The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 12 Sep 2012

12.09.2012 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in July-August 2012

In July and August, the human rights situation in Belarus deteriorated. Hopes for an easing of the political climate at the time of the parliamentary election campaign were not justified. None of the thirteen political prisoners were released. Moreover, new names were added to the list.

12.09.2012 Friends and relatives of opposition candidate threatened with dismissals

According to Aliaksandr Shylovich, candidate running for Parliament in Slutsk constituency No. 67, some of his relatives and friends working at state-owned enterprises have received threats from their employees.

12.09.2012 European Belarus activist Andrei Mouchan fined

The administrative commission of Minsk Pershamaiski District has fined Andrei Mouchan, activist of the European Belarus opposition movement, BYR 500,000 for alleged violating of Art. 21.14 of the Administrative Code (“violation of municipal utility regulations”).

12.09.2012 Ryhor Kastusiou appeals abuse of administrative resources by pro-government candidate

Ryhor Kastusiou, candidate representing the Belarusian Popular Front in Shklou constituency No. 90, has lodged a complaint with the Central Election Commission, saying that “candidate A. Aheyeu has abused administrative resources” to canvass for votes.

12.09.2012 Minsk authorities ban another picket

Minsk city executive committee has banned a picket applied for by a civil campaign against lawlessness of courts and prosecuting authorities.

12.09.2012 Viasna’s lawyers on new “creative idea” by police

For quite a long time now, the harassment of activists of pro-democratic public organizations through charging them with an administrative offence has been to human rights defenders some kind of a "standard": people keep being taken to courts almost every day. Of especially concern to the human rights defenders is the traditional sentencing of activists and participants of peaceful rallies on charges of "petty hooliganism" (Art. 17.1 of the Administrative Code).

12.09.2012 Brest: disloyal candidates face obstacles

The owners of a number of stores in Brest have been reluctant to allow posting election leaflets in their windows, observers of the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections campaign report.

12.09.2012 Rechytsa state-owned printing firm blames equipment for failing to produce alternative candidate’s fliers

Representatives of the Rechytsa-based “Tytul” state-owned printing firm say the company will only be able to produce 5,000 out of 10,000 election leaflets ordered by local alternative candidate Anton Niafiodau. The firm managers say the amount is sure to spoil the printer.

12.09.2012 Vitsebsk candidate searched at border again

Alena Famina, member of the Social Democratic Party “Narodnaya Hramada” running for Parliament in Vitsebsk constituency No. 17, has been searched today by the Belarusian customs officials, as she was going to Vilnius.

12.09.2012 Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections meet OSCE PA observers

Yesterday, representatives of the “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” campaign have had a meeting with members of the election observation mission deployed by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The meeting was also attended by Co-ordinator of the OSCE short-term observer mission Mateo Mecacci.

12.09.2012 Mazyr HR defender: What is legitimate for international observers, is not legitimate for national ones

Having studied the interim report on election observation produced by the CIS’s mission, Mazyr human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun, referring to his personal experience as a long-term observer, argues that it is not so “calm” and “in compliance with the Electoral Code” as the mission’s report claims.