Barys Bukhel and Aliaksiey Kolchyn filed a statement to the Leninsky district court of Mahiliou. Through the court they want to declare invalid and annul the decision of the Mahiliou Executive Committee of December 19, 2007 № 25-19 “On Mass Events in the city of Mahiliou” as well as of June 16, 2010 № 15-12 «On Amendments to the Decision of December 19, 2007 № 25-19″.
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Alaksiej Łapicki, Žodzina
That is the latest example – the UN Human Rights Committee has registered a complaint of Vital Lapasau, activist from Hrodna. At first glance it is an ordinary complaint. Several dozens complaints of Belarusians have been registered and considered by the UN HRC recently. However, it should be noted that this is the first complaint of the kind from Hrodna region which was filed with the methodological support of Homel human rights defenders. Continue reading »
Today, an activist from Homel Kastus Zhukousky in search of a judge who was able to hear his case on the basis of the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights appealed to the President of the Supreme Court Valiantsin Sukhala. If the higher court will make a decision on the case motivating it by the local decision on the procedure of peaceful assembly in Homel, the activist intends to apply to the UN Human Rights Committee. Continue reading »
The UN Human Rights Committee has registered a complaint by a human rights activist Vitaly Lapasau from Hrodna, who was punished by the authorities with a large administrative penalty for his participation in an unauthorized mass event on last year’s October 27 in the village Yakushouka, Svislach region, which was dedicated to perpetuate the memory of the 1863 uprising participants. Continue reading »
On August 11 human rights defenders from Zhodzina sent their first postcards to Ales Bialiatsky and other political prisoners. Continue reading »
More than twenty of civil and political activists in Homel put their signatures in support of the Human Rights House (HRH), which is located in the Russian sister town – Voronezh. The appeal was addressed to the governor of the Voronezh Region Alexei Gordeev, and it is requested in it not to deprive the Center of Human Rights of the occupied premises.
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Valery Rybchanka, Zhlobin
Freedom to Ales!
Freedom for Ales!
Ales is every one of us. This is who we are! We all are Ales!
Solidarity actions are our small contribution to the fight against the repressive and command system, which is imposed to the people of Belarus by a pro-government nomenclature of stagnation times and its longtime leader.
Freedom for Ales Bialiatsky!
Freedom for political prisoners in Belarus!
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On August 4, it will be two years since the arrest of Ales Bialiatsky – Vice-President of the International Federation of Human Rights, the head of the Belarusian human rights center “Viasna” closed by the authorities. International Day of Solidarity with Belarusian civil society is timed to this date. Continue reading »
GENEVA (2 August 2013) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Miklós Haraszti, has urged the Belarusian Government to “immediately and unconditionally” release and rehabilitate human rights defender Ales Bialiatski. “Mr Bialiatski’s detention is a symbol of the repression against human rights defenders,” he said.
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City officials refused to consider a request for picketing in support of Ales Bialiatsky, claimed on August 4 from 6 p.m to 7 p.m at the main concert court of Zhodzina City Culture and Recreation Park.
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The appeal against the decision of Zhodzina City Court of November 22, with the reasoning part of November 29, 2013 which were presented by the judge of Zhodzina City Court Ivan Grynkevich to the applicants only on December 24, 2013 (! ), had to be filed on 03.01.2014 without a preliminary opportunity of familiarization with the record of the hearing and to making necessary comments on it. Continue reading »
Leanid Sudalenka, Homel
The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation confirmed that the decisions of the UN Committee on Human Rights, taken by the complaints of Russians are binding and do not exempt Russia from the reliable and responsible implementation of these decisions in the framework of voluntarily assumed obligations under international law.
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Alaksiej Lapicki, Zhodzina court (August of 2012)
Only on Saturday, September 22 Zhodzina court prepared papers for information of the case of banning the picketing in support of Ales Bialiatsky and political prisoners. And the negative decision was issued on August 29 (!)
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Leanid Sudalenka, Homel
Leanid Sudalenka from Homiel strategic lawsuit centre has achieved another victory in protecting rights of the Belarusians. The UN Committee on Human Rights considered the appeal about confiscation of computers from association “Civil Initiatives” at the presidential elections of 2001. According to this decree, the Belarussian State shall return the equipment and compensate the public association court costs.
