The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 8 Dec 2011

08.12.2011 Why are letters to Statkevich destroyed in penal colony in Shklou?

Leanid Haravy, an activist of the human rights and educational movement “For Freedom!” is looking of an answer to this question. As it follows from the official answer of the head of Shklou penal colony #17, his letter to former presidential candidate, political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich, was destroyed. However, the colony administration didn’t offer any explanations for this action.

08.12.2011 Barysau: verdict to signature collector to be announced on 12 December

On 7 December the second hearing on the case of Mikalai Iliiushonak took place at the Barysau City Court. Illiushonak had been detained on 21 September, while collecting signatures for holding a People’s Assembly in Barysau. He was kept at the police station for three hours and his car and apartment were inspected.

08.12.2011 Trial of national-Bolshevik Kontush postponed

On 8 December Yury Harbatouski, Judge of the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk, continued the consideration of the administrative case against Yauhen Kontush, who is charged with “disorderly conduct” for alleged spilling a bucket of noodles and scattering leaflets at the entrance of the Belarusian TV and Radio Company on 3 December.

08.12.2011 Belarusian believers against execution of Kanavalau and Kavaliou

About twenty believers, who hold daily prayers near St. Symon and Alena Church in the center of Minsk, addressed Aliaksandr Lukashenka in connection with the issue of the death verdict to Kanavalau and Kavaliou and the related hunger-strike of Sviatlana Chornaya.

08.12.2011 Polish human rights defenders ask Lukashenka to pardon Kanavalau and Kavaliou

The Polish Helsinki Human Rights Foundation and the initiative “Horizon – against the death penalty” addressed Aliaksandr Lukashenka with an appropriate appeal.

08.12.2011 Human rights pickets banned in Homel and Vitsebsk

The Homel City Executive Committee banned human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka from holding a picket on 10 December, Human Rights Day, at one of the central squares of the city.

08.12.2011 Anastasiya Palazhanka is asked about her place of residence

Anatasiya Palazhanka, the “Young Front” deputy head, visited the penal office of the Pershamaiski district police department of Minsk on 6 December. She was not issued with a warning, but police asked if her place of residence changed, “Belorusski Partizan” learned from Anastasia’s friends.