The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for March 2013

22.03.2013 Artsiom Prakapenka sent to penal cell for five days

The parents of the political prisoner visited their son in the penitentiary colony number 15 in Mahilou. Anatol Prakapenka, the father of politically imprisoned Artsiom Prakapenka (in the photograph), told that to the charter97.org web-site.

22.03.2013 Officer Siarhei Vazniak (video)

Another mini-movie from the series “Chronicles of Judgment Time” appeared on the Internet. The documentary is dedicated to one of the leaders of the party “Fair World” Siarhei Vazniak, politically repressed during the presidential campaign in 2010.

22.03.2013 Detentions in Vitsebsk

Vitsebsk police detained today activists of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Leanid Autukhou and Kastus Smolikau while distributing leaflets with an invitation to come to the rally on March 25.

22.03.2013 Homel civil activist appeals picket ban

Homel city executive committee has banned a picket applied for by the coordinator of the civil initiative “Stop drinking – Live Instead” Dzmitry Karashkou. The picket was expected to attract public attention to the problem of alcohol abuse.

22.03.2013 Adoption of an unprecedented resolution at the UN to end the financial strangulation of human rights NGOs

Today, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council gave a strong response to the increasing trend of curtailing - when not criminalizing - the activities of human rights defenders by limiting their right to access funding, especially when they come from foreign countries. The Council adopted by consensus an unprecedented resolution, introduced by Norway and co-sponsored by 62 States, affirming that “no law should criminalise or de-legitimise activities in defence of human rights on account of the origin of funding”.

21.03.2013 Journalist Denied Access to a Building Yard of the Nuclear Station in Astravets

Correspondent of Radio Svaboda Mikhail Karnevich provided all required documents to the Management of the worksite of Astravets nuclear station; however, he was not allowed to enter the site.

21.03.2013 Slonim police warn activist ahead of Freedom Day celebrations

Ivan Sheha, leader of Slonim pro-democratic forces, received a written warning from the police department, warning against “violating the procedures of organizing and holding mass events or pickets.”

21.03.2013 Valiantsin Stefanovich: MEPs should seek meetings with political prisoners

During his meeting with the Lithuanian MEP Justas Paleckis, Valiantsin Stefanovich, Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, raised the issue of political prisoners. “I referred to our joint report with the International Federation for Human Rights, which has recently been prepared. We talked mainly about the situation of political prisoners. But not only about that,” said Valiantsin Stefanovich in his comments to Radio Racyja.

21.03.2013 Freedom Day picket banned in Salihorsk

Salihorsk district executive committee banned the March 24 rally in commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic – Freedom Day.

20.03.2013 Uladzimir Yaromenak taken to hospital

Uladzimir Yaromenak, activist of the Young Front youth opposition movement, was taken to hospital, after his condition deteriorated as a result of a trial he stood today, press-service of the "Young Front" reports.

20.03.2013 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to consider release and rehabilitation of political prisoners in its activities in Belarus

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) published on 12 March a new strategy for the Republic of Belarus designed for the next three years. It is noteworthy that the development of the concept paper was contributed to by representatives of Belarusian civil society.

20.03.2013 Baranavichy authorities ban picket on 95th anniversary of Belarusian People’s Republic

Activist Viktar Syrytsa received today a letter signed by the deputy chairman of the executive committee of Baranavichy Dzmitry Kastsiukevich. It reports that the city authorities do not give permission for the rally on March 25, 2013, dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the independence of the Belarusian People's Republic.

20.03.2013 “Young Front” activist Uladzimir Yaromenak gets three more days of arrest

The court of Minsk Pershamaiski District reconsidered today the case of the activist of “Young Front” Uladzimir Yaromenak, who was previously sentenced to an arrest for violation of preventive supervision. Disagreeing with the previous sentence (12 days in jail), Yaromenak appealed it at Minsk City Court.

20.03.2013 Court in Brest turns down lawsuit by independent journalist to protect honor and dignity

The court of Maskouski District of Brest announced today its judgment in the case of independent journalist Milana Kharytonava, who filed a lawsuit against reporter Uladzimir Minevich of the state newspaper “Brestskiy Vestnik”.

20.03.2013 Employer in Polatsk unwilling to reinstate trade union activist

The Polatsk Town Court held yesterday a preliminary hearing on the suit lodged by Viktar Stukau, activist of the Free Trade Union, who was sacked by his employer at the Polatsk-Shklovalakno state-owned enterprise. The parties have had the opportunity to come to terms, if the company’s administration supported the demands brought by the activist. However, this did not happen, and the trial will continue.