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On 4 July Judge of the Salihorsk District Court Valiantsina Lapina turned down the appeal of a “Young Front” activist Andrei Tychyna against the prohibition of a bicycle rally, issued by the Salihorsk City Executive Committee.
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Ihar Leuchanka, resident of the town of Belaaziorsk, Brest region, has been fined BYR 2 mln for refusing to undergo fingerprinting examination, after he was summoned to local police department on traffic violations charges.
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Andrei Pachobut, journalist and blogger, correspondent for Gazeta Wyborcza
A number of Hrodna journalists have sent an open letter to the Prosecutor General of Belarus, expressing their protests against the criminal charges brought against reporter Andrei Pachobut. Continue reading »
His wife, Natalia Pinchuk and Antoine Bernard, the Chief executif officer of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), were the ones who filed the complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee on behalf of Ales Bialiatski, the Chairman of the Human Rights Center Viasna, and the Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), who is currently serving a sentence in a penal colony in the city of Bobruiks.
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Mrs. Yulia Harachankova, who was detained and sentenced to five days of administrative arrest for involvement in a “silent protest” last summer, has received a compensation for the illegal arrest. Continue reading »
Today (Wednesday 27 June), the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva discuss the situation of human rights in Belarus and the role that the international community should play.
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Vitsebsk human rights defender Paval Levinau will not be able to hold three pickets on June 26, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, after his applications were dismissed by the city’s executive officials. Continue reading »
Barys Zvozskau
In Minsk, friends, students, colleagues, relatives and friends paid last respects to a human rights activist Barys Zvozskau, who died after a long incurable desease, but until recently have been fighting both for his life and a better future for all of us, for free and lawful Belarus.
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Partner NGOs of Human Rights House Foundation: Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights, the Belarusian Human Rights House, Amnesty International participated in the conference. Continue reading »
Questions and Answers. Meeting of legal experts from Belarus with the representatives of the Police Department in Vilnius, Lithuania (2012)
There’s really something to learn and from whom to learn. And this is encouraging. After all, we stand in the pace with our neighbors, which whom we solved common issues, coped with the same problems competed and often won… Continue reading »
Volha Čajčyc, Smalavičy
TV journalists Tatsiana Belashova and Volha Chaichuts were detained by police in Gorky Park in Minsk. They were making a report in connection with the International Child Protection Day, 1 June. Continue reading »
Over the past number of days, in a flagrant denial of their right to freedom of movement, several Belarusian human rights defenders have been stopped by border guards while they were leaving Belarus, along with numerous political activists and journalists.
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On 29 May, Minsk Pershamaiski District Court sentenced civil activist Vasil Parfiankou to six months of arrest for violating the restrictions of a preventive supervision imposed by a court under Art. 421 of the Criminal Code.
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On 24 May 2012, human rights defender Mr Oleg Volchek was arrested and detained by police, and sentenced to nine days of administrative imprisonment. Oleg Volchek is a prominent human rights lawyer and director of the non-governmental organisation Pravovaya pomoshch naseleniyu (Legal Aid to Population), which was closed down by the Belarusian authorities in 2003.
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In the middle of the last year, Ministry of Justice refused founders Siarhey Kaliakin, Valery Ukhnaliou, Victar Korniayenka and 91 members to register the public association “For Fair Elections.” The Supreme Court confirmed the findings of the registering body, thereby putting members of the association in the illegal situation. Continue reading »
On 8 May Siarhei Koneu, Judge of the Mahiliou Regional Court, turned down the appeal of civil activist against the verdict of the Leninski District Court of Mahiliou, according to which he had been sentenced to a fine for distributing the unregistered newspaper “Tut i Tsiaper” without a special distribution agreement.
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Valiantsin Stefanovich, the deputy head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”
On 4 May the deputy head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Valiantsin Stefanovich filed a written application with the head of the Minsk City Court in connection with a gross violation of the legislation by Alena Siamak, a judge of the Tsentralny District Court of Minsk.
