The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 14 Dec 2011

14.12.2011 Vitsebsk: trial of Siarhei Kavalenka postponed again

Siarhei Kavalenka, member of the Conservative-Christian Party from Vitsebsk, is tried by Ina Hrabouskaya, Judge of the Kastrychnitski District Court of Vitsebsk, on the basis of video and photo materials from Internet, at which a man who resembles Siarhei Kavalenka hangs out a white-red-white flag on the roof of the shop “5th Element” on 27 November.

14.12.2011 Finnish League for Human Rights applies to embassies to support Ales Bialiatski

Finnish League for Human Rights (FLHR) visited the embassy of the Rebublic of Lithuania in Helsinki today to present a written appeal on behalf of Ales Bialiatski's case and situation in Belarus. FLHR requested a meeting also with the embassy of the Russian Federation in Helsinki, but received no reply.

14.12.2011 Ukrainian activists support Bialiatski and other prisoners of conscience

One of the seats was left empty to symbolize the virtual presence of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski at the presentation of the annual report of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 8 December. That’s how the All-Ukrainian Association of Civil Human Rights Actions expressed support to Bialiatski.

14.12.2011 Astravets district: worker traumatized at NPP construction site

According to information of civil activist Ivan Kruk, a fieldworker lost three fingers at the construction site of the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant, located near the town of Varniany.

14.12.2011 Interrogations on criminal case of BPF members go on

The investigation continues interrogating possible witnesses of the assault on a guard of an office building, which was allegedly committed by the members of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Maksim Hubarevich, Ales Kalita and Siarzhuk Semianiuk on 13 August 2011.

14.12.2011 19 December actions banned in Vitsebsk

Vitsebsk-based civil activists intended to hold a rally near the so-called “blue house” on Lenin Street and proceed towards Svaboda Square.

14.12.2011 Attention! Urgent press-conference

On 15 December representatives of Belarusian human rights organizations and civil movements will voice an urgent address to the public concerning the criminal case of the head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” and vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights Ales Bialiatski.

14.12.2011 Ivan Shyla holds action of support to Bialiatski at European Human Rights Congress (photos)

Ivan Shyla, "Young Front" activist from Salihorsk, held an action in support of Ales Bialiatski at the Human Rights Congress held in the Polish town of Katowicy on 8 December. The Congress was dedicated the the human rights situation on the post-Soviet space and was held at the juridical faculty of the Silezian University where Ivan studies.

14.12.2011 Dziatlava: selling sweets to subscribe to state-owned press

Pupils of gymnasium #1 in Dziatlava organize school fairs twice a year. They sell there pastries, cakes and sweets they bake at home together with their parents.

14.12.2011 Vitsebsk: Siarhei Kavalenka pressurized by penal inspection

Siarhei Kavalenka, a member of the Conservative-Christian Party Belarusian Popular Front punished with conditional imprisonment for hanging out a white-red-white flag on the main New Year tree of Vitsebsk, filed a number of appeals with the city procuracy. He complains about the restriction of his legal rights to work, rest and use the Belarusian language.

14.12.2011 Uladzislau Kavaliou files appeal for pardon

It was stated by Deputy General Prosecutor Aliaksei Stuk, reports interfax.by. Also, the General prosecution's representative stated that the convicts had not filed supervisory appeals yet.