The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for June 2017

30.06.2017 All Accused in "White Legion" Case Released Under Recognizance

On June 20, the remaining two persons charged with forming an illegal armed group have been set free under recognizance from the KGB detention center.

29.06.2017 Four More People Released in “White Legion” Case

On the evening June 29, four persons were released from the KGB detention facility – Andrei Komlik-Yamatsin, Dzmitry Novik, Andrei Dundukou and Ivan Kavalchuk. Kavalchuk had been arrested on March 23, and the rest – on March 21.

29.06.2017 Belarus Human Rights Issues Stay Up-to-Date for Brussels

The chairperson of the Human Rights Center Viasna Ales Bialiatski, alongside with a delegation of Belarusian civil and political activists, took part in special events, organized by the largest fraction of the European People’s Party at the European Parliament.

29.06.2017 Position of Belarusian Human Rights Organizations as Regards Overall Human Rights Situation in Belarus

We, representatives of the Belarusian human rights community, hereby express our joint position as regards the human rights situation in Belarus before the session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the next round of the EU-Belarus Dialogue on Human Rights.

28.06.2017 Four More Persons Released in “White Legion” Case

On June 28, four more persons were released from the KGB detention facility - Uladzimir Rumiantsau, Tsimur Pashkevich, Aliaksandr Yaudakha and Viktar Danilau.

28.06.2017 Three More Persons in “Armed Group” Case Released

On the evening June 27, Siarhei Strybulski was released from detention facility No 1 under his own recognizance.

28.06.2017 Activist's Complaint over Beating by Policeman Dismissed

The Investigative Committee dismissed the complaint of Viasna observer Aliaksei Loika, refusing to initiate criminal proceedings against employees of home affairs department who beat the activist during the raid at the Viasna office on March 25 this year.

27.06.2017 Campaign to Defend Academic Rights in Belarus

On June 26, a conference was held in Minsk aimed to support Belarusian students who have been expelled from universities for their public activities.

27.06.2017 UN HRC Accepts Complaint on Deadly Torture over Prisoner

Mother of Aliaksandr Akulich, an administrative detainee who died on March 26, 2012 in Svetlahorsk temporary detention facility, has reported to Viasna that on June 12 the UN Human Rights Committee registered the individual complaint on violation of her son’s rights, the document number 2987/2017.

23.06.2017 Monitoring report on a picket in Minsk, 22 June 2017

A street action dedicated to detainees in the “patriots case” took place on Kastrychnitskaya square on 22 June 2017 in Minsk.

23.06.2017 UN Human Rights Council adopts critical resolution on Belarus and extends mandate of Special Rapporteur

The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted today at its 35th session to approve the resolution of the situation of human rights in Belarus.

19.06.2017 KGB closes rioting case, ‘armed group’ charges in place

Minsk, 16 June. The Investigative Committee of Belarus has taken over the criminal case of alleged creation of an illegal armed group, which was initially opened by the State Security Committee (KGB), BelaPAN said quoting the Investigative Committee spokesperson.

15.06.2017 UN expert urges continued scrutiny as Belarus enters new cycle of repression

The United Nations Special Rapporteur Miklós Haraszti yesterday described the severe crackdown on peaceful protesters in February-March of this year as revealing the cyclical nature of oppression of human rights in Belarus. He also warned that the trials underway potentially lead to a new set of political prisoners.

13.06.2017 Russia: Mass arrests tighten authorities’ stranglehold on freedom of expression

A crackdown on peaceful protests across Russia in which hundreds of people were arrested and numerous others beaten by police demonstrates the authorities’ utter contempt for fundamental human rights, Amnesty International said today.

13.06.2017 UN Member and Observer States should call on Bahraini authorities to free human rights defender Nabeel Rajab

We, the undersigned, express our deep concern over the continued detention of prominent Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, on the first anniversary of his arrest. We urge you to call for his immediate release and for all charges against him to be dropped.