The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 6 Dec 2011

06.12.2011 Minsk: police haunt national-Bolsheviks

On 6 December morning the police started searching for the youngsters who could have relation to the action which had been conducted at the entrance of the Belarusian State TV and Radio Company on 3 December.

06.12.2011 Mahiliou Region Court doesn't justify participant of People's Assembly

On 6 December the Mahiliou Region Court considered the appeal of Uladzimir Shantsau, the head of the Mahiliou region organization of the United Civil Party, against the fine of 1.4 million rubles, imposed on him by the Leninski District Court of Mahiliou for the organization of the People's Assembly in Mahiliou on 8 October.

06.12.2011 Brest activists appeal against picket bans

Brest-based civil activists filed with the Brest Region Court an appeal against the refusal of the authorities to authorize pickets in support of political prisoners.

06.12.2011 Brest: procuracy warns Zinaida Mikhniuk

Natallia Selekh, Brest prosecutor, issued an official warning to Zinaida Mikhniuk, head of the Brest department of the Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry, for a rally appointed on 10 December.

06.12.2011 Vitsebsk: human rights defenders are required to “confirm their powers”

Human rights defender Leanid Svetsik had addressed the Vitsebsk Region Executive Committee with the proposal to hold a meeting with representatives of human rights movement in order to discuss human rights issues.

06.12.2011 Parcel for political prisoner Dashkevich returned to sender

Civil activist Anzhela Kambalava, head of the Baranavichy city branch of the United Civil Party, maintains written correspondence with many political prisoners who have been convicted in connection with the protest action of 19 December 2010.

06.12.2011 Human rights pickets banned in Barysau and Maladechna

On 5 December the Barysau human rights defenders Aleh Matskevich and Maryna Statkevich received from the Barysau District Executive Committee a refusal to authorize a picket dated to the 63rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

06.12.2011 Babruisk: search at apartment of head of local UCP branch

The flat of Alena Toustsik, deputy chairperson of the United Civil party branch was searched. The website of the party was informed about that by the leader of Babruisk city branch of the UCP Viktar Buzinayeu.

06.12.2011 Mahiliou: repressed for Belarusian language applies to court

Andrei Padaliak from Mahiliou, fined allegedly for swearing, says the real reason for the trial was speaking Belarusian.

06.12.2011 What for does KGB need a guitar?

A civic activist from Asipovichy, Ihar Simbirou, has not been returned his guitar seized by the KGB during a search almost a year ago.

06.12.2011 UN Committee against Torture insists on investigation of tortures in Belarus

The UN Committee against Torture has released recommendations for the Belarusian authorities after discussing the situation in Belarus in Geneva on 11 and 14 November. Two reports, an official governmental one on Belarus’s fulfilling the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the other one prepared by human rights activists. Following the two hearings, the Committee drew up recommendations for the authorities of Belarus, BelaPAN news agency reports.

06.12.2011 Last statement by Ales Bialiatski at the trial on 23 November 2011

I agree with every word the counsel said. I think that the arguments he has presented have a sufficient legal basis and sufficient grounds for their serious treatment. At the same time, I’m in a rather complicated situation, as I understand perfectly well that this case from beginning to end has a political subtext, and the lawyer’s speech and my last statement, unfortunately, are a voice crying in the wilderness, finding it extremely difficult to reach anyone. And now I feel like the one who cries in the wilderness, trying to reach the sun. Still, I have something to say.