The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 15 Jul 2013

15.07.2013 Review-Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Belarus in June 2013

June saw an apparent trend towards the worsening of the human rights situation in Belarus. Political prisoners were still kept in jail, and another name was added to their list after a 23-year-old resident of Navapolatsk, Andrei Haidukou, was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Thus: 12 political prisoners were kept in prison in June: Ihar Alinevich, Mikalai Autukhovich, Ales Bialiatski, Dzmitry Dashkevich, Mikalai Dziadok, Aliaksandr Frantskevich, Andrei Haidukou, Eduard Lobau, Artsiom Prakapenka, Pavel Seviarynets, Mikalai Statkevich and Yauhen Vaskovich.

15.07.2013 Baranavichy court supports ban on Milavidy feast

On 15 July the proceedings on the appeal of an activist of the civic campaign "Tell the Truth!" Viachaslau Bolbat against the actions of the Baranavichy Distrit Executive Committee continued at the Baranavichy City and District Court.

15.07.2013 Vasil Parfiankou faces new prison term

Vasil Parfiankou, involved in the case of the alleged riots in Minsk on 19 December 2010, was formally charged under Article 421 of the Criminal Code (failure to comply with the requirements of preventive supervision). On 12 July he was informed about it by an investigator of the Pershamaiski District Police Department of Minsk.

15.07.2013 Vitsebsk Regional Court dismisses Antanina Pivanos' complaint

The pensioner Antanina Pivanos is the author of an embroidery with the words "Our Father," who received an administrative punishment for coming to the center of Vitsebsk with this embroidery in 2008.

15.07.2013 Ashmiany: hearing on the confiscation of personal belongings from Mikalai Ulasevich postponed to 25 July

On 16 July the Ashmiany District Court was to have considered the lawsuit of Mikalai Ulasevich, a civic activist from the Astravets district, concerning the personal belongings which had been confiscated from him at the border crossing "Katlouka" back on 10 April 2011.

15.07.2013 Mikalai Statkevich is worried about Mikalai Dziadok and Yauhen Vaskovich

On 12 July the political prisoner, former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich phoned his wife Maryna Adamovich from prison No. 4 in Mahiliou. He told her about a case he witnessed in the prison.

15.07.2013 Round table on Article 193.1 and Aliaksei Shchadrou's case to be held 16 July

A round-table to discuss the institution of criminal proceedings under article 193.1 (activities on behalf of unregistered organization) against Aliaksei Shchadrou (who organize a shelter for homeless in his village) will start at 11 a.m. on 16 July in Charnysheuski Street, 3 in Minsk.

15.07.2013 Smaliavichy: ordinary citizens can hardly discuss the plan of the industrial park

Smaliavichy District Executive Committee provide all interested persons with an opportunity to see a detailed plan of the territory of the "Sino-Belarusian industrial park", placing the scheme on its website.

15.07.2013 Brest: family gets evicted before the final court verdict

The attempts of the Haduns to prove the groundlessneess of the Brest City Executive Committee about the poor state of house in Heroyau abarony Brestskai Krepastsi, 18, brought no resuults.

15.07.2013 Slonim authorities continue destroying the green zone

Slonim residents and local members of the association of democratic forces have been struggling against deforestation in the Albiartsin suburb in Voikau Street. The local authorities want to cut down the trees so that rich people and state officials could build cottages there. Earlier the cutdown was stopped. However, on 11 July it resumed and ten pine trees were cut.

15.07.2013 Mikalai Charnavus questioned about protest actions of entrepreneurs

On 12 July Baranavichy entrepreneur and civic activist Mikalai Charnavus was summoned to the Baranavichy City Police Department, where Deputy Chief Pavel Kulhavik questioned him for about 30 minutes about the unauthorized rallies of entrepreneurs on 27 June and 1-2 July.

15.07.2013 Solidarity postcards passed to Pavel Seviarynets

Following the monthly tradition, Biaroza activists visited the prisoner Pavel Seviarynets. They provided him with spring water, food and handed postcards from families who took part in the solidarity action "Week of Political Prisoners". Last week was dedicated to Pavel Seviarynets. Pavel thanked for the solidarity with him and for the kind words. He also said he had already received postcards from Brest.