News on 16.11.2007

16.11.2007

Zmiter Barodka: «I‘ll remember words of support all my life» 5

16:54, — Politics

Today the family of democratic activist Zmiter Barodka has a double holiday. On his birthday the politician took his twin sons from the Minsk Area Children Clinical Hospital. His wife had premature labour because Zmiter had been arrested. The babies needed urgent medical help.

Chamber of representatives looks for extremists

15:10, — Politics

Amendments to the law on extremism have been adopted in the first reading by the Belarusian “chamber of representatives” on November 16.

If ILO’s recommendations aren’t been fulfiled, sanctions will be tighten 1

14:23, — Politics

A report on fulfilment the ILO’s recommendations by Belarus was heard yesterday in Geneva. The question was severe: if Belarus doesn’t fulfil the recommendations, the sanctions will be strengthened.

Lukashenka: «Students buy expensive clothes and spend vacations abroad» 17

12:38, — Politics

“We shall move from general benefits to individual aid for those who need it most. And this is not a compulsory measure induced by the alleged economic plight, as some want to present it,” Aliaksandar Lukashenka said at the meeting on state aid for the nation held on Friday.

You’d better demonstrate humanism to political prisoners 2

10:46, — Politics

A draft law “On amnesty of some persons, committed crimes” was adopted by the “council of the republic” on Friday. When presenting the document, Natallia Andreichyk, head of the commission on legislation and state development, said that “the law’s aim is to show humanism to the people who have committed socially-dangerous acts.”

16 November is day of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn icon 1

10:40, — Religion

16 November is the day of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn (Ostra Brama) icon. The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy from the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius is venerated by the Christians as a patroness of Belarus and Lithuania. Annually pilgrimages to Vilnius are organised to celebrate the holy day of Our Lady of Ostra Brama. Many Belarusian churches have paintings of her.

Kabiakou: We’re given insane tasks (Video) 11

10:35, — Economics

It wasn’t only the head of state who was talking crossly at the last meeting. Ministers were very irritated too when… they were arguing with Lukashenka.

Solidarity will help to change situation in Belarus

10:30, — Politics

The day of Belarusian Solidarity is celebrated in Belarus and all over the world today, November, 16. The actions calling the Belarusian authorities to release political prisoners and start democratic reforms will be organised in European and US cities.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner: “We want to work directly for Belarusian people” 1

10:03, — Politics

On November 15 the European Parliament approved admission of 9 new EU members to Schengen zone since December 21. European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner has been asked whether the EU would change its attitude towards Belarus after expansion of Schengen zone.

Freezing of Belneftekhim assets has no link with Venezuelan project

9:21, — Politics

The USA Embassy in Belarus said Washington’s resolution to freeze the assets of Belneftekhim had nothing to do with the Belarusian-Venezuelan project. “The decision to freeze the assets of Belneftekhim on the US territory is not a preventive measure against the Belarusian-Venezuelan project on oil mining in the Orinoco valley,” representatives of the Embassy remarked.

Release political prisoners and sleep a peaceful sleep 7

8:58, — Politics

That’s the essence of the address by the US and the whole civilized world to the Belarusian regime. Belarusian officials forget that sanctions against Lukashenka’s regime have been introduced because of cruel crackdown on opposition, massive violations of human rights and non-fulfillment of the 12 proposals of the EU aimed at normalization of relations between Belarus and the civilized world. According to human rights activists, dozens thousands people have been repressed over the years of Lukashenka’s rule. It means several thousands people a year are arrested, beaten up, fired, expelled from universities; their families are intimidated. The main requirements of the EU are to release political prisoners and stop repressions.