News for 2 ліпеня 2008
Hrodna: 1st National TV Channel vs. Uniate Christians
Believers of Hrodna Greek-Catholic parish of Our Lady of Fatima have addressed the administration of the 1st National Channel of the State TV and Radion Company of Belarus with an open letter. The reason is the broadcast of the film about Brest Union in the ‘Chronicle of Times’ cycle.
OSCE to send more than 300 observers to Belarus
The mission of the Bureau of Democratic Institutes and Human Rights of the OSCE has published a report with recommendations for monitoring of the election to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus. BDIHR OSCE recommends establishing a standard mission for monitoring of the election which will take place on 28 September. The experts point at the obstacles to effective monitoring of the poll during the earlier elections. The Bureau hopes that the Belarusian authorities will guarantee the access of monitors to monitoring of the poll.
More ‘Young Front’ members get arrested
The activist of the Young Front from Baranavichy Zmitser Stankevich was detained in the center of the city, near Lenin Square, while he was handing out leaflets with information about the political prisoner Andrei Kim. A violation report was drawn up on Stankevich. He was accused of petty hooliganism. On 1 June the activist was tried by court and sentenced to 10 days of arrest.
No registration for independent trade union in Rechytsa district
Rechytsa district executive committee refused to register Rechytsa district organization of the independent Belarusian trade union of workers of radio-electronic industry.
Parliamentary election. Events and generalizations
On 24 June Alexander Lukashenka signed decree #344 On appointment of the election to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus of the fourth convocation. According to this document, the election will take place on 28 September.
Report to electors or early agitation?
Regional press has started publishing articles about the merits of the present deputies.
Tax inspections pressurize families of opposition candidates
The democratic activists who have been nominated by oppositional political parties as candidates for the elections to the House of Representatives are called to tax departments. Relatives of opposition politicians are checked, too.
Minsk: authorities ban pickets of solidarity with political prisoner Kazulin
The Minsk local authorities forbade holding of pickets of solidarity with political prisoner Alexander Kazulin, former presidential candidate.
Democratic activist Katsiaryna Manchuk is expelled from Mazyr State University
The girl was called to talks in the dean’s office and was asked to stop her public activity. But the administration of the university insists the girl had been expelled due to her bad results at the examination period, RFE/RL reports.
Mahiliou authorities ban construction of monument to Holocaust victims
The Jewish community of Mahiliou has for the fourth time addressed the city authorities with a request to construct a monument in the place of mass extermination of Holocaust victims.
Zhodzina: police seize leaflets with information about the EU
An activist of the civil campaign European Belarus Raisa Kuprushyna was detained by police in Zhodzina when she collected signatures for Belarus’ joining the European Union.
‘Young Front’ activist Artsiom Lastavetski is tried while serving arrest
Artsiom Lastavetski, Young Front activist from Baranavichy, who is serving 7-day arrest for handing out portraits of political prisoner Andrei Kim, was guarded to another trial from a detention center.
Great changes in election districts of Mahiliou oblast
The greatest changes concern Krychau and Bykhau election districts. Former Kastsiukovichy election district has been completely divided between two neighboring election districts. Asipovichy election district is a new election district which has been established only this year.
Central Election Commission establishes election districts
By its ruling #16 of 25 June 2008 the Central Election Commission has established the electioin districts for the upcoming election to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.
Journalist of Radio ‘Liberty’ fined for ‘contempt of court’
On 30 June the journalist of Radio Liberty Liubou Luniova was fined 280 000 rubles (about 130 US dollars) for contempt or court because she had answered a telephone call during the trial of an activist of the Young Democrats who had been nominated to Central Election Commission by the political council of the United Civil Party.
Niasvizh authorities evict correspondent station of ‘Niasvizhski Chas’ newspaper
By its letter dated 30 June Niasvizh district executive committee prohibited the non-state newspaper Niasvizhski Chas to rent a premise for its correspondent station.
