman of the public order and prophylaxis department, drew up a report on Viktar Syrytsa, Chairman of the Baranavichy branch of the movement “For Freedom!”.

07.11.2011 Brest: Zinaida Mikhniuk to be tried before People's Assembly

The court hearing in the case of Zinaida Mikhnyuk, the head of the Brest of People’s Assembly organizing committee, began but was postponed to 11 November.

07.11.2011 Liabedzka detained on the border again

Anatol Liabedzka, the head of the United Civil Party (UCP), has been detained at Katlouka checkpoint on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border.

07.11.2011 Aliaksandr Malchanau detained for 3 days more after 10-day arrest

Former political prisoner Aliaksandr Malchanau has been detained for three days after ten days in custody. He is a suspect in a criminal case.

07.11.2011 Minsk: detentions after “Dziady” rally in Loshytsa suburb

On 6 November a memorial march dedicated to Dzyady (Remembrance of Ancestors Day) was held in Minsk.

07.11.2011 “Young Front” activists detained for attack on Communist rally

A group of young people threw eggs at the monument to Lenin and participants of the rally held by the official Belarusian Communist Party on Nezalezhnasts Square in Minsk. Activists were chanting “Stop Communism” and “Tribunal for Communism”, Nasha Niva newspaper informs. After a small clash with demonstrators, the guys were detained by plainclothes policemen.

07.11.2011 The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders: Third day of the trial against Ales Bialiatski shows clear signs of a politically-motivated trial

On the second day, Mr. Ales Bialiatski appeared in court behind bars, very pale, but also very clear when answering about his professional activities. On the first day of his trial, Mr. Ales Bialiatski was not allowed to have lunch, nor to drink. When he was interrogated for more than two hours, he stood up, with his documents in the hands whereas the interrogators, the prosecution and the judge were sat-down.