13.01.2011 Belarus – Widespread searches and judicial harassment of human rights defenders following Presidential Elections

Numerous individual human rights defenders and organisations have been subjected to police and judicial harassment, ill-treatment, searches and raids carried out at their offices and homes, since the unrest which followed the Presidential Elections of 19 December 2010.

10.09.2010 Minsk authorities ban informational pickets

Mr. Tsitsiankou, Deputy Chairperson of the Minsk City Executive Committee, thinks that such actions will hinder the movement of pedestrians.

07.09.2010 ’Movement Forward’ is deprived of registration

On 6 September the research and educational establishment Movement Forward lodged a lawsuit with the Supreme Economical Court asking to reverse the verdict of the cassation instance of the Minsk City Economical Court of 25 August that had left standing the verdict of the court of 29 July 2010 #608-19/10.

25.02.2010 Lidzia Yarmoshyna: The operation of election commissions is absolutely transparent

The operation of election commissions is absolutely transparent, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Lidia Yermoshina told the Belaruskaya Dumka Magazine in an interview.

09.02.2010 Belarusian observers report minor violations in Ukrainian presidential election

Belarusian ENEMO (European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations) mission observers have recorded a number of violations during the presidential election in Ukraine, the BelaPan news agency reports quoting the Network’s long-term observers coordinator Ali Aliev. However, the violations were not systematic and failed to affect the election results.

21.12.2009 OSCE delegation discuss amendments to electoral code with opposition

On its two-day visit to Minsk, the OSCE delegation held a meeting with representatives of various pro-democratic forces of Belarus, including Anatol Liabedzka, Siarhei Kaliakin, Anatol Liaukovich, Yury Hubarevich, Vital Rymasheuski and Dzmitry Dashkevich.

15.12.2009 European Commission: Lukashenka’s participation in presidential election contradicts democratic principles

In its estimation of the upcoming election campaigns in Belarus, the EU is to be basing upon the conclusion of the OSCE, stated another OSCE representative.

03.12.2009 Central Election Commission and Parliament leave little hope to international observers

The international observers see no significant improvements in the conditions for election campaigning in Belarus even after the amendment of the electoral legislation. The experts show that the corrupt practice of non-admission of observers to counting of votes will be still used during the local elections ‘2010.

01.12.2009 ODIHR has not received Electoral Code amendments for review, spokesman says

The Belarusian authorities have not presented draft amendments to the Electoral Code to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) for review despite an appropriate agreement reached this past February, Jens Eschenbaecher, spokesman for the institution, told BelaPAN.

06.11.2009 Hunger-striker Bandarenka placed to prison hospital

The businessman Andrei Bandarenka started his hunger-strike on 19 October. He protests against the verdict issued by the Pershamaiski district court of Minsk.

30.10.2009 Opposition demands Yarmoshyna’s resignation

A new composition of the central Election Commission should prepare for the local elections in Belarus.

Leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka told this at a press conference in Minsk, BelaPAN reports.

“The UCP Political Council says the Central Election Commission should resign because its decisions and actions have undermined confidence of electorate and international organizations in the institutions of elections. So, the UCP suggests forming a new composition of the CEC on a pluralistic basis,” Anatol Lyabedzka said.

23.10.2009 Amendments to Electoral Code turn lipstick

On 20 October during a meeting with President Lukashenka, head of the Central Electoral Committee Mrs. Lidziya Yarmoshyna spoke on the changes to be introduced to the Belarusian electoral legislation. Political parties, whose member wants to run in the election, will not have to possess a regional office within the territory of the respective constituency. Besides, signature sheets will not have to be approved by local authorities before their submission to the Central Electoral Committee. Grounds for denying registration to a candidate will also be reviewed. Apart from that, voter turnout quota will be lifted in the upcoming local elections. However, the quota for presidential and parliamentary elections will be preserved.

14.10.2009 OSCE is disappointed with absence of progress in electoral system of Belarus

Janez Lenarcic, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, sees no interest of the Belarusian authorities in liberalizing the Electoral Code.

23.09.2009 Over 50 politicians, civil and cultural figures sign address to General Prosecutor’s Office

Over 50 Belarusian politicians, civil and cultural figures have signed an address to the General Prosecutor’s Office, demanding to initiate a criminal case, following President Lukashenka’s statement, admitting the 2006 presidential election was rigged. ‘We would like to address every organization concerned with reforming the existing electoral legislation, with a demand to sign the statement. Lukashenka’s declarations in his interview with the Izvestiya newspaper are an open challenge to both Belarusian politicians and ordinary citizens, and the civilized international community. Lack of response would mean accepting the role of silent creatures.’ The statement will be lodged with the Prosecutor’s Office on 24 September, says one of the initiators of the campaign and UCPB leader Anatol Liabedzka.

28.08.2009 Dictator confirmed rigging presidential elections

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said the results of the presidential elections 2006 were rigged.

The Belarusian ruler told in an interview published in “Izvestia” newspaper on August 27: “I have information that 93% voted for me at he last elections. Later, when I felt pressure, I admitted that the elections had been forged. I told then: “Yes, they are forged.” I ordered that the results should be about 80%, I don’t remember the exact figure, but not 93%. 90 is difficult for perception. But this is true.”