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Vasil Paliakou, Homel
On 4 May the vice-head o the United Civil Party and chairman of the Homel regional organization of the UCP Vasil Paliakou applied to the UN Human Rights Committee. The politician believes that the Belarusian authorities violated Article 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the right to freedom of information and of peaceful assembly) by sentencing him to arrest for organizing the People’s Assembly.
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Another ban on holding two pickets on May Day was received by Orsha activists of the United Leftist Party “Fair World”.
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Mikalay Ulasievich
Public activist from Varniany Mikalay Ulasievich continues to seek legitimacy from the local authorities. The day before Mikalay along with another human rights activist from Astraviets Ivan Kruk sent a special ppeal to the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus, and on April 28 Ulasievich visited the head of Astraviets militia.
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Arbitrary detention is used in Belarus against political opponents and persons exercising their freedoms of conscience, opinion and expression. The use of arbitrary detention as a tool of systematic repression of critical voices constitutes a serious violation of human rights as the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention underlines1. We urge the authorities of the Republic of Belarus to release all political prisoners and to compensate them for the harm suffered.
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Алесь Бяляцкі
The Nobel Committee has admitted the nomination of Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski for the 2012 Peace Prize, Polskie Radio reports, quoting Polish Sejm MP Andrzej Halicki and chairman of the Freedom and Democracy Foundation Tomasz Pisula.
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Paris-Geneva, April 19, 2012. On April 2, 2012, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), submitted the case of Mr. Ales Bialiatski to the United Nations (UN) Working group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD).
Mr. Ales Bialiatski is the Vice President of FIDH and the President of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”, in Belarus.
Mrs. Zinaida Shumilina, Homel
The UN Human Rights Committee has registered a complaint submitted by Homel civil activist Mrs. Zinaida Shumilina, contesting a number of bans on holding pickets in support of former presidential candidates and their families.
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Ivan Kruk, Astravets
Ivan Kruk, a civil activist from Astravets, filed an individual communication with the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the UN. A copy of the communication was also sent to the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus.
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UN
Homiel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka received a reply about the registration of their common appeal from Geneva. According to their appeal, on the eve of presidential elections in 2010, they appealed to the Homiel Town’s Executive Committee for permission to hold a rally, which was to be confined with the Day of Human Rights. Human rights activists wanted to draw the attention of voters on their right to refuse early voting. Continue reading »
Piatro Kuzniatsou, Homel
Homiel leader of the Movement “For Freedom!” Piatro Kuzniatsou did not agree with the actions of Belarusian authorities, which arbitrarily, to his point view, deprived him of his right to freedom of peaceful assembly. Now he is litigating this fact in the UN Committee on Human Rights. Continue reading »
Two members of the Young Front opposition movement were detained outside Minsk detention center in Akrestsin Street on 22 March.
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Yuras Zakharanka, Homel
The UN Human Rights Committee has registered a complaint submitted by Homel activist of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party People’s Hramada Yuras Zakharanka.
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Andrey Varvashevich
On March 6, 2012 the Presidium of the Minsk City Bar Association has considered the disciplinary proceedings against a lawyer Andrey Varvashevich and decided to exclude him from the bar “for committing a disciplinary offense, not compatible with the rank of a lawyer, in terms of his intentional actions, which collectively humiliated personal dignity and high rank of a lawyer and undermined the prestige of the legal profession, public confidence to a lawyer and the legal profession as a whole”. However, from the text of the decree of the Presidium it is not clear what action of A.Varvashevich was the reason for his exclusion from the Bar.
Uladzislau Kavaliou, convicted of involvement in the plotting of a terrorist act in Minsk metro on 11 April, 2011, has been executed, says an official communication issued by the Supreme Court of Belarus dated 16 March. Continue reading »
Distribution of these materials in Homiel was stopped by the riot militia
In Homiel a member of anti-alcohol campaign “Don’t drink –let’s live” Vasil Takarenka was arrested. He was arrested by riot militia near the store “Homiel”. The activist was taken to the militia department of the Central District.
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Уладзімер Кацора, Гомель
According to Uladzimir Shyla, a local public activist, deputies must address the issue of prohibition of mass events in the town. Executive committee of Salihorsk didn’t grant another five appeals to hold mass events in Salihorsk.
