Antonina Pivonos was fined in 2008 for attempting to present gifts to the famous Vitebsk oppositionist Boris Khamaida finally achieved justice: UN Committee on Human Rights ruled in her favor. Now, according to the committee, the Belarusian authorities are obliged to return the activist confiscated her property, reimburse her expenses and pay compensation.
The property referred to in the decision of the committee - is a tapestry on which Antonina Pivonos own embroidered words of the prayer "Our Father." This tapestry she wanted to give Boris Khamaida on 90th anniversary of the proclamation of the BNR. But it barely came up to the "Blue House", where Mr. Khamaida usually distributes independent press, and launched a tapestry, as was captured by police. Tapestry away, and the very activist detained, it was drawn up and forwarded to the court.
The trial took place on the day of arrest, March 25, 2008. Antonina Pivonos tried in vain to prove to the judge that giving a gift - it is by no means a mass event. Listen to it no one wanted. The massacre was soon Antonina Pivonos for allegedly participating in an unsanctioned picket was punished by a fine of two basic units.
Further attempts to defend their rights in Vitebsk Regional and Supreme Courts have not yielded fruit. Then Pivonos Antonina decided to seek protection in the Human Rights Committee. To examine all the facts and admit that the Belarusian authorities had indeed violated rights activists, the committee took four and a half years.
According to an official committee, the authorities had violated Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Part 2 of this article entitles residents of states - parties to the Covenant, one of which Belarus is a freely express their thoughts and share all kinds of ideas. This is what the law - which may be restricted only in certain cases: for the protection of the rights and reputation of others or the protection of national security, public order, health or morals - the authorities illegally stripped Vitsebsk activist.
Antonina Pivonos - not the first resident of Vitebsk, who managed to defend their rights, please contact the Human Rights Committee. Earlier positive decision taken by the committee on complaints Vitsebsk activists Helen Zaleskaya and Sergei Belezeko. In general, according to human rights activists, the recent residents of Vitebsk, and all over the country, finding truth in the Belarusian courts are turning for help to the specified authoritative UN body.
Will the resulting solution, which now and then A committee in support of victims of the representatives of the state, on the Belarusian authorities? They finally change laws so that they do not conflict with international agreements signed by Belarus, and legal practice in the country?
Vitebsk Spring
