03.03.2009 'Young Front' activists are fined for action in front of presidential administration

Five activists of the Young Front were detained for an unauthorized picket. They were standing with a streamer ‘No to political terror!’ in front of the administration of Lukashenka.

03.03.2009 ‘Young Front’ activist Artsiom Dubski placed to pre-trial prison in Asipovichy

The activist of the Young Front Artsiom Dubski has been placed to the pre-trial prison in Asipovichy in connection with a criminal case for evasion from punishment (personal restraint) that has been brought against him recently. The prosecutor has three days to decide whether to leave the activist in jail or release him under written undertaking not to leave the town.

27.02.2009 Belarusian border guards confiscated laptop from oppositionist

Artur Finkevich, leader of the “Young Belarus” movement, was confiscated his laptop by border guards.

It happened late at night on February 26, when Artur Finkevich was going to Warsaw. According to Radio Svaboda, he was got off the train Warsaw–Minsk.

Border guards searches his things and told Finkevich they took his laptop for a check which would last from 10 days to a month.

Border guards refused to say why they had searched Finkevich’s things. They said they had the right not to disclose certain information.

Artur Finkevich thinks that he is on the list of persons, who must be searched on the border. He has never had such problems before.

27.02.2009 Court recognized forcible draft of Franak Vyachorka “legal”

Minsk city court has upheld the ruling of the court of Savetski district which recognized draft of Franak Vyachorka legal.

The case of Franak Vyachorka was tried by judge Natallya Zhupikava. In September 2003 by her decision she liquidated human rights organisation “Legal assistance to the population”. In October 2003 Natallya Zhupikava prevented parents of students of Yakub Kolas Belarusian Humanities Lyceum from lodging a protest against liquidation of the institution. She denied demands of the parents to conduct the trial in Belarusian.

26.02.2009 Brest: court turns down complaint of BSDP ‘Hramada’ against picket ban in Brest

On 25 February Leninski district court of Brest turned down the appeal of Brest city organization of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada against the ban of the picket against the deterioration of the life standards of the region’s dwellers.

26.02.2009 Homel: arrested oppositionist declares hunger strike

The coordinator of the organizing committee for creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party in Homel Kanstantsin Zhukouski, who is serving the punishment in a remand prison, has announced a hunger strike.

25.02.2009 Mikhas Pashkevich speaks in support of Nasha Viasna

Mikhas Pashekvich, leader of the UCPB’s youth wing ‘Young Democrats’, has commented on the situation with the registration of the Nasha Viasna human rights organization. ‘The registration of Nasha Viasna is necessary to enable the professionals work freely and efficiently. The lists of the Ministry of Justice include a lot of puppet NGOs that nobody knows and nobody needs, only necessary for the sake of creating the décor. At the same time, members of Viasna have proved their competence, constantly running the risk of being prosecuted for illegal activities under Article 193. So the issue of Nasha Viasna’s registration might be another touchstone for Belarus. I do hope that the government will behave sensibly and refrain from confusing human rights activity with politics.’

24.02.2009 Franak Vyachorka was beaten on day he was called up

The military prosecutor’s office admitted the fact of beating of the leader of the “BPF Youth” on the day he was called up.

Father of the opposition activist, deputy head of the Belarusian Popular Front Vintsuk Vyachorka, received an answer to his complaint of January 29 from the Minsk inter-garrison prosecutor’s office.

The answer, signed by lieutenant colonel of justice A. Vasilyuk, deputy head of the Minsk inter-garrison military prosecutor, informed Vintsuk Vyachorka that he was denied instigation of a criminal case against staff of the recruiting center of the Savetski district and the 432nd Main military clinic medical center on the ground using physical force and abuse of power.

24.02.2009 Zmitser Khvedaruk to be operated today

Forcefully drafted into army “Young Front” activist Zmitser Khvedaruk is at Republican Military Hospital in Minsk.

As Charter’97 press center has learnt from the activist is to be operated on varicose veins today.

“At first I was taken to hospital in Barysau, where doctors said they would operate me only on April 14, because they didn’t have enough places. Later, when I returned to the military unit, I was sent to Minsk to undergo analyses, and they decided to operate me today,” Zmitser Khvedaruk said.

20.02.2009 Will Young Front be finally registered?

Over 30 Belarusian towns have received applications from the Young Front movement, asking for permission to hold a constituent assembly so that the organization’s local offices can obtain legal addresses. It is Young Front’s fifth attempt to receive state registration. ‘The Ministry of Justice has declared a campaign of registration of Belarusian NGOs. Most of them are local pro-government initiatives receiving official status from local authorities. The Belarusian authorities seem to be showing their willingness to develop and liberalize the civil and political spheres. So Young Front has arrived at a decision to initiate another attempt to obtain registration starting from its local offices. The decision by local authorities will be an evidence of their evidence to start a genuine dialogue with the society,’ says Young Front Chair Zmitser Dashkevich.

20.02.2009 Ivan Shyla in army threatened with disciplinary battalion

Ivan Shyla, forcefully drafted into army “Young Front” activist, suffers pressure from the commanders of the military unit.

Radio Svaboda learnt this from youth leader Ivan Shyla’s father.

“Firstly, he is accused of being a pretender and being ill too often. Secondly, they are trying to blame him for reading such “provocative” editions as “Nasha Niva” newspaper and “Arche” magazine. Ivan’s talks with soldiers are called political activity, he is threatened with a disciplinary battalion. They say his activity is political, which is unlawful, so, they need to take measures,” he says.

19.02.2009 Khvedaruk denied surgery and sent back to army

Zmitser Khvedaruk, forcefully drafted into army “Young Front” activist, was postponed a surgery till 14 March. He has to serve in the military unit in Zhodzina on the same basis as other soldiers.

Zmitser Khvedaruk had a medical examination in polyclinic # 14 yesterday, website mfront.net reports.

It was planned that the activist would be hospitalized after the examination and analyses. It should be reminded that he has a varicose vein and needs a surgery.

18.02.2009 Franak Vyachorka to be taken to hospital in Minsk

Leader of “The Youth of BPF” Franak Vyachorka is to be taken to military hospital in Minsk where it will be decided whether he should stay in Minsk or be taken to hospital in Babruisk.

Franak Vyachorka told it “Nasha Niva” newspaper on the phone.

He said he had high blood pressure and problems with heart after physical exercises.

18.02.2009 Supreme Court recognized military agreements of Lukashenka and Russia lawful

The Supreme Court dismissed a request of the “Young Front” organization asking to make a motion to the Constitutional Court for recognition of agreements signed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Moscow unconstitutional and threatening the independence of Belarus.

The “Young Front” press service reminds that according to Belarusian laws, persons or organizations can’t appeal the Constitutional Court directly. Only Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the “national assembly”, the Council of Ministers, the Supreme Court, or the Superior Economic Court have this rights.

18.02.2009 UCP to strive for mixed voting method

During a press-conference on 18 February, Anatol Liabedzka, Chair of the United Civic Party of Belarus, declared that the party would initiate a public campaign to introduce changes to the Constitution in order to transfer the Belarusian electoral code to the mixed voting method. According to Mr.Liabedzka, the propositions were sent to the President’s administration and the OSCE ODIHR. Mr.Liabedzka says the existing majority rule fails to prove its value. The UCPB suggests introducing the so called proportional representation system, by making amendments to the Constitution and the Electoral Code of Belarus. ‘It might be an additional stimulus for the development of the multi-party system in Belarus,’ said the UCPB leader.