The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for March 2013

06.03.2013 Criminal case brought against five Lida policemen

A criminal case under Article 426, part 2 (abuse of authority or duty powers, committed by an official holding a responsible position, or which ensued grave consequences, or deliberate commitment by a duty official of actions which evidently exceed the rights and powers, given to them at service, accompanied with violence, suffering or insult of the victim, or the use of arms and police gear."

06.03.2013 Minsk City Court upholds 5-day arrest to Henik Loika

Minsk City Court considered the appeal of sculptor Henik Loika against the verdict of Liudmila Lapo, Judge of Frinzenski District Court of Minsk. Let us remind that Mr. Loika had been punished with 5 days of arrest for an action in support of the Belarusian language held by him on the International Mother Language Day, 21 February. The formal reason for the verdict was that he had unfurled a banner with the inscription "Let me congratulate you on the International Mother Language Day! Gymnasium #4 used to be the last Belarusian-language school!"

06.03.2013 Head of Vitsebsk branch of "For Freedom" movement demands that the police and medics abide by the law

The head of Vitsebsk regional branch of the "For Freedom" movement Khrystafor Zhaliapau filed a lawsuit to Kastrychnitski District Court of Vitsebsk against the refusal of Vitsebsk city polyclinic to conclude an agreement for serving the Freedom Day rally.

06.03.2013 Supreme Court files protest to Homel Region Court on appeal of "Fair World" activist

A member of the "Fair World" Valery Rybchanka received an answer from the Supreme Court concerning the conditions in the remand prison of Buda-Kashaliova.

06.03.2013 Supreme Court finds nothing wrong with the building of a commercial drugstore

The appeal to this court instance was the last hope for dwellers of house 32 in Frantsysk Skaryna Quay against the construction works in their house which they considered as unlawful.

06.03.2013 Baranavichy: Siarhei Housha applies to UN Human Rights Committee

On 5 March Mr. Housha applied to the United Nations Human Rights Committee to inform it about the following situation.

05.03.2013 Still no publicity in investigation into Andrei Haidukou's case

A month ago the relatives of the arrested activist learned that the term of the investigation was extended to March. A month passed, but nothing cleared: Haidukou's parents still know nothing about what awaits their son – whether he will be tried soon or the investigation will continue further.

05.03.2013 Uladzimir Yaromenak's case to be reconsidered

On 15 January 2013 Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk found the "Young Front" activist Uladzimir Yaromenak guilty of a repeated violation of the norms of preventive supervision and punished with 12 days of arrest.

05.03.2013 Minsk Region Court upholds drafting of Pavel Siarhei

The panel of judges referred to the absence of laws on alternative civilian service and the groundlessness of the draftee's statements that he couldn't serve in the army because of his religious views.

05.03.2013 Belarusian human rights defenders: "Freedom to Bahrain!

On 4 March Belarusian human rights defenders expressed their solidarity with President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and Deputy Secretary General of FIDH Nabeel Rajab who is serving a two-year prison term for actions in support of the right to peaceful assemblies.

05.03.2013 Critical Situation for Political Prisoners in Belarus and Freedom for 40 Activists Considerably Restricted

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its Belarusian member organization, Human Rights Center Viasna, are outraged at the large-scale and systematic acts of repression being inflicted upon both political prisoners and individuals whose freedom has been restricted for political reasons. It hereby releases a document detailing this repression and calls upon the regime to cease its oppressive behavior.

04.03.2013 Amnesty International: Ales Bialiatski supported by about 100,000 people

Amnesty International summed up the results of the world letter marathon in support of Ales Bialiatski. All in all, 104,731 actions were taken to support the Belarusian human rights defender who was declared a prisoner of conscience by this authoritative international organization.

04.03.2013 Andrei Pachobut is threatened with imprisonment

Andrei Pachobut was officially warned about the inadmissibility of participation in an "unauthorized event" on 11 March.

04.03.2013 Homel: prayer within the framework of "Solidarity Wave" held under vigilant watch of "observers in civvies"

On 3 March in Homel members of the the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party held a prayer in support of political prisoners and handed out informational materials about the Belarusian citziens who are kept in jail because of their convictions, civil and political activities.

04.03.2013 Brest: work of members of regional council kept in secret

Liudmila Dzenisenka, the head of Brest city organization of the Belarusian Leftist Party "Fair World", received a runaround from the head of Brest Region Council Siarhei Ashmiantsau.