The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for March 2012

30.03.2012 FIDH and Viasna joint statement on political persecution of Siarhei Kavalenka

On 24 February 2012, the Pervomaisk District Court in Vitebsk sentenced opposition activist Siarhei Kavalenka to two years and one month imprisonment, having found him guilty of evading serving a punishment of supervised release.

30.03.2012 Bykhau police chief denies prosecution for forgery

An investigator of Bykhau district police has refused to initiate prosecution of policeman Vital Vashchyla for alleged falsification of signature in administrative charges brought against local resident Aliaksandr Shachanok, despite the fact that two expert examinations stated the signature did not belong to Mr. Shachanok.

30.03.2012 Valery Shchukin fined BYR 1,190,000

Orsha court has found human rights defender Valery Shchukin guilty of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and fined him BYR 1,190,000.

30.03.2012 European Parliament publishes full text of critical resolution on Belarus

The European Parliament (EP) has published the full text of its critical resolution on Belarus that was adopted on March 29.

30.03.2012 Former prisoner appeals detention conditions

Mrs. Alena Dubovik, detained by riot police during a benefit concert in Minsk on 24 March and sentenced to three days of arrest, has lodged a complaint with the city’s prosecuting authorities against illegal actions by the police during her arrest and the poor detention conditions in Minsk detention center in Akrestsin Street.

30.03.2012 Human rights defender Shchukin detained in Orsha

Human rights defender Valery Shchukin was detained by Orsha police in the court building where three key opposition leaders stood trial yesterday.

29.03.2012 Hunger strike caused irreversible damage to Kavalenka's health, wife says

Syarhey Kavalenka's wife has sounded an alarm over the rapidly deteriorating health of the imprisoned opposition activist, saying that his lengthy hunger strike has already caused "irreversible" damage to his internal organs.

29.03.2012 Belarus Opposition Activists Freed From Jail, But Passports Held

MINSK -- Three opposition activists in Belarus have been released from jail, a day after they were arrested while trying to travel to Brussels to meet European Union officials.

29.03.2012 Mahiliou court supports age discrimination in employment

Mahiliou Regional Court has upheld an earlier decision by a district court, who turned down an appeal against age discrimination lodged by local resident Vasil Lipski, after his employment contract terminated.

29.03.2012 Dashkevich still in punishment cell

A lawyer had a meeting with Dashekevich, a political prisoner and Young Front leader.

29.03.2012 Mahiliou police deny fraud in local resident’s lawsuit against employer

Mahiliou police do not admit false information was reported to the KGB by the manager of the Preston shopping center Mr. Pashuryn who demanded prosecution of entrepreneur Mrs. Liudmila Krylovich for reportedly plotting a political-motivated strike.

28.03.2012 Ales Bialiatski enrolled in sewing brigade in prison

The head of the Human Rights Centre "Viasna" Ales Bialiatski has sent his first letter after a two week's silence.

28.03.2012 Babruisk pro-dem activist sues employer over dismissal

Babruisk resident Kanstantsin Loktseu was fired on 17 January after taking part in the organization of last year’s People’s Assembly opposition rally and a subsequent conviction for alleged violations of the Mass Events Code.

28.03.2012 Two more independent journalists warned by prosecuting officials

Alina Radachynskaya and Volha Chaichyts, members of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, have received official warnings from Minsk City Prosecutor’s Office for illegal contribution to the Poland-based Belsat TV channel, BAJ’s press-service reports.

Zavadski’s widow, HR defender campaign for ratification of International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

28.03.2012 Zavadski’s widow, HR defender campaign for ratification of International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

Sviatlana Zavadskaya, widow of TV cameraman Dzmitry Zavadski who disappeared and was later murdered in 2000, her current husband Siarhei Bakhun, as well as Brest human rights defender Raman Kisliak, have addressed the Belarusian Council of Ministers with a demand to sign the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and to urge the Belarusian Parliament to ratify the treaty.