Outcomes of the Year: Our Version :: Charter'97 :: News

On the New Year eve Charter’97 press-center drew the conclusions of the year 2002. Throughout the year our news updates recorded everything worth attention, which was taking place in our country. One could hardly call political and public life in the country in the past year dull and quiet. Here’s what we got at the end.

Figure of the Year – Alexander Lukashenko’s Rating’s Sharp Fall in Sept. 2002

Absolute majority of Belarusians are opposed to amending the Constitution, which would enable Alexander Lukashenko to nominate himself for a third consecutive presidential term – such were the results of the September national opinion poll, conducted by the NISEPI pollsters. The greatest decrease in Alexander Lukashenko’s rating occurred back in April this year – from 46 to 30,9%. In September this year less respondents would vote for him – 27%. In Minsk the figure constitutes only 22,4%. The overwhelming majority of Belarusians (57,2%) are displeased with how Alexander Lukashenko is ruling the country. His average grade (under a five-grade system) is 2,82%.

Action of the Year – Protest March “Can’t Live Like That!” on April 19

Slogans, raised by the action’s participants were of social character. People mentioned low living standards, Lukashenko’s responsibility for the impoverishment of Belarusians, demanded the reimbursement of lost deposits and rise of stipends, wages and pensions. The authorities applied most brutal measures to the protesters – over a hundred people were arrested, hundreds were beaten during the dispersal. The march, despite its crackdown, manifested to the world that the Belarusian resistance is undefeatable.

Verdict of the Year – Lawsuits Against Journalists

Last year three Belarusian journalists were sentenced to various terms of freedom restriction for criticizing Alexander Lukashenko. Editor-in-chief of the forbidden newspaper “Pagonya” Nikolai Markevich was sentenced to two and a half years of involuntary labor, while correspondent of the same newspaper Pavel Mozheiko – to two years. The journalists were incarcerated for publishing the materials, dedicated to presidential elections, and for calling into question Lukashenko’s right for re-election owing to his alleged implication in “death squads” – criminal gang, abducting the regime’s opponents. Both journalists got their terms curtailed by one year due to the amnesty.

“Rabochy” editor-in-chief Viktor Ivashkevich was condemned to two years of freedom restriction for “disrespecting and libeling the incumbent”. Criminal lawsuit was instituted by the Pervomaisky district procuracy of Minsk in August 2001 after the newspaper published in its pre-election issue an article “A Thief Belongs to Prison”. The material revealed corruption in the top echelons of power.

Scandal of the Year – Czech Authorities’ Refusal to Allow Alexander Lukashenko to Engage in NATO’s Prague Summit and EU Travel Ban, Imposed on Lukashenko and His Cabinet’s Members

Among those blacklisted were, apart from Lukashenko, Prime Minister Gennady Novitsky, KGB chief Leonid Erin, Defense Minister Leonid Maltsev, Interior Minister Vladimir Naumov, State Security secretary Gennady Nevyglas, Foreign Minister Mikhail Khvostov, Minister of justice Viktor Golovanov. The EU member-states were upheld in that move by the US Administration, which introduced similar sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko. The reason for that was a conflict around OSCE, along with Belarus’ permanent disregard for human rights and democratic principles.

Failure of the Year – Absence of the Unique Democratic Bloc Ahead of Local Elections

Belarusian opposition democratic parties haven’t set up a democratic bloc at the local elections, scheduled for March 2, 2003 and will engage in the ballot independently. As a result, only a few democrats managed to be included into the make-up of the district and territorial electoral commissions. Lack of proper coordination in opposition ranks may ultimately lead to a situation, when only several democrats will manage to get through into the local authorities. Moreover, the parties failed to reach consensus on the separation of constituencies even in the Belarusian capital…

Protest of the Year – Strike of Entrepreneurs

In course of the year the Belarusian entrepreneurs arranged a few national strikes, attracting around 100thsd people. Country’s largest marketplaces and exhibition fairs halted operation for a few weeks, as far as the businessmen refused to work, despite the serious damage, incurred by their business. Entrepreneurs’ tide of protest was provoked by the government’s orders, aimed at the restriction of their economic freedom. Belarusian businessmen demanded cancellation of provisions on cash desks, special accounts, new customs duties and insurance rules, as well as other innovations, which hamper the conditions for a small business development. By their active stance, they made the authorities embark on negotiations and slightly ease the extremely harsh business conditions in Belarus.

Triumph of the Year – Belarusian Hockey National Squad’s Success at Salt Lake City’s Olympics in 2002

Belarusian hockey team defeated 4:3 the awesome Swedish team and made it through to the semi-finals.

Tendency of the Year – Rise of Tariffs for Public Utilities

The apartment rent in Belarus gets more expensive that in other CIS states. During the past year alone the electric energy for the urban population went 2,5 times up, while for the village – 3 times. Since the beginning of the year gas became 3 times more expensive too, the apartment rent – 5,64 times, central heating – 2,43, hot water – 2,42. Starting with a 20% payment for public utilities in 2001, we paid 40% in 2002. This year the tariffs can rise again – the authorities claim that we will pay 100% of the real cost of the public utilities.