The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 13 Feb 2012

13.02.2012 Builder Aliaksei Paulouski dismissed from work

On 9 February the labor contract of Aliaksei Paulouski with the building organization “Pramzhylbud” expired. The administration of the organization decided not to extend it. Being a member of the independent trade union, Aliaksei struggled for the improvement of the work conditions and the rights of workers, including the earlier retirement from work due to the harmful work conditions.

13.02.2012 Vitsebsk: criminal case can be instigated against Siarhei Ryzhou

Siarhei Ryzhou, pretender to the presidential position at the latest presidential election, was dismissed from work after participation in the electoral campaign and has been unable to find a job since that time, even though he is registered at the social employment center.

13.02.2012 Three activists of “European Belarus” detained in Dziarzhynsk

The activists of the “European Belarus” Uladzimir Dzenisevich, Anatol Zhuletnikau and Aliaksandr Tarnahurski were detained at 1.30 p.m. on 11 February, while trying to hang out a streamer with the inscription “Freedom to Bialiatski!”.

13.02.2012 Siarhei Kavalenka’s life is in danger

The political prisoner’s health is in critical condition.

13.02.2012 Custom officers seize Andrei Bandarenka’s laptop

Andrei Bandarenka, the head of Platform organization was ordered to get off the train by customs officers when he was returning from Warsaw to Minsk on Sunday.

13.02.2012 Belarusian TV accuses Poland of organizing coup d’etat in Belarus

Belarus-1 TV channel showed one more “investigation” carried out by the TV Infoservice.

13.02.2012 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in January 2012

In January the human rights situation in Belarus remained critical. 15 prisoners convicted for their political and social activities remained behind bars. The appellate court left in force the verdict to the head of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" Ales Bialiatski. It became known that torture and ill-treatment were used towards another political prisoner, former presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau, with the aim to make him apply to the head of the state for pardon. As a result, he filed such a petition. Political prisoners Mikalai Autukhovich and Mikalai Statkevich were tried for alleged violations of the prison regime. As a result, the conditions of their imprisonment were toughened.