The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for July 2013

24.07.2013 Svetlahorsk resident seeks prosecution of policemen responsible for her son’s death

After a year of fruitless appeals submitted to various authorities, Mrs. Valiantsina Akulich came for help to the Human Rights Center "Viasna". After consulting Viasna’s lawyers, she sent to the prosecutor of Svetlahorsk district a complaint against the order of Senior Investigator at Svetlahorsk regional department of the Investigative Committee Uladzimir Piatochanka who refused to open a criminal investigation into the death of her son, Aliaksandr Akulich.

24.07.2013 BAJ: as long as people in Belarus are held criminally liable for their opinions, nobody can feel free!

The Board of BAJ made a statement on the occasion of termination of several criminal cases regarding several BAJ members.

23.07.2013 Zhlobin District Court acquits Fair World member

A three-year saga of the case of Yauhen Basareuski ended on July 19, as Zhlobin District Court acquitted the member of the Fair World party, as well as his former colleague Mrs. Valiantsina Kastsiukevich, both charged under Article 424 of the Criminal Code ("abuse of power or of a position of authority"). Judge Alena Yarmolchyk, unlike her colleague Ina Sharshniova, had enough courage and conscience to dismiss the case, which had a political tinge from the very beginning.

23.07.2013 BCD Mahiliou activist appeals warning for illegal party membership

Aleh Aksionau, activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, lodged today an appeal to the Board on Civil Cases of Mahiliou Regional Court.

23.07.2013 FIDH activists demonstrate during Belarus FM’s visit to Brussels (photo, video)

About a dozen people took part in the event held on July 22 in Brussels on the occasion of a visit by the Foreign Minister of Belarus Uladzimir Makei to participate in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Eastern Partnership countries.

22.07.2013 Human rights defenders send results of independent election monitoring to government agencies

About 200 copies of the book “Elections to the Chamber of Representatives of the Fifth Convocation. September 23, 2012. Results of Independent Observation.” were sent by the activists of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” to various government agencies, libraries, members of the Chamber of Representatives, embassies, and all those who are interested in the assessments of election law and conclusions of observers during the parliamentary elections in 2012.

22.07.2013 Uladzimir Yaromenak banned from leaving town

On June 22, Young Front activist Uladzimir Yaromenak read a criminal case initiated against him for alleged violations of the rules of preventive supervision.

22.07.2013 Human Rights Watch: EU Should Stand Firm on Rights

The European Union should use its upcoming meeting with the Belarusian foreign minister to reinforce tough and principled human rights demands on the government, Human Rights Watch said today.

22.07.2013 Restrictions expire for 5 convicts in 2010 “rioting” case

According to human rights defender Tatsiana Reviaka, five men convicted over the December 2010 post-election protest, are now free of any restrictions as their sentences expired on July 20-22. They are Siarhei Vazniak, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, Andrei Dzmitryeu, Vital Rymasheski and Siarhei Martseleu. “Certain freedom is returning to these people,” says Mrs. Reviaka, as quoted by the Nasha Niva newspaper.

22.07.2013 Colony’s administration takes revenge at prisoners for telling about tortures

Prisoners of the penal colony in Navasady undergo pressure on the part of their wardens for spreading information on tortures.

22.07.2013 Baranavichy activist to stand trial over entrepreneurs’ protests

Baranavichy entrepreneur and civil society activist Mikalai Charnavus is accused of committing two administrative offenses. The charges he is facing are based on a police report that was handed over to the activist at his workplace by police major Dzmitry Mizher.

22.07.2013 Pavel Seviarynets gets 3-day leave

Co-head of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party Pavel Seviatynets has received a leave.

22.07.2013 Maryna Adamovich: Finally, I am allowed to hear the voice of my husband

Mikola Statkevich was granted the right to use phone. Political prisoner took advantage of this opportunity and called his wife – Maryna Adamovich. For the first time in a long time, she was able to hear her husband.

19.07.2013 Authorities include 2011 Belarus Press Photo book in “National List of Extremist Material”

A book featuring the best pictures selected for the 2011 Belarus Press Photo contest has been included in the “National List of Extremist Material.”

19.07.2013 Homel activists announce organization of support march for Ales Bialiatski

The Homel City Executive Committee received a collective application for the allowance to organize the support march for the human rights defender, Ales Bialiatski, on August 4.