The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for October 2017

31.10.2017 Alexievich, Bialiatski sign Prague Appeal for Democratic Renewal

Dozens of intellectuals, civil society activists and politicians from different countries have joined the Coalition for Democratic Renewal (CDR), an initiative launched to “go on the offensive against the authoritarian opponents of democracy, and to demonstrate solidarity with the brave people who are fighting for freedoms in undemocratic systems around the world.”

31.10.2017 Lawyer Hanna Bakhtsina loses appeal in disbarment case

The Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk has turned down an appeal filed by defense lawyer Hanna Bakhtsina to challenge the Justice Ministry’s decision, which revoked the counsel’s license due to “lack of professional skills.”

31.10.2017 Activists fined over picket in Barysaŭ

Human rights activist Aleh Matskevich was detained by Barysaŭ police last afternoon, as he was picketing to demand the resignation of Defense Minister Andrei Raukou and prosecution of all those responsible for the death of conscript Aliaksandr Korzhych in a military unit near the city earlier this month. The picket was joined by local opposition activist Ales Abramovich, who was also detained.

30.10.2017 Polish Bar Council expresses 'deep concern' over harrasment of lawyers in Belarus

The Human Rights Commission of the Polish Bar Council would like to express its deep concern regarding the activities of the Bar Qualifications Commission of the Ministry of justice of the Republic of Belarus, aimed against advocates fighting for human rights from the Bar Chambers in Minsk and Mahiliou.

30.10.2017 Human rights activist Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk fined 920 rubles

The court of Baranavičy completed today the trial of local human rights activist Aliaksandr Vaitseshyk, finding him guilty of insulting and disobeying a police officer. As a result, the human rights activist was fined 920 rubles.

27.10.2017 Miklós Haraszti: Belarus human rights record “devastating” as president tightens grip on power

Belarus has a “devastating” record on human rights which has worsened over two decades as the president has consolidated his grip on absolute power, a UN human rights expert has told the General Assembly in New York.

24.10.2017 Secretary-General's Message for 2017 UN Day

"When we achieve human rights and human dignity for all people – they will build a peaceful, sustainable and just world," António Guterres, UN Secretary-General said in a video message marking the annual United Nations Day.

23.10.2017 Monitoring report on mass event "March of Angry Belarusians 2.0". 21 October 2017 in Minsk

On October 21, 2017 the protest "March of Angry Belarusians 2.0" took place in Minsk, organized by the Belarusian National Congress.

23.10.2017 Viasna’s volunteer briefly detained by border guards

Anisiya Kazliuk, an activist of the volunteer service of the Human Rights Center "Viasna", was detained by border guards as she was returning from Lithuania in the evening of October 22.

21.10.2017 Participants of Human Rights Forum call to release detained activists

We, participants of the 4th Belarusian Human Rights Forum, strongly protest against the pre-emptive detention of activists ahead of the protest “March of Angry Belarusians", which was held today, October 21, in Kastryčnickaja Square in Minsk.

21.10.2017 Resolution of the 4th Belarusian Human Rights Forum

Participants in the 4th Belarusian Human Rights Forum have unanimously voted in favor of the resolution "On Situation of Human Rights in Belarus".

17.10.2017 Russian philosopher ousted from Belarus after 6 days in jail on trumped-up charges

Russian historian and philosopher Pyotr Ryabov has been officially banned from entering Belarus for 10 years, after serving 6 days in jail in Baranavičy on ‘hooliganism’ charges.

17.10.2017 Belarus in EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World in 2016

On Monday 16 October 2017 the Council adopted the EU Annual Report on Human Rights And Democracy in the World in 2016.

17.10.2017 Vilnius to host 4th Belarusian Human Rights Forum

On October 19-21, Vilnius will host the IV Belarusian Human Rights Forum, which is expected to be attended by 140 representatives of 29 Belarusian human rights organizations, NGOs with a human rights component I their work, as well as individual human rights defenders and experts. The Forum will bring together representatives of the Belarusian civil society organizations, as well as partners from foreign and international human rights organizations.

10.10.2017 EU and CoE call for moratorium on executions in Belarus on World Day against Death Penalty

On the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, the Council of Europe and the European Union reaffirm their strong and unequivocal opposition to capital punishment in all circumstances and for all cases. The death penalty is incompatible with human dignity. It constitutes inhuman and degrading treatment, does not have any proven deterrent effect and allows judicial errors to become irreversible and fatal.