Human rights defender expelled from hearings on case of fired “Granite” activist
A new trial has started in Luninets in connection
with the attempt of the trade union activist Mikalai Karyshau to get
rehabilitated at work.
The activist tries to prove that the labor agreement between him and the
employer was composed with violations of the law, whereas the administration
refused to sign a new agreement with him, referring to the admonitions which
had been allegedly issued to Karyshau during a check-up which was held several
days before.
Mikalai Karyshau expressed impeachment to the head of the Luninets District
Court Vasil Belski who leads this case, because earlier this judge had found no
violations in the dismissal of the head of the independent trade union
organization at the “Granite” enterprise Aleh Stakhayevich. The challenge of
judge was declined by Belski. Later he also threatened human rights defender
Uladzimir Malei with a fine (for alleged violations of discipline) and
eventually expelled him from the court room. Mr. Malei represented the
plaintiff's interests as a legal inspector of the Belarusian Congress of
Democratic Trade Unions.