13.02.2009 More political prisoners in Belarus?

Arrest of the leaders of entrepreneurs’ movement Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Liavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka makes obvious the new wave of political repressions in Belarus. It has been stated by human rights activists, activists of the Belarusian opposition and former political prisoners at a press-conference held on 12 February in Minsk.

13.02.2009 ‘European Belarus’ activists picket KGB

On 12 February activists of the civil campaign European Belarus held a picket near the KGB office in Minsk demanding to release arrested Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Liavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka.

10.02.2009 Hantsavichy: Ales Zanko has been released from jail

While being examined by a medical commission concerning his fitness for work, Ales Zanko had to apply for help to the oblast department of health care. The vice-headmaster of Hantsavichy district hospital Yauhen Nestsiarchuk took revenge on Zanko for it. He applied to the police with the statement that Mr. Zanko insulted him with foul language. In addition, he got the head of Hantsavichy house economy refuse to employ Ales Zanko. As a result, instead of getting a job Ales was imprisoned for 10 days. When Radio Racyja asked judge Uladzimir Kosmach why the punishment was so severe, the latter refused from commenting on it and said only that he issued the verdict with the account of the delinquent’s personality. Bear in mind that Ales Zanko is the son of a well-known opposition activist Mikalai Zanko.

06.02.2009 Military officers confirm there was an order for drafting of Zmitser Khvedaruk

Zmitser Khvedaruk’s parents are gathering documents proving their son was unlawfully drafted for military service. They don’t have the results of the medical examination of Zmitser. They and staff of the college, where the activist studies, are gathering documents that may prove Zmitser was drafted into army unlawfully.

04.02.2009 The use of tortures against opposition is the reality for Lukashenka’s Belarus

Belarusian human rights activists report about facts of torturing of the opposition by representatives of the Belarusian law machinery.

03.02.2009 Office of Prosecutor General leaves warning to Liabedzka and Pashkevich in force

The Office of the Prosecutor General upheld the official warning that had been issued by the deputy Prosecutor General Aliaksei Stuk to the leader of the United Civil Party and the leader of the UCP youth wing, Young Democrats, Mikhail Pashkevich, for having allegedly organized the printing of the newspaper Glotok Vozdukha.

27.01.2009 MEPS protest against forceful drafting of Belarusian oppositionists

Jacek Protasiewicz, head of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Belarus, concerns about practice of forceful call-up for military service in Belarus.

His statement issued on January 26 says it.

The Polish MEP notes medical conclusions of draftees are reviewed in Belarus, and officers of the secret services take active part in forceful call-up, BelaPAN reports.

This practice causes serious doubts that compulsory military service is used as a type of political repressions against opposition activists, says the statement of the head of the delegation for relations with Belarus.

23.01.2009 Franak Viachorka’s draft delayed

Minsk Savetski Borough Court resolved to suspend the process of drafting the BPF’s Youth leader Franak Viachorka, after he appealed against the numerous violations by military officials and medics as he was forced to join the army. On 21 January Franak Viachorka was detained by plainclothes policemen as he was undergoing a medical examination in one of Minsk hospitals. The young politician had previously had an eye surgery and therefore was granted deferment from military service. However, Viachorka was informed he would soon be taken to a military unit.

15.01.2009 Young Front activist faces criminal prosecution for draft dodging

Siarzhuk Huminski, member of the Young Front movement, who was forced to leave Belarus due to political oppression from the state and has spent over a year in Poland, is now facing criminal sentence for draft dodging. The activist is officially wanted by the police.

15.01.2009 Hrodna University brings to account politically active student

Aleh Pronski, For Freedom activist and coordinator of the For European Masty Region campaign, has been questioned by Aliaksandr Duduk, vice-rector of Hrodna State Agriculture University, concerning his public activity. During the conversation that lasted for about ten minutes, Aleh was shown photos taken during the Kalinouski brothers annual memorial festival in Svislach and other materials on the event from the dzida.org web-site.

12.01.2009 ‘Young Front’ activist Ivan Shyla is drafted into army

Ivan Shyla, deputy head of Salihorsk branch of Young Front, was found fit for military service. He was guarded to the military enlistment office.

08.01.2009 Army drafting as a means for neutralization of political activists

Pavel Kuryianovich, activist of the civil campaign European Belarus, is threatened with being drafter to the army.

12.12.2008 Ministry of Justice demands explanations concerning activities of BPF Youth

The Ministry of Justice submitted to the Board of the Belarusian Popular Front Party the demand to present information on BPF Youth. In the text of the ministry’s request it is also said that all structures of political parties must be created on territorial principle. ‘Therewith, according to the information of the Ministry of Justice, recently the activities of a structure of the BPF Party – BPF Youth have started. In particular, on 25-26 October 2008 the assembly of this structure was held and its chairman was elected,’ writes the deputy minister of justice A.Bileichyk.

12.12.2008 Pressurization of member of ‘For Freedom’ movement

Officers of law-enforcement agencies pressurize Siarhei Trafimchyk, a member of the unregistered movement For Freedom from the settlement of Biarozauka. On 12 December people in civvies paid a visit to his apartment. They tried to find out the reasons for his critical attitude to the authorities.

11.12.2008 Homel: Christian democrats are considered as extremists

Democratic activist, psychiatrist Siarhei Tryfanau was warned about the inadmissibility of participation in extremist organizations by his bosses.