The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for August 2014

31.08.2014 Ales Bialatski: Regime in Belarus looks for benefit to gain from Ukraine’s misfortune

Authorities have exposed their “grasp reflex” without even fearing European Union representatives, says Ales Bialiatski.

31.08.2014 Kanstantsin Zhukouski on hunger strike to protest unfair jail term

Homel opposition activist Kanstantsin Zhukouski has started a hunger strike in the temporary detention facility of the city’s department of internal affairs. His administrative case was heard by the Tsentralny District Court of Homel on August 28. The activist was detained by riot police on August 25. A ruling of Judge Volha Kazlova convicted the activist of disobeying police officers (Article 23.4 of the Administrative Code) and sentenced him to an administrative arrest of five 5 days. During the trial, Zhukouski said that he was not guilty of the offense.

31.08.2014 Homel ideology officials advise local newspaper to refrain from anti-Roma discrimination

Homel human rights defenders Ales Yauseyenka and Maryia Klimovich have received a response to their petition to the Main Directorate of Ideological Work, Culture and Youth Affairs of the Homel Regional Executive Committee.

31.08.2014 BSDP Deputy Chairman appeals fine over newspaper distribution

On August 29, Ihar Barysau, Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada), has filed an appeal in the Mahiliou Regional Court. In his complaint, the Social Democrat demands to cancel the decision of Judge Stanislau Leuchanka of the court of Mahiliou district of August 12.

31.08.2014 Luninets police find no violations in violent detention of activist Alena Dubanosava

Police officials of the town of Luninets say there were no violations in the detention of local opposition activist Alena Dubanosava outside the Town Court on July 30. The official response is signed by the Chief of the Luninets Police Department and has been sent to an activist of the campaign “Tell the Truth” Leanid Dubanosau, the husband of the detained activist.

31.08.2014 Last Dawn presented in Bialynichy district

On August 28, Bialynichy district hosted a presentation of the multimedia project Aposhni Zolak (“Last Dawn”). The event was arranged in the framework of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders Against the Death Penalty”. It also included the screening of an animated film entitled The Executioner.

31.08.2014 Opposition activist Maksim Viniarski detained in Minsk

On August 29, police officers detained Maksim Viniarski, coordinator of the European Belarus opposition movement, as he was leaving the apartment of activist Yuliya Stsiapanava. According to Leanid Kulakou, who witnessed the detention, Viniarski was told that he was wanted on suspicion of committing a crime.

31.08.2014 Ukraine: UN report shows rising civilian deaths, ongoing rights abuses

Intense fighting, including the use of heavy weaponry by both sides, in densely populated areas of eastern Ukraine, has increased the loss of civilian life, with an average of around 36 people being killed every day, says a new report issued today by the United Nations human rights office.

29.08.2014 Activist harassed over flyers campaigning for strike

Human rights activists say there has been another case of persecution of a civil society activist. As reported by Anastasiya Loika, on August 18 Minsk police detained Raman Khalilau.

29.08.2014 Mahiliou residents ask authorities to reverse restrictions on mass events

Dozens of Mahiliou have signed a collective appeal to the Council of Ministers of Belarus, where they ask to cancel the decision of the Mahiliou City Executive Committee ‘On Mass Events in the City of Mahiliou”.

29.08.2014 Ban alarmed by ‘dangerous escalation’ in Ukraine crisis; Security Council holds emergency talks

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is alarmed by what seems to be a “dangerous escalation” in the crisis in Ukraine with reports of intensified fighting in the country south-east near the border with Russia, as the Security Council held emergency talks on the latest developments.

29.08.2014 Rasul Jafarov Appeals to the International Community

Rasul Jarafov's appeal to the International Community about his unlawful arrest and the case against him.

29.08.2014 Political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou to celebrate birthday in prison

On August 30, political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou is going to celebrate another birthday in prison. The activist was taken into custody on December 5, 2013 after he was convicted under Article 421 of the Criminal Code (“non-compliance with preventive supervision restrictions”).

29.08.2014 Court in Brest refuses to open investigation into election fraud

Liudmila Dzenisenka, chairperson of the Brest office of the Belarusian Party of the Left "Fair World", in who was running this years’ local elections as a candidate for the City Council, lodged a complaint with the Leninski District Court in order to find out who voted at their residence in the city’s constituency No. 13.

29.08.2014 Court in Homel sentences opposition activist to 5 days in jail

The Tsentralny District Court of Homel considered yesterday an administrative case against activist Kanstantsin Zhukouski, who was detained by riot police on August 25. As a result, Judge Volha Kazlova convicted the activist of disobeying police officers (Article 23.4 of the Administrative Code) and sentenced him to an administrative arrest of five days.