The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for January 2014

29.01.2014 Vitsebsk officials ban Constitution Day rally

An event applied for by Vitsebsk opposition activists Khrystafor Zhaliapau and Aliaksei Haurutsikau was scheduled for March 15. It was expected to highlight the rights enshrined in the Constitution of Belarus. However, their request submitted to the Pershamaiski district administration was rejected.

29.01.2014 Baranavichy trade union activist keeps appealing picket ban

A trade union activist Ryhor Hryk filed yesterday a complaint to Baranavichy Inter-District Prosecutor's Office to challenge the illegal actions of the city’s executive authorities who banned a rally under the slogan “Civilian Control for Actions of the Authorities and the Laws of Belarus”. The picket was expected to be staged on January 26. The activist stresses he met all the requirements of the law on mass events.

29.01.2014 Judge in Babruisk denies elderly women’s right to legal assistance

On January 27, Judge Maryna Sheliahina of Babruisk District and City Court did not allow the presence at a trial of a representative of two local women, Valiantsina Kavalenka and Liubou Sankevich.

29.01.2014 ILO mission meets independent trade union activists

On January 28, the Minsk-based headquarters of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions hosted a meeting of its member organizations and activists with a direct contact mission of the International Labor Organization (ILO), headed by the Special Adviser to the ILO Director Kari Tapiola. The mission also includes three experts of the ILO: Oksana Wolfson, Franco Amato and Halton Cheadle.

29.01.2014 Zmitser Dashkevich publishes book of prison stories

The book “Worm” written by former political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich has been published in Vilnius.

28.01.2014 Mahiliou activist appeals penalty for campaigning against Russian air bases

Yury Novikau, Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Free Trade Union filed a supervisory appeal to the Chairman of the Mahiliou Regional Court.

28.01.2014 Minsk City Court confirms one-year verdict for Vasil Parfiankou

The Minsk City Court heard today an appeal filed in the case of political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou. As a result, the verdict of Pershamaiski District Court was upheld and the appeal was dismissed.

28.01.2014 Minsk residents forbidden to feed homeless

Activists of the movement Food not Bombs were detained by the police in Minsk.

28.01.2014 Baranavichy authorities resist public scrutiny

Baranavichy city executive committee banned a rally under the slogan of “Civilian Control for Actions of the Authorities and the Laws of Belarus”. The picket was expected to be staged on January 26 by local trade union activist Ryhor Hryk.

27.01.2014 Belsat TV Wins Lawsuit on the Use of Trademark

The Judges' Panel of the Supreme Court of Belarus dismissed the suit of the private company Belsat + against the satellite television Belsat.

27.01.2014 Arbitrary detention legal, says Prosecutor's Office

The detention of activist Iliya Dabratvor was legal, says a reply from Minsk Frunzenski District Prosecutor's Office.

27.01.2014 Zhodzina election commission denies access to official documents

At the third meeting of the Zhodzina Election Commission, which was held on January 17, the election officials considered the question of reprimanding observer Aliaksei Lapitski.

27.01.2014 Belsat film crew beaten and held in Cherkasy

Belsat's film crew – journalist Yury Vysotski and cameraman Siarhei Marchyk – were beaten by Berkut police in the town of Cherkasy.

27.01.2014 Results of examination of seized book about Lukashenka still unknown

It has been four months now since a resident of Salihorsk Aliaksandr Malochka requested the results of a customs examination of the book entitled "Aliaksandr Lukashenka. A Political Portrait" seized from him on September 14, 2013 at the Lithuanian border.

27.01.2014 Homel Regional Court justifies assault on UCP activist

On January 24, a UCP activist of Kalinkavichy Dzianis Rabianok received a copy of ruling by the Homel Regional Court, saying that the young man’s appeal was turned down, thereby justifying a tear gas attack he suffered back in April 2013.