The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 19 Nov 2012

19.11.2012 Yauhen Kanstantsinau: "After the visit of plainclothes men I had to quit job"

Navapolatsk activist Yauhen Kanstantsinau, head of the youth association "Union of Young Intellectuals", was the first who told reporters that on November 8 the Union’s deputy chairman Andrei Haidukou was arrested in Vitsebsk. The KGB accused Andrei Haidukou of intending to conclude an agreement with foreign intelligence services. Yauhen Kanstantsinau himself was visited by "people in civilian clothes".

19.11.2012 Baranavichy entrepreneur fined for charity lunch

Baranavichy entrepreneur Mikalai Charnavus was sentenced by the court of the city of Baranavichy and Baranavichy district to a fine of 3 million rubles. He was charged under Par. 2 of Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code of Belarus – "organizing and holding an unauthorized mass event".

19.11.2012 Homel tax authorities seek prosecution of human rights defender Leanid Sudalenka

The Home-based tax inspection will consider the charges brought against local human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka, after the authorities ordered the activist to submit an income declaration for five years, including the income received by his wife and son, who is currently serving in the army.

19.11.2012 Attempt to punish election riggers turns fruitless in Orsha

Orsha town police department sent a response to local coordinator of independent election observation campaign Mikalai Dziamidau, who demanded to prosecute election officials involved in fraud.

19.11.2012 “Freedom! Equality! Fraternity!” Mini-Documentary About Political Prisoner Mikalaj Dziadok

Mikalaj Dziadok is an anarchist. One of the reasons for his prosecution was a peaceful anti-military rally near the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence.

19.11.2012 KGB threatens to start criminal proceedings against BCD activist

Alyaksei Tyulkou receives threats that he may be brought to responsibility over article 193.1 of the Criminal Code.

19.11.2012 Plainclothesmen try to get into apartment of opposition politician Dzyanis Sadowski

Men in civilian clothes attempted to get into the apartment of Dzyanis Sadowski, executive secretary of Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD), in Minsk on Monday morning.

19.11.2012 ILO may call to sanctions against Lukashenka

The International Labour Organization (ILO) may respond to the crackdown on Belarusian trade unions.

19.11.2012 Mahiliou authorities ban street rally

The official reason for the denial of the mass gathering expected to be held on 11 November was the fact that the organizer failed to undertake the obligations required in the law.

19.11.2012 Valiantsin Stefanovich: "Viasna" will continue its work in all circumstances

It was reported on Saturday that the confiscation of the office of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" was scheduled for November 26. Human rights defenders stress that the news was not a surprise for the activists of the organization and they would continue their work in all circumstances.