The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for September 2013

26.09.2013 Paris Mayor expresses support for Ales Bialiatski

The Mayor of the City of Paris, Mr. Bertrand Delanoe, sent a letter to Ales Bialiatski, written shortly after the Belarusian civil society marked two years since his arrest. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Human Rights Center "Viasna" publish this letter on the occasion of Ales Bialiatski’s birthday.

26.09.2013 On required actions of the international community in connection with the case of prisoner of conscience Ales Bialiatski

Statement by the International Observation Mission of the Committee on International Control over the Human Rights Situation in Belarus

26.09.2013 Amnesty Netherlands visit Belarusian embassy to celebrate Ales Bialiatski's birthday

On Ales Bialiatski’s birthday, the Dutch section of Amnesty paid a visit to the Belarus Embassy in The Hague, presenting its staff with a special birthday cake, and thousands of new signatures demanding freedom for Ales. Amnesty activists also gifted the Embassy with a package of fresh fruit and vegetables, reminding the Belarusian authorities of their ICESCR obligation to ensure fulfillment of the right of persons in detention to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health.

25.09.2013 EEAS official: Release and rehabilitation of political prisoners remain necessary condition for normalization of Belarus-EU relations

Minsk, 24 September. The release and rehabilitation of political prisoners remain a necessary and indispensable condition for the normalization of relations between Belarus and the European Union, Gunnar Wiegand, the European External Action Service (EEAS)’s director for Russia, the Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and the OSCE, told reporters in Minsk on Tuesday, following his meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Alena Kupchyna.

25.09.2013 Political prisoner Prakapenka denied meeting

Artsiom Prakapenka was denied of a long-term meeting with his parents.

25.09.2013 Viasna clarifies information concerning Vasil Parfiankou’s case

The Human Rights Center "Viasna" received today additional information about the circumstances of a civil case against Vasil Parfiankou, as a result of which he was placed in an activity therapy center (so called medical and labor dispensary).

25.09.2013 Belarusian musicians: Yes to Punishment, No to Death Penalty

Belarusian rock musicians are preparing for the launch of the new joint project Aposhni Zolak (“The Last Dawn”). Its participants told TUT.BY about the problems of society, crime and punishment, the value of life, lifting the veil of secrecy over the contents of the long-awaited project.

25.09.2013 Slonim authorities ban picket to hold sports event

On September 10, leader of the Slonim coalition of pro-democratic forces Ivan Sheha filed an application to the district executive committee asking for permission to hold a picket on September 28. The event was expected to be attended by some 40 people.

24.09.2013 The Observatory: Belarus: Confiscation of copies of a book written by Mr. Ales Bialiatski

The Observatory was informed of the confiscation of 40 copies of a book titled Enlightened by Belarusianness ("Asvechanyia Belaruschunai"), written by Mr. Ales Bialiatski, President of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) Viasna and FIDH Vice-President, who is serving 4,5 years' imprisonment in relation to his human rights activities, after they were considered as potentially damaging the image of the country. The 455-pages book is a digest of literary articles and essays on Belarusian literature, and also features four texts written by Mr. Bialiatski behind bars.

24.09.2013 Priests discuss death penalty

The issue of the death penalty is discussed in Minsk by Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant ministers. Even priests have a lot to discuss, says Yulia Khlashchankova, representative of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, in her comment for Radio Free Europe’s Belarus service.

24.09.2013 Valiantsin Stefanovich: Medical and labour centre is prison without court decision

Belarus is the only country that has medical and labour centres.

24.09.2013 Send birthday wishes to Ales Bialiatski!

Ales Bialiatski, the imprisoned leader of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" and vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights, will celebrate his 51st birthday on September 25. Since August 4, 2011, the human rights defender has been behind bars, first in the detention center in Minsk, and eventually in the Babruisk-based penal colony No. 2.

24.09.2013 Hrodna court confirms picket ban

Judge Zhanna Krauchanka of Hrodna Leninski District Court upheld yesterday a ban on holding a picket in support of Ales Bialiatski, following two and a half hours of examination of a complaint lodged by local human rights defenders, Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Raman Yurhel, to challenge the decision of the city executive committee.