Statement by the Human Rights Center "Viasna" regarding the arrest of human rights defender Andrei Bandarenka

On November 14, the Court of Minsk’s Maskouski district considered the administrative case opened against the director of the private cultural and educational institution “Platform Innovation” Andrei Bandarenka, as a result of which the human rights activist was found guilty of violating Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code (violation of the order of organizing and holding mass events) and sentenced to five days in prison.

The Human Rights Center "Viasna" states that in accordance with the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,*

-          everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels;

-          everyone has the right, individually and in association with others:

(a) To know, seek, obtain, receive and hold information about all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including having access to information as to how those rights and freedoms are given effect in domestic legislative, judicial or administrative systems;

(b) As provided for in human rights and other applicable international instruments, freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms;

(c) To study, discuss, form and hold opinions on the observance, both in law and in practice, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and, through these and other appropriate means, to draw public attention to those matters.

-          everyone has the right , individually and in association with others, to participate in peaceful activities against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

-          The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.

-          in this connection, everyone is entitled, individually and in association with others, to be protected effectively under national law in reacting against or opposing, through peaceful means, activities and acts, including those by omission, attributable to States that result in violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as acts of violence perpetrated by groups or individuals that affect the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Human Rights Center "Viasna" regards the detention and administrative harassment of the human rights defender, director of the private cultural and educational institution “Platform Innovation” Andrei Bandarenka a groundless and extremely motivated decision, which grossly violates the State's international obligations in the field of human rights protection.

The Human Rights Center "Viasna" demands to:

- put an end to the practice of harassment and pressure on human rights defenders, restrictions on their right to freedom of peaceful activities against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

- close the administrative proceedings against Andrei Bandarenka and release him.

Minsk - November 15, 2013

* Adopted by Resolution 53/144 of the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1998