The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 24 Dec 2014

24.12.2014 Vitsebsk Regional Court turns down appeals in photo session case

The Vitsebsk Regional Court has heard the appeals of local journalists and activists who were fined for unauthorized picketing as a result of a photo session on November 5. The appeals were dismissed by the court, who did not accept the arguments that it was not picketing, but a photo shoot and upheld the ruling of the Chuhynachny district court.

24.12.2014 Yauhen Vaskovich receives medicines and clothes

Rushaniya Vaskovich, the mother of political prisoner Yauhen Vaskovich, said that she had visited the Mahiliou-based penal colony No. 15 to pass him medicines and vitamins, as her son had health problems.

24.12.2014 Brest journalist fined 6 million

The court of Leninski district of Brest fined a journalist from Brest, Ales Lyauchuk, 40 basic units (6 mln rubles).

24.12.2014 Yury Belenki fined for Dziady for the third time

After three courts for actions in Kurapaty and Loshytsa the total fine to Yury Belenki amounted to Br11 million 250 thousands.

24.12.2014 Pakt human rights NGO registered in Lithuania

The human rights public association “Movement of supporters for the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights PAKT” has been registered in Lithuania. This was announced by the NGO’s executive director Leanid Sudalenka. According to him, it is impossible to receive official registration in Belarus, because the authorities suppress any initiative created without its control.

24.12.2014 UN Human Rights Committee rules in favor of For Freedom activist Vital Symonik

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has considered the case of an activist of the Movement For Freedom Vital Symonik and found a violation of his right to disseminate information (Art. 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).

24.12.2014 Shklou: Ryhor Kastusiou fined

On December 23, the Shklou District Court fined Ryhor Kastusiou, deputy chairman of the BPF party, 3.37 mln rubles for participation in the celebration of the Day of Remembrance of Kastus Kalinouski rebels in Svislach on October 26.

24.12.2014 Human rights activist Leanid Svetsik: It is necessary to solve the problem of life and health insurance of prisoners

Vitsebsk human rights activist Leanid Svetsik has written to the House of Representatives with a proposal to consider the issue of life and health insurance of prisoners (convicts). MPs have forwarded the proposal to the Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Finance. The latter answered that the authorities were not interested in the introduction of compulsory insurance of life and health of persons held in prison.