One of the Belarusian opposition leaders, chairman of the Belarusian Social-Democratic party “Narodnaya Gramada” Mikalay Statkevitch declared in the interview to DW-Radio that “Belarus is gradually turning into a police state”. According to Statkevitch’s words, human rights are being limited intensively, the remained independent newspapers are being closed. Opposition must be ready for a rigid chase. Nevertheless, Aliaxandar Lukashenko plans to hold a referendum, what will prolong the term of his rule. The referendum is to take place simultaneously with the Parliamentary election of 2004, October 17. The result of the referendum is evident. Statkevitch deems the electoral commissions already dispose of the “final figures”. Such a situation may result in the most pernicious consequences for the country and may lead to the self-isolation of Belarus. “The state will loose any hope for a democratic process,” - emphasized Statkevitch.

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On September 14, the Saligorsk municipal court fined Yaugen Valadzko, Siargey Adadurau and Viachaslau Singarau for having participated in a non-sanctioned action. The day before, they held a picket near the building of the Municipal Executive Committee against the referendum, where the Presidential plenary powers of Aliaxandar Lukashenka are to be prolonged.

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The state Mass Media do not accept agitation against the changes in the Constitution, which are to be considered at the referendum. The opposition claims it to be a violation of the electoral code; nevertheless, the Central Electoral Committee regards the situation normal.

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56 non-governmental organizations have been closed in Belarus in years 2003-2004. These data were promulgated at a press-conference in Minsk, September 14, by coordinator of the program “Collective defense of non-governmental organizations in Belarus” Yury Chausau. The meeting with journalists was dedicated to the publishing of a collection “Evidence of chase for Belarusian non-governmental organizations”, prepared in the framework of the program of defense of democratic non-governmental organizations from the pressure by the Belarusian powers’ side.

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The Belarussian Foreign Ministry has given its consent to expanding the mandate of international observers invited to parliamentary elections in Belarus, ministry spokesman Andrei Savinykh told Interfax.

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Minsk views critical remarks by foreign politicians concerning the upcoming referendum in Belarus as "a factor of pressure on the country," Deputy Belarusian Foreign Minister Alexander Sychyov told journalists on Tuesday.

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The Minsk district government has banned Yury Zenkovich, a member of the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF), from campaigning in the number 84 district where he plans to be on the ballot. As the politician said in an interview with BelaPAN, he applied to the Minsk District Executive Committee for permission to hold 34 campaigning events between September 18 and October 16.

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Seven of the 17 registered political parties in Belarus have already nominated their representatives to the central election commission, Nikolai Lozovik, secretary of the commission, told BelaPAN.

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At 2 p.m. on 18 September in Banhalor Square of Minsk Christians of several gospel churches will gather for a meeting of protest against a number of norms of the law “On religious freedom”. According to the pastor of Jesus Christ Church Barys Charnahlaz, the believers have the intention to give publicity to different facts of violation of the rights of Protestants and express their disagreement with certain norms of tax legislation. The meeting is permitted by Minsk City Executive Committee.

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Belarusian State University (BGU) has announced that it has admitted some 500 students displaced by the closure of Minsk-based European Humanities University (EHU) this past July. A total of 515 EHU students who applied to BGU have been enrolled under an order issued on Monday by BGU Rector Vasily Strazhev, BGU spokeswoman Olga Shchedrina told BelaPAN.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will confirm 29 agreements at a free trade summit with three former Soviet republics Wednesday, Interfax news agency reported. The Russian leader will fly to Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan, where he is expected to approve a raft of 29 agreements to create a Common Economic Space Agreement with the three other most important former Soviet republics in the Commonwealth of Independent States: Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

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On 13 September Zinaida Hanchar, wife of the missing politician Viktar Hanchar, filed to the administration of three Belarusian TV channels – National State TV and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus, close corporation “Second National TV Channel” and close corporation “Capital TV” the requests to give her possibility to speak in the ether of the TV channels on 16 September, the fifth anniversary of the kidnap of her husband.

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