The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 27 Apr 2012

27.04.2012 Chernobyl Way protesters convicted in administrative trials

Minsk Savetski District Court has considered the administrative charges brought against seven protesters detained during yesterday’s Chernobyl Way march. Zmitser Shauliukevich, Mikola Dzemidzenka, Mikhail Muski and Raman Vasilyeu were sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest each.

27.04.2012 Belarusian MFA resists country’s accession to UN Convention on Enforced Disappearance

There is no need in Belarus’ signature of the UN International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, since its provisions are already enshrined in the domestic laws, says an official reply from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received by Mrs. Sviatlana Zavadskaya, the widow of Dzmitry Zavadski.

27.04.2012 Vitsebsk Regional Court turns down appeal against Freedom Day rally ban

On 26 April, the board of Vitsebsk regional Court dismissed a complaint lodged by local pro-democratic activists Khrystafor Zhaliapau, Aliaksei Haurutsikau and Yan Dziarzhautsau against an earlier ban on holding a rally and a meeting on Freedom Day (25 March) imposed by deputy chair of the city’s executive committee Uladzimir Shloma.

27.04.2012 Violations of trade union rights in Belarus on agenda of International Labor Organization`s meeting

The Conference Committee on the Application of Standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO) will look at violations of trade union rights in Belarus at a meeting to take place in Geneva between June 4 and 9.

27.04.2012 Krychau district prosecutor ignores appeals by independent journalists

Uladzimir Tryvaila, Prosecutor of Krychau district (Mahiliou region), has repeatedly ignored appeals by journalists of the Volny Horad independent newspaper, who have been requesting information on combating corruption and organized criminal activity.

27.04.2012 Authorities ban May Day meetings

Minsk city executive committee has not sanctioned an opposition meeting on 1 May, says Valery Ukhnaliou, deputy chairman of the United Leftist Party “Fair World”.

27.04.2012 Convicted anarchist denied meeting with mother

The administration of Ivatsevichy penal colony No. 22 has not allowed Aliaksandr Frantskevich’s meeting with his mother scheduled for 4 May.

27.04.2012 Pavel Sevyarynets denied release on parole again

The administration of the special detention facility confirmed Pavel Sevyarynets's certificate of good conduct.

27.04.2012 Young Front flat raided in Minsk

On April 26, unknown people penetrated into a flat rented by Young Front activists.

27.04.2012 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay: New restrictions on NGOs are undermining human rights

GENEVA (25 April 2012) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Wednesday expressed deep concern about current or recent moves in a number of countries to curtail the freedom of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society actors to operate independently and effectively. Pillay noted that freedom of association is under increasing pressure in many countries across the world. “Freedom of association is the lifeblood of NGOs,” she said. “Systemic legal or administrative attempts to curtail their activities can be very damaging.”

27.04.2012 40 detained in Chernobyl Way march

Some 40 protesters were reportedly detained and taken to police stations during yesterday’s Chernobyl Way opposition march. Most of the detained protesters were eventually released without charges.