Belarusian defense lawyer and human rights activist, and thus, target of harassment by the Belarusian authoritarian regime.
|
![[ Photograph: Vera Stremkovskaya ]](../images/strempicsm.jpg)
|
Go to the [ A Belarus Miscellany Topic List | Who's Who | Famous Belarusians | Human Rights | News Sources on the WWW ]
Search the A Belarus Miscellany Web site
"Vera Stremkovskaya, a Belarusian lawyer known for defending numerous opposition leaders in court, severely criticized Belarus' human rights record at a European Bar Association conference in Berlin, which was held on April 28 and 29. Lawyers from 20 countries in Europe attended the conference."
"Ms. Stremkovskaya cited various examples of human rights violations and politically motivated prosecutions. The lawyer said that prosecutors are reluctant to investigate beatings of demonstrators by police."
"Ms. Stremkovskaya said that the Belarusian lawyers' main problem is the lack of independence, especially after the issue of a presidential decree which requires all practicing lawyers to be members of a centralized system of lawyers' collegia which are tightly controlled by the justice ministry."
"She said that many lawyers are afraid to participate in political trials and defend opposition demonstration participants in court. She also criticized Belarus' criminal legislation."
"Natalya Andreichik, chairwoman of the Belarusian National Lawyers' Collegium, took the floor after Ms. Stremkovskaya. She rejected criticism of Belarus' legal system. Ms. Andreichik said that Belarus is a democracy, that no one prevents lawyers from practicing in the country, and that the country's legislation has been improving."
"Ms. Stremkovskaya says that she may have problems at her work after her critical speech."
"Vera Stremkowskaya, a Belarusian lawyer known for representing opponents of the government, has received a reprimand for disregard for professional ethics. The reprimand was issued at a session held by the Presidium of the Minsk City Lawyers Collegium (bar association) on March 6 [2000], and presided over by Valery Mitrofanov. The rebuke followed a inspection of the Pervomaisky district's legal advice office where Ms. Stremkovskaya is employed. Speaking at the bar association's session the lawyer defined the reprimand as politically motivated pressure."
"Among Ms. Stremkovskaya's clients were Vasily Starovoitov, the former head of a leading agricultural business in Belarus; Andrei Klimov, a member of the 13th Supreme Soviet (Lukashenko-outlawed parliament), and Anatoly Silivonchik, a Russian businessman of Belarusian origin. Ms. Stremkovskaya also represented street protest participants, including Nikolai Statkevich, the leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party."
"Being at the head of the non-governmental Human Rights Center, she organized several international conferences on the human rights situation in Belarus. She is the winner of two prestigious international awards. In the opinion of Ms. Stremkovskaya, her human rights activities were the reason for harassment on the part of the authorities."
"The German Bar Association give a prize to Vera Stremkovskaya, a Belarusian lawyer known for representing opponents of the country's current regime, during an international lawyers' conference held in the German city of Karlsruhe in early October. Ms. Stremkovskaya delivered a report to the conference participants."
"During her visit to Germany, the Belarusian lawyer met with the German president. She updated him on the situation in Belarus. The German president was particularly interested in the activities of the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus. Ms. Stremkovskaya said that talks between the government and opposition make no point at a time when political figures disappear, political opponents stay in jail, and independent newspapers are closed down."
"Belarusian lawyer Vera Stremkovskaya received an international annual human rights award at a ceremony in Atlanta on August 10 [1999]. The prominent human rights activist, who represents political dissidents and other clients unpopular with the regime of Aleksandr Lukashenko, had been nominated by the American Bar Association. As Ms. Stremkovskaya told BelaPAN, President Bill Clinton greeted participants at the award presentation ceremony, which took place during the American Bar Association's annual session. Mr. Clinton emphasized the lawyers' role in improving the judicial system and defending human rights. Ms. Stremkovskaya had an opportunity to talk to the US leader in private. According to her, she expressed her personal opinion about the United States' policy regarding Belarus."
"In the White House, Ms. Stremkovskaya also met with Hillary Clinton. They reportedly discussed the Chernobyl [Chornobyl] problem, possible assistance to children whose health was affected by the accident and the functioning of non-governmental organizations in Belarus. The US first lady was interested in the human rights situation in Belarus and expressed concern about what appears to be politically motivated prosecution and disappearances of people."
"Ms. Stremkovskaya visited the US Department of State and a number of non-governmental organizations, in particular Amnesty International. She discussed possible joint efforts to improve the human rights situation in Belarus."
"The Belarusian lawyer also met with J.F. Kennedy's daughter, Kerry [Caroline?], and US Ambassador to Belarus Daniel Speckhard."
"The American Bar Association presented an annual human rights award to Belarusian lawyer Vera Stremkovskaya who represents political dissidents and other clients unpopular with the regime of Aleksandr Lukashenko."
"Among Ms. Stremkovskaya's clients are Vasily Starovoitov, head of a leading agricultural business in Belarus; Andrei Klimov, a member of Belarus' disbanded parliament, and Anatoly Silivonchik, a Russian businessman of Belarusian origin. Ms. Stremkovskaya also represented participants in opposition demonstrations, including Nikolai Statkevich, the leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party."
"The other person honored is Zainur Zakaria of Malaysia. Zakaria has been serving on the defense team of Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's former deputy prime minister, who was convicted of abuse of power in a highly politicized trial criticized for unfairness. Ibrahim is now being tried on sodomy charges."