News for 19 чэрвеня 2008
Vitsebski kurier newspaper warned
The Vitsebsk-based independent newspaper Vitsebski kurier was warned by the Ministry of Information for possessing a false editorial address and failing to inform the Ministry of their new address.
Zhanna Litvina: new mass media law will ruin Belarus-Europe dialogue
According to Zhanna Litvina, head of Belarusian Association of Journalists, by passing the regressive mass media bill Belarusian authorities will ruin Belarusian dialogue with EU bodies. - The bill is essential for our society, so why is it passed so fast then? There only one reason for that – after the upcoming parliamentary election the new deputies will blame the old parliament members for having adopted this bill, says Litvina.
Liabedzka warned for request to investigate Belarusian weapons export
UCPB leader Anatol Liabedzka was summonsed to the General Prosecutor’s office where he was warned of possible responsibility for libel as far as his request to investigate Belarusian weapon trade with Venezuela is concerned.
New Mass Media Law passed
Belarusian parliament has approved the bill that will considerably limit the rights of on-line mass media in the country, including obligatory registration of web resources that will be performed by the government.
Book about Parsiukevich released
Vitsebsk committee ‘For the Freedom of Siarhei Parsiukevich’ has issued a book about the political prisoner. The edition features a number of articles on the history of Parsiukevich’s detention and imprisonment. The book will be distributed among Vitsebsk businessmen and authorities.
Pastor tried for holding a mass
Pastor Leanid Akalovich was fined 1,000,000 roubles for consecrating a cross installed in the village of Drazhna (Minsk region) in honour of 25 peaceful people killed by Soviet partisans in 1943.
Detentions in Brest
Four young activists were detained during a Solidarity Day action in Brest on 16 June. The participants were standing in a line and holding the portraits of political prisoners. Two female activists were finally released without any charges.
National Bolsheviks appeal for official status
The notorious pro-violence National Bolsheviks have held a constituent assembly of a new organization The New Bolshevik Platform, which will soon try to obtain official status through appealing for registration to the Ministry of Justice.
Another claim sent to UN HR Committee
According to human rights activist Raman Kisliak, BPF member Siarhei Lazenka has filed an individual claim to the UN Human Rights Committee. The activist was detained on 19 August 2007 during an open session of BPF Brest regional office.
More trials in Druzhnaie
Another resident of the Village Druzhnaie (Minsk region) is charged with holding an unauthorized action in protest against the construction of a highly toxic chemical plant in the neighbourhood.
Court denies journalists’ rights
According to an official letter from judge Husakova, the Narodnaia volia newspaper will not be able to sue Belarusian parliamentary officials for denying accreditation to its journalist Maryna Koktysh.
