News on 10.12.2007

10.12.2007

Business steps out of the shade (Photo-report)

18:24, — Politics

Thousand of entrepreneurs have taken to Minsk streets today. They marched from Kastrychnitskaya Square to Nezalezhnasti Square to inform the authorities about requirements to give freedom for private business and abolish decrees of Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Viktar Ivashkevich and entrepreneurs remain in prison till trial 1

18:18, — Politics

Viktar Ivashkevich, deputy head of the Belarusian Popular Front, and detained leaders of entrepreneurs Viktar Garbachou, Viktar Kryval, Viktar Kalei, Alyaksandr Tsetsura, Alyaksandr Makaeu, democratic activists Barys Garetski, Krystina Shatikova and Alyaksei Kashkarou were detained till the trial, which is to be held on 11 December.

UN Security Council was urged to consider situation in Belarus

18:13, — Politics

The human rights activists urge the UN Security Council to come back to consideration of human rights violation in Belarus. “We urge the permanent members of the UN Security Council to come back to consideration of problems, connected with violation of human rights in Belarus,” says the statement of the organising committee on formation the Public Commission on Rehabilitation of Victims of Political repressions.

National Human Rights Award in 2007

17:55, — Politics

The organizing committee of the Charter’97 has nominated candidates of the National Human Rights Award in 2007. This award was founded by the Charter’97 civil initiative in 1998. Ivonna Matsukevich is to be awarded in the category “For defense of human rights and Christian values”. She is the chairperson of the committee of St. Joseph’s parish in Minsk. The creative association “Pahonya” is awarded in the category “For defense of human rights and freedom of artistic creativity”. The winner in the category “For personal courage in human rights protection” is a human rights activist and wife of a political prisoner, Tastyana Klimava-Leanovich.

A Thousand of Brave Men 49

17:55, — Politics

1000 of entrepreneurs have gathered together on Kastrychnitskaya (October) Square in Minsk to express their protest against Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s decrees which will ruin their business since the beginning of the new year.

Volga Kazulina: «Authorities themselves increases rating of opposition» 1

17:36, — Politics

Volga Kazulina was set free with apologies after she had spent about hour and a half in the Central District Internal Affairs Department. No reports were drawn up.

Officials invited participants of protest action to center of culture in Svetlagorsk

17:27, — Politics

“This meeting is red-hot. Of course, the officials don’t know the answer to our questions. When entrepreneurs say about their problems, when people say they have disabled children, they hear only roundabouts: “You understand we don’t take such decisions, we must only fulfil them...” public activist Iryna Savastyova said to Radio Svaboda.

Russia putting pressure on Lukashenka

17:25, Iryna Khalip, “Novaya Gazeta” — Politics

A short report of the Echo of Moscow last Friday exploded the informational space of Russian and Belarus.

Anatol Lyabedzka beaten up by people in mufti 19

16:21, — Politics

The leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka has been beaten up today in Minsk after the protest rally of entrepreneurs.

Vyachaslau Siuchyk: “Fate of the detained depends on political will of authorities” 2

15:31, — Politics

“Will the detained entrepreneurs be released, or wheter they will stand trial, depends on the political decision of the regime,” the Charter’97 press-center has been told by a politician Vyachaslau Siuchyk.

Entrepreneurs are pressurized

13:45, — Politics

Today morning organizers of the rally of entrepreneurs on Kastrychnitskaya Square Alyaksandr Makaeu and Viktar Kryval have been detained in Minsk.

Belarusians get ready for Putin's visit

13:25, — Politics

In view of Vladimir Putin’s visit and escalation of the threat of signing the “union state” agreement, in line with the ruling of the congress and of the council, the Belarusian Popular Front party calls upon Belarusians to gather on Kastrychnitskaya square in Minsk with a slogan: “For independent Belarus!”

Viktar Ivashkevich arrested 3

13:21, — Politics

Viktar Ivashkevich, deputy head of the Belarusian Popular Front, has been arrested. The politician was detained when he was walking near Kastrychnitskaya Square. The politician was guarded to the Central District Internal Affairs Department.

Belsat starts broadcasting 35

9:59, — Politics

Since December 10 a first independent TV channel for Belarusians, Belsat, is launched. It is a co-project of Polish government and the Polish public television.

Lyavon Barshcheuski: «Main thing is defence of our Motherland’s independence »

8:21, — Politics

The objective of the Belarusian Popular Front’s activity headed by Lyavon Barshcheuski will be defence of independence of Belarus.