The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 6 Mar 2015

06.03.2015 Sandra Kalniete: Compromise on political prisoners' issue not possible

A real breakthrough in relations between Belarus and the European Union is impossible without political prisoners’ release.

06.03.2015 Tajik opposition leader Kuvatov shot dead in Turkey

A Tajik opposition leader has been shot dead by an unknown attacker in the Turkish city of Istanbul, Tajik opposition sources have told the BBC.

06.03.2015 On Rasul Jafarov’s Trial Witnesses Testify in His Favor

At the trial of the human rights activist Rasul Jafarov in the Baku Court of Grave Crimes the testimony of witnesses continued today.

06.03.2015 Mikhail Miakhedka appeals to UN Human Rights Committee seeking justice

Having exhausted all remedies available at the national level, Minsk resident Mikhail Mehedko filed an individual communication with the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations.

06.03.2015 Rechytsa entrepreneurs are planning a rally outside the executive committee for the abolition of the decree №222

Rechytsa entrepreneurs filed a request to hold a rally for the abolition of the Presidential Decree №222. The statement was signed by more than 50 entrepreneurs. The mass event is scheduled for March 9. Meanwhile, the vast majority of entrepreneurs, trading in the markets, "Slavianski" and "Tsentralny", do not work.

06.03.2015 Siarhei Housha's cassation appeal to be considered March 19

As follows from a letter, signed by Judge Volha Apanovich, the cassation appeal of the Baranavichy human rights activist S. Housha concerning the prohibition of a picket on Human Rights Day will be considered by the judicial board on civil cases of Brest Regional Court on March 19 at 11 a.m.

06.03.2015 Freelance journalist summoned to trial by SMS

Tamara Shchapiotkina was summoned to court twice. At 8.30 p.m. on March 4 he was called by a man who introduced himself as police inspector Rachynski from Brest and told that she needed to appear at the Leninski District Court of Brest in the morning of March 5.

06.03.2015 Judges don't fall under the jurisdiction of the courts

Judge of the Leninski District Court of Minsk Veranika Abramovich refused to instigate a criminal case on request of political prisoner Yury Rubtsou for recovery of moral damages of a judge of the same court, Kiryl Palulekh.

06.03.2015 Brest: investigative authorities don't disclose information about the criminal case brought for defamation of President

Brest Regional Department of the Investigative Committee just confirmed bringing a criminal case under Article 367, part 1 of the Criminal Code (defamation of the President of the Republic of Belarus) and carrying out investigative activities, including a number of expert studies.

06.03.2015 Mahiliou residents continue struggling for their apartments. Prosecutor's office sides with executive committee

Mahiliou Prosecutor's Office believes that the dwelling house No. 59 in Leninskaya Street was given the status of a “hostel” lawfully. This is stated in an answer to a collective appeal, signed by the first deputy prosecutor of the Mahiliou region Pimashkou.

06.03.2015 Mahiliou residents protest against prohibition of mass events

An appropriate statement was submitted to the head of the Mahiliou City Executive Committee Uladzimir Tsumarau by the deputy head of the Mahiliou regional branch of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World” Valery Beraziyenka, the head of the Mahiliou city branch of the Belarusian Free Trade Union of Steelworkers Ales Serdziukou and a representative of the Independent Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry in the Mahiliou region Aliaksei Yauhenau.

06.03.2015 Death penalty in theory and practice. Comments to the National Report

The National Report for the Universal Periodic Review (second cycle), prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been published.

06.03.2015 Ales Bialiatski: human rights are universal

On March 5, after speaking at the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva Ales Bialiatski further commented to Human Rights Center "Viasna" about the topics he touched in his three-minute report.