The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 26 Mar 2013

26.03.2013 Trial against Syarhei Kavalenka postponed until Friday

The trial against Vitebsk opposition activist Syarhei Kavalenka was postponed until Friday.

26.03.2013 Homel police enumerates Roma, asking about their nicknames

The staff of Savetski district police department of Homel are reportedly visiting houses and apartments of Roma residents and checking on their personal data. The policemen ask about the distinguishing characteristics of each person, and require to include not only their names, but nicknames, as well.

26.03.2013 Human rights defender Raman Kisliak petitions Prosecutor General

Lawyer and human rights activist Raman Kisliak urges Prosecutor General to investigate the activities of police in Vitsebsk region, after Kanstantsin Smolikau and Leanid Autukhou were detained awaiting trial for more than 48 hours.

26.03.2013 Babruisk: Administration of state-owned enterprise supports only official trade union

The administration of the Babruisk-based Plant of Tractor Parts and Units (PTPU) continues to harass members of the independent trade union. Lately, the workers have been baited with financial rewards. Mikhail Kavalkou, chairman of the FTU’s local office, says that employees were promised payment up to one million rubles for leaving the independent trade union.

26.03.2013 Officials accuse Salihorsk Belarusian Language Society of unauthorized activities

An attempt by the Salihorsk town office of the Belarusian Language Society to celebrate Freedom Day was estimated as non-statutory activities by local authorities.

26.03.2013 Illustrations to Universal Declaration of Human Rights presented at opening of Belarusian Culture week in Vilnius

The illustrations were made by artist Volha Baburyna of Maladechna. The artworks in the technique of Vycinanka illustrate each article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights The event was held in Vilnius Town Hall.

26.03.2013 Freedom Day in Vitsebsk: detentions, trials, arrests, fines

BPF activist Kanstantsin Smolikau and Leanid Autukhou stood trial that lasted for 9 hours. Judge Ina Hrabouskaya pronounced her verdict at about 9 p.m. yesterday: she ruled to punish the two activists with 5 days of arrest each for alleged violation of the legislation on mass rallies. In addition, four activists of the Belarusian Christian Democracy and head of the BPF’s city office Aliaksandr Kuzniatsou were detained on their way to the court. The latter was eventually sentenced to a fine for an alleged traffic violation.

26.03.2013 Minsk court convicts Freedom Day demonstrators

The Court of Minsk Savetski District sentenced last evening the activists detained during the Freedom Day rally on 24 March, including three Ukrainian nationals and one minor.

26.03.2013 Belarus asked Microsoft about 35 Skype accounts

The US software giant was approached by Belarus officials over users' details, says company's 2012 report.

26.03.2013 Syarhey Kavalenka Arrested Again

VITSEBSK, Belarus -- Prominent Belarusian opposition activist Syarhey Kavalenka was arrested in the eastern city of Vitsebsk on March 25.

26.03.2013 Nina Bahinskaja detained in Minsk

A civic activist Nina Bahinskaja was detained in Minsk, when she went out to Niezalezhnasci square with a white-red-whote flag.

26.03.2013 Arche's bank account unblocked

A criminal case following an audit of the magazine's finances will not be initiated. BelaPAN news agency has learnt it from acting editor of the magazine Ales Pashkevich.