The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 6 Jan 2012

06.01.2012 Heorhi Stankevich fined 1,4 million rubles

Heorhi Stankevich, editor of the small-circulation newspaper “Kryvinka”, distributed in the Beshankovichy district, was charged with violation of the distribution rules. He was to have been tried for it on 4 January. However, Heorhi didn't manage to come due to an illness.

06.01.2012 Aliaksandr Kruty waits to be transferred to Navinki psychiatric hospital to be “cured from conscience”

Kanstantsin Zhukouski, Home-based activist of the “Our Alternative” coalition, received a letter from Aliaksandr Kruty, father of a victim of the Minsk metro blast, kept in the pre-trial prison in Valadarski Street.

06.01.2012 Consideration of appeal of invalid Marozau postponed to 12 January

The consideration of Uladzimir Marozau’s appeal against the refusal to instigate a criminal case concerning an unlawful assault of police officers on him, was postponed to 12 January due to the failure of the procuracy to timely pass the case materials to the Pershamaiski District Court. The trial will start at 9.45 a.m. on 12 January.

06.01.2012 Horki to lose about 1,000 trees in connection with “Dazhynki-2012” state festival

On 4 January representatives of the Horki administration held a “public discussion” concerning the maintenance of the territory of the town on the eve of the “Dazhynki-2012” festival which will take place in the city this year. The authorities decided to hold the discussion after local activists started collecting signatures against a massive felling of trees, planned by the authorities.

06.01.2012 Brest: court turns down appeal of “For Freedom!” activist

The Leninski District Court of Brest turned down the appeal of the local coordinator of the “For Freedom” movement, Dzianis Turchaniak, against actions of the deputy chairperson of the Brest City Executive Committee Viachaslau Khafizau, who refused to provide him with documents concerning the fate of a house on 17 Verasnia Street, which is a historical monument. The activists argues that such refusals violate the principle of publicity of the work of state bodies, enshrined in the Law “On Local Government and Self-government”.

06.01.2012 Mahiliou resident Aliaksei Paulouski loses his job again

The administration of the building organization “Pramzhylbud” informed the trade-union activist that his labor contract, expiring on 10 February, wouldn't be extended. No reasons were given, but Aliaksei Paulouski knows them: “I have always struggled with the administration of the organization to provide better conditions of work for workers. We work in anti-sanitary conditions, our working places are unattested. Masons are allowed to retire only when they turn 60 years old, but must be allowed to do it at 55, as the conditions of their work are considered to be harmful for the health.”

06.01.2012 Siarhei Kavalenka is not allowed to meet with his wife

Alena Kavalenka learned it from the investigator who deals with her husband's case. On 3 January she had filed an application for a meeting with Siarhei. However, on 5 Janury investigator Yury Volkau mocked at her, saying that in some cases complaints could be considered for up to 10 days.

06.01.2012 Brest Region Court turns down appeal of trade-union activists

Brest Region Court turned down the appeal of activists of the Free Trade Union of Belarus against the refusal of the Brest City Executive Committe to authorize its picket “For Worthy Work”.

06.01.2012 Brest: Ales Charkashyn warned by procuracy

On 4 January the Brest Region Procuracy issued an official warning to Ales Charkashyn, coordinator of the steering committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party in Brest. She had been summonsed to the procuracy back at the end of December 2011, but hadn't come there, being away from Brest.

06.01.2012 Yan Melnikau sentenced to 15 days of arrest

On 5 January Yan Melnikau was detained y the police in Minsk after posting several stickers “No Fear!”. The Leninski District Court sentenced him to 15 days of arrest under Articles 17.1 and 21.14 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, “disorderly conduct” and “violation of the urban maintenance rules”.

06.01.2012 Brest Region Court turns down appeal of BCD activists

On 6 January the Brest Region Court turned down the appeal of two activists of the steering committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, Zmitser Shurkhai and Ales Charkashyn, unlawfully arrested for five days on charges in using obscene language in public.