21.03.2013 Freedom Day picket banned in Salihorsk
Salihorsk district executive committee banned the March 24 rally in commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic – Freedom Day.
20.03.2013 Uladzimir Yaromenak taken to hospital
Uladzimir Yaromenak, activist of the Young Front youth opposition movement, was taken to hospital, after his condition deteriorated as a result of a trial he stood today, press-service of the "Young Front" reports.
20.03.2013 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to consider release and rehabilitation of political prisoners in its activities in Belarus
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) published on 12 March a new strategy for the Republic of Belarus designed for the next three years. It is noteworthy that the development of the concept paper was contributed to by representatives of Belarusian civil society.
20.03.2013 Baranavichy authorities ban picket on 95th anniversary of Belarusian People’s Republic
Activist Viktar Syrytsa received today a letter signed by the deputy chairman of the executive committee of Baranavichy Dzmitry Kastsiukevich. It reports that the city authorities do not give permission for the rally on March 25, 2013, dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the independence of the Belarusian People's Republic.
20.03.2013 “Young Front” activist Uladzimir Yaromenak gets three more days of arrest
The court of Minsk Pershamaiski District reconsidered today the case of the activist of “Young Front” Uladzimir Yaromenak, who was previously sentenced to an arrest for violation of preventive supervision. Disagreeing with the previous sentence (12 days in jail), Yaromenak appealed it at Minsk City Court.
20.03.2013 Court in Brest turns down lawsuit by independent journalist to protect honor and dignity
The court of Maskouski District of Brest announced today its judgment in the case of independent journalist Milana Kharytonava, who filed a lawsuit against reporter Uladzimir Minevich of the state newspaper “Brestskiy Vestnik”.
20.03.2013 Employer in Polatsk unwilling to reinstate trade union activist
The Polatsk Town Court held yesterday a preliminary hearing on the suit lodged by Viktar Stukau, activist of the Free Trade Union, who was sacked by his employer at the Polatsk-Shklovalakno state-owned enterprise. The parties have had the opportunity to come to terms, if the company’s administration supported the demands brought by the activist. However, this did not happen, and the trial will continue.
20.03.2013 Salihorsk Belarusian-speaking activists fight for language rights
A number of residents of the town of Salihorsk have addressed local authorities with an appeal to secure the actual equality of the Belarusian language with the other state language, Russian, as required by Article 17 of the Constitution and the Law “On Languages in the Republic of Belarus”.
20.03.2013 Reporters Without Borders: Poczobut can still be arrested
Reporters Without Borders welcomes last week’s decision to drop the charge of defaming Lukashenko that was brought in June 2012 against Andrzej Poczobut.
20.03.2013 Sweden to investigate teddy bear airdrop incident
The Swedish Prosecutor General's Office has announced it today.
19.03.2013 “European Perspective” NGO denied registration again
The Chief Department of Justice of Minsk city executive committee denied state of registration to the organizing committee of the public association “European Perspective”, referring to the applicant’s failure to specify the owner of the premises granted for legal address in the NGO’s letter of guarantee, www.belaruspartisan.org reports.
19.03.2013 Foreign ministry expresses hope that report by MEP Paleckis will help Belarus-EU dialogue
Minsk, 19 March. The Belarusian foreign ministry hopes that the report to be drawn up following the Minsk visit of a delegation of the European Parliament will help Belarus and the European Union step up their dialogue, the ministry's spokesman, Andrey Savinykh, told BelaPAN.
19.03.2013 Detentions for swearing reduced in 2013
Those who are "the most cynical" usually get objected to administrative responsibility.
19.03.2013 Krychau independent newspaper accused of libel
The Cherykau-based mobile mechanized column № 280 accuses the Krychau independent newspaper “Volny Horad” ("Free Town") of defamation. The facts stated in the complaint by the enterprise’s accountant are being checked by Krychau police. The allegations were also sent to Cherykau district prosecutor’s office.
19.03.2013 Maryna Adamovich: Paleckis should demand meeting with political prisoners
Maryna Adamovich, the wife of political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich, believes Justas Paleckis, European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Belarus, should meet with Belarusian prisoners of conscience, the Charter-97 website reports.
