Fraction of European Parliament “Union for Europe of the nations” nominated Belarusian opposition movement Zubr for Sacharow prize. This is an annual award for Human right defenders. Among the pretenders to the prize are president of the USA George W. Bush, leader of Afghan Northern Alliance Ahmed Shah Massud, Russian Human right defender Sergey Kovalyov. “We see that it is hard to get so authoritative prize. Candidates from all over the world pretend on it. But the fact that Belarusian question risen in European Parliament is very important. The last dictatorship in Europe is in the center of attention again. And our nomination on Sacharow prize not only confirms it. It means that European community supports people who fight for freedom. This is expression of solidarity,” – said coordinator of movement Zubr Vladimir Kobets to Charter’97 press-center.

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Well-known Human right defender, participant of European coalition “Free Belarus” Valery Schukin was beaten on the 8th of September in the night at Pushkin avenue in Minsk. 62 year old man was attacked by two unknown persons who kicked his head several times. Human right defender does not remember faces of the attackers because he lost consciousness for several minutes. He remembers that the attackers were threatening him but he does not remember their words because he was stunned. Nothing was stolen that’s why version of robbery is denied. Schukin believes that the attack is connected with announcement of referendum about lifting limit for quantity of presidential terms for one person. Schukin has always been against it.

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Leader of national strike committee of entrepreneurs and member of Coordinating council of European coalition “Free Belarus” Valery Levaneusky announced hunger-strike in prison because he was transferred to the sell worse than his previous sell. He was put to sell where there are only 10 beds and all 10 are occupied. And he has no place to sleep there. And a conflict with cellmate arose. Besides ventilation in the sell is very bad, and Levaneusky feels not good. Administration of the prison does not react on his appeals. His depute Aliaksandr Vasiliev who was tried together with him was put to sell with other 17 prisoners. Both entrepreneurs sentenced to two years of prison for insulting Lukashenka.

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“Lukashenka’s behavior is unexampled and cynical. He used calamity in Russia to realize his old dream. I know situation in Belarus. 75% of citizens are against his third term. Lukashenka counts only on large-scale multi-million falsifications. Even those people who treat nice to him don’t want the third term,” – said Boris Nemtsov one of ex-leaders of “Union of right forces” in interview to newspaper “Izvestiya”.

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8 Zubr activists detained for distributing “Zubr” newspaper on the 9th of September. Coordinator of the movement Aliaksey Shidlousky and press-secretary Aliaksandr Atroshchankau, Zubr activists Nadezhda Haladzinskaya, Marina Lebedeva, Maxim Hromau detained near sub-way station “Vostok”. Dar’ya Maldavanava and Aliaksandr ushko were detained near Belarusian National Technical University, Aliaksey Liavkovich detained at metro station “Institut Cultury”. All the detained spent about 3 hours in police. Protocols for violating part 3 art. 172 (illegal distribution of printed editions) of Administrative code were drawn. In three days only after Lukashenka announced referendum about lifting limit for quantity of presidential terms for one person 13 Zubr activists were detained for distributing independent information.

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Much to the dismay of those would like to see him go, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko will hold a referendum to change the nation`s constitution to allow him to keep running for office. Under existing law, Lukashenko, who has run Belarus as an old-style Soviet state for 10 years, would have to leave office in 2006. He clearly has no intention of leaving. If the referendum, set for Oct. 17, is anything like his other elections, it will be rigged.

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Special Rapporteur Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly author of report “Disappeared people in Belarus” Christos Pourgourides sent letter to PHILARET,Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Exarch of the Russian Orthodox Church for whole Belarus. Pourgourides expressed indignation with Philaret’s decision recommend the Patriarch of Moscow, Alexy II, to award to Mr. Dmitry Pavlichenko a brigade commander of the Belarusian Internal Ministry troops, the Order of St. Grand Prince Vladimir Equal-to-Apostles. According to report of special Rapporteur Pavlichenko is one of suspects in kidnapping opponents of the Luskashenko regime.

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The Government of Belarus’ persistent violations of human rights and democracy have unfortunately isolated Belarus from the world community rather than leading it to the respected position Belarus should rightfully enjoy among Europe’s democracies. Given this poor track record, President Lukashenko’s decree calling for a referendum to eliminate institutional term limits for the presidency and allow him to run again for president in 2006 raises grave doubts whether the results will freely and fairly reflect the views of the Belarusian people. We reiterate our call upon the Government of Belarus to ensure that the Belarusian people are able to debate, vote and have their votes counted according to international democratic standards on October 17 and thereafter by taking immediate steps to uphold Belarus’ international democracy and human rights commitments.

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The Belarusian Helsinki Committee [human rights monitor] says that a recently-declared referendum to amend Section 1 Article 81 of the constitution limiting the presidential tenure to two terms is illegal. "Having served 12 years as president, Alyaksandr Lukashenka has resorted to a referendum to remain president for an unlimited number of terms," a statement released by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee said. [The referendum is scheduled to take place on 17 October.]

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Alexander Lukashenko`s term as president of Belarus expires two years from now, but he has already launched a campaign to extend his powers. On September 7, Lukashenko addressed the nation to say that he had signed a decree on a nationwide referendum. Scheduled for October 17, the referendum concerns amending the constitution to permit Lukashenko to run for president over and over again. In other words, Lukashenko is essentially aspiring to become president for life.

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced a referendum next month asking voters to let him seek five more years in office and remove term limits, raising the possibility that he could try to stay in power even longer. Lukashenko`s second term expires in 2006, and he had repeatedly said he was considering a constitutional referendum to enable him to run in the next presidential vote.

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An association named "For the Union and the Communist Party of the Union" (UCPU), has issued a statement to welcome Aleksandr Lukashenko’s decision to call a national referendum on the possibility for him to run for reelection. The association says that the proposed amendment to the constitution, if passed in the October 17 referendum, would allow Mr. Lukashenko, "the man who has showed with his selfless work that he fulfills his pre-election promises, who has lifted the republic out of the morass of an all-out crisis, to compete on equal footing with other candidates.”

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September. Aleksandr Lukashenko announced on Thursday that the government would raise pay rates on November 1. While speaking before the staff of the Horizont television plant in Minsk, the Belarusian leader promised to elevate the country’s rural areas to a new economic level within two or three years, according to his press office.

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