The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 29 Jan 2013

29.01.2013 Viasna to Barys Bukhel: “Keep Up Good Work, Colleague!”

The Human Rights Center “Viasna” is sending congratulations to its Mahiliou activist Barys Bukhel on receiving the “Person of the Year” award from the “Mahiliouski Mahistrat” civil community. The award is the result of Barys Bukhel’s persistent activities for the protection of human rights.

29.01.2013 Hrodna Regional Court turns down appeal by local human rights defenders

Hrodna Regional Court considered today a complaint by Hrodna human rights defenders Viktar Sazonau, Raman Yurhel and Uladzimir Khilmanovich. On January 5, Judge Vital Liatsko of Leninski District Court sentenced the activists to a fine of 500,000 each for posting a photo on the Internet, where the activists were shown holding the portraits of political prisoner Ales Bialiatski.

29.01.2013 Mikalai Ulasevich’s judicial marathon

Hrodna Regional Court considered today an appeal lodged by civil society activist Mikalai Ulasevich to contest an earlier decision of Astravets District Court, which found him guilty of an administrative offense and fined 4 mln rubles back in December 2012 as a result of as many as nine trials.

29.01.2013 Granit plant administration continues scaring workers

Two drivers of Mikashevichy-based Granit plant were fined 700,000 rubles each for missing a meeting of the plant commission.

29.01.2013 Belarusian Wall (video)

A short movie was posted on the internet about the Belarusian politically imprisoned anarchists.

29.01.2013 Iryna Khalip applies for leaving Belarus

Iryna Khalip asks permission to leave for the UK and Russia.

29.01.2013 The parliament will toughen the law on political parties

The House of Representatives will examine amendments to the laws on political parties and public associations.

29.01.2013 Human rights defenders petition President to demand unbiased assessment of police-related violence case

The private cultural and educational institution “Platforma Innovation” addressed President Aliaksandr Lukashenka with an open letter, demanding an unbiased and fair investigation into the case of alleged beating a guard of a Minsk-based parking lot Vasil Sarochyk by policemen, the BelaPAN news agency reports.

29.01.2013 Brest activists campaign for return to practice of public debate

The Brest-based “Humanitarny Most” (“Humanitarian Bridge”) cultural and educational association supports calls by other non-government organizations to secure the right of citizens to participate in decision-making relating to the development and improvement of towns and cities.

29.01.2013 Svislach activists submit complaints to UN Human Rights Committee

Viktar Dzesiatsik and Anatol Valiuk, civil society activists from the town of Svislach, Hrodna region, have submitted complaints to the UN Human Rights Committee to demand unbiased consideration of their cases ignored by Belarusian courts.

29.01.2013 Siarhei Malashenka fined 2.5 mln for solidarity with Bialiatski

Navapolatsk Town Court sentenced today local pro-democratic activist Siarhei Malashenka to a fine of 2.5 mln rubles. It was another sentence for an action staged by local activists, who following the example of Hrodna human rights defenders, took pictures with portraits of Ales Bialiatski in their hands. After the photos of Yauhen Parchynski and Siarhei Malashenka were posted online, both were charged with illegal picketing.

29.01.2013 Viasna activists express solidarity with Hrodna colleagues

Representatives of the central office of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” have held an action of solidarity with Hrodna human rights defenders – Viasna members Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Belarusian Helsinki Committee activist Raman Yurhel – to express their support ahead of today’s consideration of an appeal against an absurd ruling by Hrodna Leninski District Court.