News on 2.04.2008

2.04.2008

Participants of protest action near Russian embassy arrested (Photo, video) 22

17:43, — Politics

“No to Russia, yes to Europe!” Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” planed to hold an action near the Russian embassy under this slogan. But militia didn’t let youth activists express their protest against Russia’s offence against independence of our country.

NATO Representative: We do not have intention to invite Lukashenka 8

15:59, — Politics

The Foreign Ministry of Belarus has made a statement today that Belarus refuses to take part in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) summit in Bucharest on April 3.

Lithuanian journalists can’t take back their unlawfully seized video tape 3

15:44, — Politics

“As for today we haven’t received any response from the Belarusian side on the demand of the National Lithuanian Television (LTR) to give them back videotape footage and compensate for repair of damaged during the detention camera,” said TV correspondent Ruta Ribaciauskiene said on 2 April.

Vyacheslau Kebich: “Day of Russia and Belarus’ unity is artificial holiday” 7

14:06, — Politics

Today Alyaksandr Lukashenka has congratulated citizens of Belarus and Russia with the “day of unity”. However, the day of April 2 is not considered a holiday by most citizens of our country, as well as by such pro-Russian politicians as the former Prime Minister Vyachaslau Kebich.

Real unemployment rate in Belarus not less than 15 per cent 2

13:42, — Economics

The Ministry of Statistics and Analyse of Belarus said the unemployment rate in the country amounts to 1.1 per cent of economically stable population (last year unemployment level was 1.2 per cent). Independent experts think these figures are incorrect.

Belarusian Association of Journalists requires Prosecutor General not to hinder work of journalists

13:21, — Politics

The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) appealed today to Prosecutor General of Belarus Ryhor Vasilevich on the occasion of the searches, carried out by KGB officers in offices and apartments of independent journalists on 27 and 28 March.

Belarus is not considered a partner by NATO any more? 4

13:06, — Politics

The Belarusian side finds the decision of the NATO on limiting the level of participation of the partner-country delegation o in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) unacceptable, and for reasons of principle refuses to take part in the summit.

Official Minsk suggests U.S. cut embassy staff to seven 26

12:42, — Politics

The Belarusian side wants to reduce the number of its diplomats in the United Nations and U.S. ones in Belarus on a parity basis, according to the formula one plus six,” deputy foreign minister Viktar Haisyanok told journalists on 2 April. It means an ambassador and six diplomatic representatives should work in embassy.

Syarhei Parsyukevich: truth is stronger and we will win

12:06, — Politics

The Committee for Defence of the Repressed “Salidarnast” received a letter from Sayrhei Parsyukevich, Vitsebsk entrepreneur and political prisoner.

Andrei Tsyanyuta: “Prison guards addressed us politely and talked almost in whispers” 5

11:35, — Politics

“Prison guards addressed us politely and almost in whispers,” told Andrei Tsyanyuta, an activist of the Young Front and a member of the organising committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD), about the 10-day detention in a remand prison of Homel, where he was able even to use a phone (!).

Sevyarynets arrested for... collecting votes for freedom of conscience defence

10:42, — Politics

In the prosecutor’s office of the Tsentralny district of Minsk youth leader Paval Sevyarynets was acquainted with a report, drawn up against him on violation the article 9.10 of the Administrative Code. The opposition activist is accused of unauthorised collecting of votes for amendments to laws on religion. Sevyarynets is at large now, but he may face a big fine.

Pressure on Kazulin rose after U.S. sanctions imposing 7

9:52, — Politics

A letter from the Penal Correction Department received by Alyaksandr Kazulin’s daughter Yulya on 1 April wasn’t an April Fool's Day joke. The administration of the penal colony, where the political prisoner is serving his term, refused officially to change the remaining part of the term to milder penalty.

When arrested paintings will be given back to artist Marachkin?

9:19, — Politics

Having served 5 days of administrative arrest, Alyaksei Marachkin sent an appeal to the internal affairs department of Tsentralny district of Minsk on returning the seized works of art to him.