The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 15 Mar 2013

15.03.2013 Court confirms that ruling of Vitsebsk City Executive Committee is unimplementable

Vitsebsk activists were again trying to implement the ruling of Vitsebsk City Executive Committee "On holding mass events in Vitsebsk", according to which the organizers of mass events had to conclude service agreements with the public utilities, police and the central polyclinic.

15.03.2013 Freedom Day procession is authorized, but the use of flags and posters is banned

Minsk City Executive Committee authorized the meeting and procession in honor of Freedom Day on 24 March. However, the place of gathering was transferred to the ground in front of "Kastrychnik" cinema.

15.03.2013 Constitution of Belarus was adopted 19 years ago

Today, Belarus celebrates a national holiday, Constitution Day.

15.03.2013 Preventive supervision over Uladz Yaromenak extended for six months

The appropriate decision was taken by Pershamaiski District Court in Minsk on 15 March.

15.03.2013 Dzmitry Kanavalau's family may refrain from any contacts because of threats on the part of security services

A year ago the death verdict to Uladzislau Kavaliou and Dzmitry Kanavalau was executed. Liubou Kavaliova has been struggling for the right to bury his son ever since.

15.03.2013 "Detention of journalists was justified"

The Investigative Committee refused to bring a criminal case on the fact of the detention of members of the Belarusian Association of Journalists.

15.03.2013 Constitution Day action in Homel held under vigilant supervision of police

On 15 March Homel oppositionists held an action in honor of the Constitution Day. They went to the stops of the public transport with copies of the Constitution of 1994 and the newspaper "Narodnaya Volia" (as a symbol of free press).

15.03.2013 Members of Brest City Council are urged to publish their contact information for electors

The heads of Brest branches of political parties and civil associations filed an appropriate appeal to the head of Brest City Council Henadz Masko.

15.03.2013 Mahiliou police prevent "Young Christian Democrats" from holding street action

The activists intended to hand out copies of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus with a posted photo of Aliaksandr Lukashenka, swearing on the Constitution under a white-red-white flag in 1994.

15.03.2013 Siarhei Housha managed to get his cassation appeal considered after five months

On 14 March Baranavichy human rights defender Siarhei Housha received by mail a ruling of the head of the Supreme Court of Belarus Valiantsin Sukala abolishing the refusal of a judge of Brest Region Court (dated 4 October 2012) to consider his cassation appeal due to the alleged expiry of the terms of consideration.

15.03.2013 Vitsebsk dwellers demand publicity in "budget issue"

Aliaksandr Mikulin, an activist of 'Tell the Truth", and Anatol Hneuka, the head of Vitsebsk regional branch of the National organization of victims of accident at Chernobyl NPP, veteran of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) filed a letter to Vitsebsk City Council and Vitsebsk City Executive Committee, asking to publish information about the city budget for 2013 and distribution of the budget means at the website of the executive committee.