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Ihar Sluchak, Homel
Homel resident Ihar Sluchak has lodged another complaint with the Supreme Court Chairman Valiantsin Sukala, urging him to review the administrative arrest for alleged disorderly conduct in late August 2011 Continue reading »
On 27 February, Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka submitted a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee, arguing that their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly were violated by Belarus. Continue reading »
Who is “our” and who – “stranger”?
February 23 antyalkagolnuyu activists were detained by police in 1230 about a department store “Homel”.
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Zinaida Shumilina, Homel
A member of the UCP from Homel Zinaida Shumilina has sent an individual complaint to the UN Committee on Human Rights. She believes that, together with his colleagues suffered from the actions of Belarusian authorities. The conflict, which requires the intervention of the international structure – the UN Committee on Human Rights, established in February last year.
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Siarhei Kavalenka, Vitsebsk
Vitsebsk activist of the Conservative Christian Party – Belarusian Popular Front Siarhei Kavalenka has been sentenced to two years and one month of imprisonment on charges of violating parole restrictions.
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Vladislav Kovalev
Liubou Kavaliova, mother of sentenced to death penalty Vladislau Kovaliou received a response from the Presidential Administration.
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Siarhey Kavalenka, Vitsebsk
On February 14 the Human Rights Centre “Viasna” published the appeal to Siarhey Kavalenka (see below), who has gone on hunger strike in Vitsebsk prison long time ago. A citizen of Belarus, he has been prosecuted not for criminal acts, but for his own beliefs and sincere love for the motherland. And now he is in critical condition and can loose his life.
He faced such sufferings, risky to health and his life, for the sake of changing the situation and to achieve justice. But … Continue reading »
This report underlines the crucial role played by human rights defenders in standing up for the rights of others, challenging oppression and speaking out for those who have no voice said Front Line Defenders’ Executive Director Mary Lawlor speaking in Dublin today.
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Mrs. Volha Damaskina, Navapolatsak
On 16 February, Navapolatsak KGB and police searched the private residence of local pro-democratic activist Mrs. Volha Damaskina, seizing a PC, a laptop and several CDs and DVDs. The raid reportedly dealt with a criminal case under Art. 341 of the Criminal Code opened against the activist’s son Dzmitry Ryzhychenka in April 2010.
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The imprisoned leader of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski has been convoyed to penal colony No. 2 in the town of Babruisk, Mahiliou region, to serve his 4.5-year term for alleged tax evasion, the human rights defender’s wife says.
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Or why, in the 21st century Belarusian militia have completely forgotten about telecommunication service?
It’s just a mockery!
This is the name of the video clip from Zhodzina in which we can see all the cynicism and stupidity of the system. Continue reading »
The mother of the death convict submitted their arguments to the commentaries provided to the UN Human Rights Committee by the Belarusian authorities in connection with the individual communication submitted to the organization on his behalf.
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The Soviet of the Republic sees no need to initiate the abolishment of Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, which penalizes activities on behalf of organizations that are not registered with the state. Continue reading »
Mikalay Ulasievich, Harodnia
On February 2 in the Leninsky district court of Harodnia hearing of the complaint of Astraviets activist Mikalay Ulasievich ended quite unexpectedly. The process lasted about one and a half hour, and eventually the judge Vitaly Liatsko granted Ulasievich’s appeal.
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Minsk City Court has upheld the 4.5-year verdict to Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski, dismissing the cassational appeal lodged by lawyer Dzmitry Layeuski.
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Constitutional Court, Miensk
Homel pro-democratic activists Uladzimir Katsora and Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh have addressed the Constitutional Court of Belarus with a demand to provide legal assessment to the provisions of Article 8.4 of the Code for Administrative Procedures in their compliance with Article 25 of the Constitution and Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Continue reading »
On 23 January, experts of the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs and the Center for Legal Transformation presented the results of monitoring of the situation with non-governmental organizations and freedom of association in Belarus in 2011.
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Raman Kisliak, Brest
The Brest Regional Court confirmed the ruling of the Leninski District Court of Brest concerning the ban of a series of pickets under the slogan “Freedom to Political Prisoners!” by the Brest City Executive Committee in autumn 2011.
