The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for January 2013

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.

28.01.2013 Belarus still ignores decisions by UN Human Rights Committee

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refused to recognize another decision by the UN Human Rights Committee, says Vitsebsk human rights defender Pavel Levinau, who urged the Foreign Ministry to inform him when the officials would implement the Committee’s decision on his complaint, adopted at the 105th session of the Committee in July 2012.

28.01.2013 Ongoing harassment of independent trade union activists at Granite enterprise

Siarhei Katsuba, driver at the “Granite” state-owned enterprise, is urged to leave the independent trade union, Radio Racyja reports. Katsuba said that if he did not leave the union, he might lose his job.

28.01.2013 Dzieciuki concert banned in Minsk

A possible reason for the ban is an interview with charter97.org website.

28.01.2013 Mahiliou court upholds picket ban

The Court of Mahiliou Leninski District dismissed today a lawsuit brought by Uladzimir Shantsau, local leader of the United Civil Party, to challenge a ban on holding a picket imposed by the city executive committee.

28.01.2013 UN Human Rights Committee expects measures taken in Kavaliou’s case

Mrs. Liubou Kavaliova, the mother of Uladzislau Kavaliou executed in March 2012, received a communication from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights saying that the UN officials are expecting information from the Belarusian government on measures taken to implement the Human Rights Committee’s decision in her son’s case. The information should be submitted by July 3, 2013.

25.01.2013 Compulsory subscription to Sovetskaya Belorussia newspaper at Babushkina Krynka factory

Employees of Bykhau-based branch of Babushkina Krynka dairy factory were made to subscribe to Sovetskaya Belorussia newspaper.

25.01.2013 BAJ Petitions to Change Media Law in Belarus

On January 22 Zhanna Litvina and Andrei Bastunets referred BAJ’s recommendations on the “Law on mass media” to representatives of the National Assembly.

25.01.2013 Andrei Haidukou’s mother worried about counsel’s limited access to her son

Independent media coverage of the so-called “spying case” of Andrei Haidukou gives hope for his release, says the mother of the 23-year-old operator of Navapolatsk-based “Naftan” oil refinery, accused of “treason through intelligence activities.”

25.01.2013 Front Line Defenders' 2013 Annual Report on Global Trends for Human Rights Defenders Published

On 23 January 2013 Front Line Defenders released its fourth Annual Report on Global Challenges facing Human Rights Defenders around the World in 2012.

24.01.2013 Young Front member Uladzimir Yaromenak arrested for 12 days for violation of supervision

The Young Front activist will serve his sentence at the Minsk-based Delinquents Isolation Center in Akrestsin Street, the Young Front’s press-service reports.

24.01.2013 BCD Navapolatsk activists stand trial for taking pictures with Bialiatski’s portrait (updated)

Yauhen Parchynski and Siarhei Malashonak, Navapolatsk activists of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, are expected to stand trial today for illegal picketing. Local police says the evidence of the offense are the photos showing the activists with Ales Bialiatski’s portrait posted on a number of independent sites. Thus, the situation repeats that of Hrodna, where human rights defenders stood trial and were fined for doing the same thing.

24.01.2013 MEP Marek Migalski writes to Belarus’ MFA to request meeting with political prisoners

Member of the European Parliament Marek Migalski, who initiated a campaign of solidarity with two Belarusian political prisoners – leader of the “Young Front” Zmitser Dashkevich and former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich – has addressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking for an opportunity to meet with them in prison.

24.01.2013 Homel human rights defenders appeal ban on picket in support of Bialiatski to Supreme Court

Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny, Leanid Sudalenka and former chairman of the city executive committee Sviatlana Holdade filed a joint complaint to Chairman of the Supreme Court Valiantsin Sukala, urging the high official to overturn the decision by local executive authorities to ban a picket expected to be held on August 4, 2012 as part of a campaign in support of human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, www.gomelspring.org reports.