The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 13 Jun 2012

13.06.2012 International human rights organizations stress the nead of appointing a UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus

A number of human rights organizations (Human Rights Center “Viasna”, Belarusian Human Rights House, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Human Rights House Foundation, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International) adopted a special statement describing the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and emphasizing the need of appointing a Special Rapporteur on Belarus at the UN.

13.06.2012 Hrodna: head of regional culture department combats “Belarusization”

The head of the culture bureau of the Hrodna Regional Executive Committee Aliaksandr Viarsotski submitted a special errand to the heads of the culture department of all district executive committees and cultural establishments of the Brest region.

13.06.2012 Brest activists struggle for historical buildings

The local coordinator of the Movement "For Freedom" Dzianis Turchaniak addressed members of the Brest Region Council with the request to abolish the ruling of the Brest City Executive Committee concerning the construction of a hotel complex in a place where some historical buildings are located.

13.06.2012 Slonim: court fines beaten activist of Belarusian Christian Democracy

On 12 June the trial over Volha Pansevich, a member of the steering committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, beaten by police this April, took place at the Slonim District Court.

13.06.2012 Problems of wheel-chair disabled

The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus guarantees the equality of rights to all social strata of the population. However, despite some measures and state programs, the inaccessibility of many social objects is still a daily issue for wheel-chair disabled.

13.06.2012 Political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou appeals his sentence

The activist of the civil campaign "European Belarus" Vasil Parfiankou filed an appeal with the Minsk City Court. He head been sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment as a participant of the peaceful post-election protests in the center of Minsk on 19 December 2010. He was granted parole in August 2011. However, in January 2012 the police established a prophylactic supervision over Mr. Parfiankou, and later he was sentenced to 6 months of arrest for violating its regime.

13.06.2012 Investigation committee refuses to investigate beating of teenager by police

The Investigation Committee refused to open a criminal case against policemen over beating a teen in the town of Kalinkavichy.

13.06.2012 Political prisoner Lobau restricted in number of visits and parcels

Eduard Lobau was punished in accordance with article 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code (discipline violations). RFE/RL learned it from Maryna Lobava, the mother of the political prisoner, who received a phone call from him.