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Leanid Sudalenka, Homel
On 12 January Siarhei Shytsikau, Judge of the Tsentralny District Court of Homel, turned down the appeal of the Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka against the refusal of the Homel City Executive Committee to authorize their picket, dated to the Human Rights Day, 10 December.
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Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh, Homel
On January 11 judge of Homiel Central district Alena Tsalkova passed a resolution: to stop the administrative case against Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh on “dirty swearing” (Article 17.1 of the CAO) for the failure to prove his guilt. Continue reading »
Siarhei Kavalenka, Vitsebsk
A lawyer of an activist from Vitsebsk has received an official reply from the prosecutor’s office of the Pershamaiski district.
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On 10 January Vasil Paliakou, head of the Homel regional branch of the United Civil Party, filed an individual communication with the UN Human Rights Committee concerning violation of Article 14 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by the Republic of Belarus by forced dactylography.
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Prison # 8, Zhodzina
Bear in mind that on 24 November Siarhei Bandarenka, Judge of the Pershamaiski District Court of Minsk, had sentenced Ales Bialiatski, vice-President of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, to 4.5 years in a high-security prison with confiscation of assents for alleged large-scale tax evasion.
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Siarhey Kavalenka, Vitebsk
Siarhey Kavalenka, who was recognized a political prisoner by the human rights activists of Vitsebsk, filed the complaint to the UN Committee on Human Rights on the eve of imprisonment in Vitebsk detention centre number 2. This way the activist is trying to protect his rights and make Belarusian authorities to abolish his sentence for hanging a white-red-white flag on the Christmas tree in the center of Vitebsk two years ago.
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Alena Kavalenka, Vitsebsk
Alena Kavalenka learned it from the investigator who deals with her husband’s case. On 3 January she had filed an application for a meeting with Siarhei. However, on 5 Janury investigator Yury Volkau mocked at her, saying that in some cases complaints could be considered for up to 10 days.
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Legal information
The aim of the campaign launched by the local organization “Legal Assistance to Population” is to return the free access to legal information on the web.
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American Bar Association, ABA
American lawyers released an expert declaration in the case of Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski.
The American Bar Association (ABA) submitted the Expert’s Declaration as an objective legally supported and truthful expert statement based on the case materials and in accordance with international legal standards. The ABA plans to file the copy of the Declaration to the Minsk City Court, which will hear a cassation appeal against the conviction of Bialiatski. Continue reading »
Uladzimir Katsora and Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh addressed the Tsentrany District Court of Mahiliou with an appeal against the unlawful arrest.
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Paval Levinau, Vitsebsk
Vitsebsk human rights activist Paval Levinau tried to defend the rights of individuals, who were under administrative process, for release from responsibility in connection with the expiry of periods of limitations. For this he has appealed to the Constitutional Court. However, the court didn’t start to investigate, whether the norms of the current Code of Administrative Violations contradict the Constitution.
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In the last days of the year the activists of independent trade union in Homiel region have filed a complaint about violations of their rights to freedom of expression and public events to the UN Committee on Human Rights. The complaint was signed by six people.
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Ales Bialiatski was given 10 minutes to pay last tribute to his father in a morgue in Minsk this morning.
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On December 26 Kastrychnitsky district court of Vitebsk closed the administrative case against the activist, on whom a protocol was drawn up after the white-red-white flag appeared on the store “The Fifth Element”. Continue reading »
On December 26 the leadership of the “Center of strategic litigation” received a response from the UN Committee on Human Rights to the application of Homiel citizen Marysia Tulzhankova. The young activist complained to the UN Committee on Human Rights of violation of her rights by the state, namely the violation of the right of information and expression. Continue reading »
On December 24 in his 83rd year of life, Viktor Bialiatsky, father of the imprisoned human rights defender Ales Belyatsky passed away. Continue reading »
Vitsebsk activist of the Conservative Christian Party “Belarusian Popular Front” Siarhei Kavalenka may be imprisoned for up to three years for alleged violation of suspended sentence restrictions. Continue reading »
UN
New York, 19 December 2011 — This morning, the United Nations General Assembly in New York adopted the Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. This landmark document recognises the right of every one of the planet’s seven billion people to have access to human rights education, a lifelong process involving all ages, all parts of society, and every kind of education, formal and informal.
