On April 8 editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Den” Mikola Markevich tried to get back 4,800 copies of the latest issue of newspaper seized by police. Markevich came to Iwje and lodged a complaint to the prosecutor of Iwje region, and the chief of local police Viktar Suprenya was given all documents that he demanded about “Den” newspaper. After 7 p.m. the police chef refused to return the seized newspaper.

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64.2 % of the Belarusians are ready to participate in parliamentary elections. These figures have been obtained by the Independent institute of Social, Economical and Political Research (IISEPR) during a national poll in March (1,480 people aged 18+ interviewed). According to the IISEPR information, in last four months the number of persons wishing to participate in the vote dropped by 10.1 percent. The overwhelming majority of those who call themselves Lukashenka opponents – 77.1%, believe that the elections would not be free and fair (16.1 % hold the contrary opinion). Almost a half of people who are not supporters of opposition, do not trust the honesty of elections either. 43.9 % of them also told that the elections would not be free and fair, BelaPAN informs.

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On April 8 regional organization of Independent Trade Union of Belarus has held an information action in support of the chairman of the trade union branch at company “Polatsk-Shklovalakno” Vktar Stukaw. The action was carried out by the entrance checkpoint of the company. The information materials about contract system and imminent sacks of trade union activists were disseminated. Besides, signatures in support of Viktar Stukaw were collected. Police officers have detained two trade union members – chairman of the regional organization of Independent Trade Union of Belarus Uladzimir Antanovich, and Viktar Stukaw. According to police, they are charged with unsanctioned picketing.

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Today the UN Commission on Human Rights to vote on projects of resolution on situation in Turkmenistan and Belarus. The projects were proposed by a group of European countries and the USA last week. The resolution on Turkmenistan causes serious concern by arbitrary arrests and indictment of citizens, pressure on independent mass media and opposition, discrimination of minorities. The project of resolution on Belarus foresees denunciation of government of the country for violations during elections, for disappearances of journalists and political opponents of the authorities. In the project of the resolution underlines that the authorities of Turkmenistan and Belarus have not made considerable progress over last year, when the UN Commission on Human Rights criticized them already.

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In a recent report of National Bank of Belarus chairman Pyotr Prakapovich to Alyaxandar Lukashenka was given a report on showings in national economy crediting. In particular, active crediting of spring sowing works started. For today Belarusian banks have given credits for more than 53 billion Belarusian rubles, which is twice many as last year, the “Krestyanskie vedomosti” (Russia) informs.

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