On technical grounds an incomplete quotation of a deputy director of the Belarusian informational campaign BelaPAN Yury Shyroki was cited in the material of Deutsche Welle “Is independent journalist is an enemy of the state?” In a refutation by Deutshce Welle the full text of the interview is given.
On June 15, Ambassador of the United States of America in Belarus Karen B. Stewart traveled to Dzerzhinsk, southwest of Minsk, as part of the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to deepen its understanding of Belarusian society and politics. Ambassador Stewart began her visit to Dzerzhinsk by meeting with the city’s mayor, the Honorable Nikolay Ivanovich Artsiushkevich. Following this meeting and a tour of a local museum, the Ambassador had lunch with several local council deputies and party representatives to hear their impressions regarding the region’s current socio-economic situation. Ambassador Stewart concluded her trip by visiting the Stork Rehabilitation Center in Stolbtsy, where she expressed her strong support for the center’s dedicated medical professionals, staff and volunteers who provide desperately-needed care for children with disabilities and their parents and siblings.
Freedom of speech in Belarus appeared in the center of attention of another international conference, which took place in Hamburg 15-16 June. Belarusian journalists were among its participants.
Withdrawing trade preferences from Belarus by the EU could cause serious social protest in the society. The Charter’97 press-center has been informed about that by an economic analyst Kanstantsin Skuratovich. “As our light industry already has large depot stocks, half a year stocks or more according to some estimates, a financial blow after withdrawal of preferences would come upon workers of enterprises,” the expert believes.
16 June in the center of Tallinn representatives of the “Third Way” association, Belarusian Diaspora in Estonia as well as the Estonian public activists held a picket action in support of the Belarusian Christians for disaffirmation of the discriminating law on religion. During the action the participants were informing the local population and visitors of the city about the situation with the rights and freedoms of believers in Belarus. The action attracted attention of the Estonian TV and central newspapers.
16 June activists of the “Oborona” (Defense) youth movement participated in the picket dedicated to the Day of Solidarity with Belarus. This date is marked every month in many countries of the world. The action was taken opposite the embassy of the Republic of Belarus. The picket was organized by the Belarusian assembly of compatriots in Moscow and supported by the “Oborona” (Defense) and “Free Radicals” youth movements.
The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) and the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) are strongly concerned over the grave situation of human rights in Belarus, which remains the worst in Europe.
Today Tatsyana Rodzina, judge of Pershamajski district court, read the decree of the court. The court dismissed the claim of the activist of “For Freedom!” movement Tatsyana Sevyarynets to the education department of Pershamajski district of Vitsebsk.
On June 16 overnight policemen detained 2 young activists, Artsyom Dubski, Andrus Lanikovich, Alyaksei Tsulkou, were detained in Asipovichy. Young people were detained while placing white-red-white flag of Belarus on the central square of the city.
Actions dedicated to June 16 have been held in Salihorsk. This time participants of the action demanded to release activists of the Young Front. They were holding portraits of political prisoners Zmitser Dashekvich, candles and letters which formed a slogan “Freedom to Young Front members!”
An activist of Hrodna regional branch of the United Civil party Uladzimir Larin has been fined 20 basic units (620,000 rubles). Such a decision has been taken by an administrative commission of Leninski district of Hrodna. Larin was charged with pasting a sticker with a call to come to Charnobylski Shlyakh. The administrative commission decided that an activist violated part 15 of the rules of Hrodna living environment maintenance.
The EU has taken a decision to annul a number of trade preferences to Belarus. As we have informed, it was announced by the European Trade Commissioner Peter Mendelson. Considering this statement, it is interesting to know how relations between Belarus and its closest neighbors are shaping. As it turns out, they are difficult as well. “Nezavisimaya gazeta” gives short infromation about diplomatic relations of Belarus with the CIS countries.
16 June on the Day of Belarusian Solidarity 150 people gathered at the building of the former Bernardins’ monastery in Minsk. A common prayer was made for returning the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church to the congregation, for disaffirmation of the law on religion and for equal rights of believers of all confessions in Belarus.
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