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Valiantsin Stefanovich, Мiеnsk
On 16 December the Partyzanski District Tax Inspection of Minsk increased the sum of the claim to Valiantsin Stefanovich to 53 million rubles. A representative of the tax inspection stated that the statement that earlier information about Stefanovich’s account in the Lithuanian bank SEB, provided by the Lithuanian authorities, is incomplete, mustn’t be taken into account, because it wasn’t specified what is incomplete. Continue reading »
Supreme Court, Меnsk
Chairman of the Supreme Court Valiantsin Sukala reversed the decision of Minsk Piershamaysky district Court supported by Minsk city court, according to which the 27-year-old resident of Mahiliou Julia Harachankova was serving administrative detention for a period of 5 days for “using obscene language in a public place” in July. Continue reading »
Uladzimir Lemesh, Salihorsk
Salihorsk activist of “European Belarus” Uladzimir Lemesh received a message from the UN Committee on Human Rights concerning the situation with his case. Continue reading »
Brest citizen Tatsiana Yachnik received a message from the UN Committee on Human Rights, which stated that her complaint about pension not being assessed on Soviet passport was accepted. Continue reading »
Ales Bialacki
A letter was received from human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, sentenced to 4.5 years in a high-security colony. He wrote it on 30 November, after the announcement of the verdict, but before his transfer to the Zhodzina prison.
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Leanid Svetsik, Vitsebsk
However, the head of the ideological department, Aliaksandr Kulikou, sent him a demand to present any documents which confirm their powers, instead of giving an answer.
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Сassation, Minsk Regional Court
On November 5 from 10:00 to 14:00 hearing of cases was held in cassation instance of Minsk regional court. Panel of judges, chaired by Judge Kulakova considered the complaint of Aliaksey Lapitsky and Sviatlana Lapitskaya last. Continue reading »
n its Concluding Observations, the Committee against Torture makes a first harsh observation of the dialogue: Belarus’ delayed report prevented the experts for almost a decade from analysing the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
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The sentencing of leading Belarusian human rights defender, Ales Bialiatski to 4.5 years in prison last week is disappointing and we are concerned that it will have a negative impact on the ability of Belarusian civil society to operate freely and without fear.
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Таciana Reviaka, speech at a forum in Poznań
On 24 November, in Belarus, a politically motivated verdict was pronounced against a prominent human rights defender, leader of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”, Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Ales Bialiatski. He was found guilty of alleged “tax evasion on a large scale” and sentenced to four and a half years of imprisonment in a high security penal colony with confiscation of property.
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Ruslan Viliuha, Krupky
In the district center Krupky in the night of November 18 to 19 during a special operation “Law and order” militia acted lawless.
Quoting “Belarusian News», just one document refutes the so-called “refutation” of Minsk regional executive committee’s MIA, who claimed that “actions of militia officers from Krupky RDIA were completely legitimate”. Continue reading »
Appeal by Belarusian human rights defenders on a request by the state prosecutor to execute Dzmitry Kanavalau and Uladzislau Kavaliou
Belarusian human rights defenders strongly condemn the state prosecutor’s request to sentence to death Dzmitry Kanavalau and Uladzislau Kavaliou, defendants in the 11 April 2011 subway bombing trial. Continue reading »
The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources of a new hearing planned for December 2, 2011 against Mr. Valiantsin Stefanovich, Vice-Chairman of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”.
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As reported at the web site of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus, this institution is monitoring the performance of the judicial system. Therefore, citizens are asked to send their assessment and suggestions for improving judicial work. Human rights defenders of Vitebsk decided to respond to this request and sent to the Supreme Court their suggestions about work of general jurisdiction courts.
The reply recently received by human rights activists in response to their suggestion was disappointing. Continue reading »
GENEVA (24 November 2011) – Three United Nations independent experts warned that the new legislative amendments recently adopted by the National Assembly of Belarus may severely and arbitrarily restrict the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association and expression, and breach international law.
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