The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for June 2013

21.06.2013 Entrepreneurs on strike in Pinsk

Entrepreneurs have started a wildcat strike in Pinsk.

21.06.2013 Hannes Swoboda: Compromise is inadmissible in the issue of the release of political prisoners

Steps towards the Belarusian authorities may only be taken after the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.

21.06.2013 Baranavichy activist appeals ban on Milavidy Festival

An activist of the civil campaign “Tell the Truth”, Viachaslau Bolbat, filed yesterday a complaint with the district court of Baranavichy and Baranavichy district to challenge the actions of the district executive committee, which, according to the activist, twice illegally banned an educational and cultural event entitled “Milavidy Festival – In Memory of the Kasiniery of 1863.”

21.06.2013 3 policemen face charges after “physical violence” report in Krychau

Three employees of Krychau district police department are suspected of using physical violence in the premises of the police station, the Volny Horad independent newspaper reports.

21.06.2013 “Spy case” is falling apart despite trial’s being secretive

The “spy case”, which KGB was so encouraged to lead against an operator of Navapolatsk’s Naftan Andrej Hajdukou, has come to an end, it seems. Another case will be there instead. Vakulchyk informed journalists about that on 19 June.

20.06.2013 Shchuchyn resident faces criminal charges under Art. 193.1

Aliaksei Shchadrou, a Catholic believer of the village of Aliaksandrauka, Shchuchyn district, is facing charges under Art. 193.1 of the Criminal Code (activities on behalf of an unregistered organization). The criminal case was initiated after Aliaksei Shchadrou opened an asylum for the homeless in his home village.

20.06.2013 Belarusian human rights defenders discuss Paleckis’s report in Brussels

The European Parliament hosted yesterday a meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights to discuss the human rights situation in Belarus, and draft recommendations on the European Union policy in respect of Belarus, based on a report by the MEP Justas Paleckis.

19.06.2013 Shchuchyn: representatives of Union of Poles sentenced to fines (photos)

Shchuchyn District Court heard today the administrative cases against the leader of the Union of Poles in Belarus Mieczyslaw Jaskiewicz and member of the organization Wieranika Siebascianowicz. Both were charged with organizing an unauthorized mass event.

19.06.2013 Prosecutor general defends death penalty

Opponents of the death penalty have resumed their “wailing” after the imposition of new death sentences, Prosecutor General Alyaksandr Kanyuk told the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

19.06.2013 Ministry of Internal Affairs promises to address flaws in work with citizens

Brest activist of the movement “For Freedom” Inha Abramava received a reply to her appeal to the Minister of Internal Affairs Ihar Shunevich, in which she drew attention to the shortcomings of the employees of the government agency.

19.06.2013 MFA refuses to recognize decision by UN Human Rights Committee

Human rights defenders Siarhei Housha, Viktar Syrytsa and Viktar Meziak received yesterday a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed by deputy Minister Valiantsin Rybakou, as a reply to their statement demanding information on the implementation of a decision taken by the UN Human Rights Committee on their complaint.

19.06.2013 Charges changed for Haidukou?

KGB chief Vakulchyk said Andrei Haidukou may be tried not for violating article 356 of the Criminal Code (treason).

18.06.2013 State TV reveals name of latest death convict

The state-owned TV channel “Belarus-1” showed a story, telling the circumstances of the murder of a student in Homel. It was committed by a 25-year-old Aliaksandr Harunou.

18.06.2013 Valiantsin Stefanovich petitions head of state TV company over discrimination of death convict

On June 1, the state-run TV channel “Belarus-1” in showed in a program “Secrets of Investigation” a story which told about the murder in Mahiliou prison. In this story, which told the audience about the circumstances of the murder committed by Ryhor Yuzepchuk and his accomplice, who killed their cellmate, in the context of the negative characteristics of the person that repeatedly stated his nationality.

18.06.2013 KGB and Interior Ministry launch probe into “physical violence” by Krychau police

According to the Krychau-based Volny Horad independent newspaper, the Interior Security Department of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as the KGB’s regional office, have launched an investigation into physical violence reportedly used by policemen at Krychau district police department.