After human rights activists told about their intention to monitor the upcoming Parliamentary elections, state-controlled media try to discredit their human rights activities and the authorities have started detailed examinations of the tax history of human rights activists. (30-JUN-08)

The day when the human rights activists declared their intention to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections, June 12th, the First Channel of the Belarusian TV advertised a news item which insults the honor and dignity of the human rights defenders. Later the video was demonstrated by the Panarama news program on Sunday.
 
During the recent 10 days the Ministry of Taxes and Duties demanded declarations about income and property from BHC chairman Aleh Hulak, the former chairwoman of BHC Tatsiana Protska, vice-President of FIDH Ales Bialiatski, BHC member Zmitser Markusheuski, human rights activist Valiantsin Stefanovic, and their family members.

The activists at the regions of Belarus are also under the authorities’ careful attention. Regional draft boards call in activists and members of democratic parties, who intend to be a candidate in the upcoming Parliamentary election this autumn. As military enlistment offices’ representatives explain, “just to talk and specify some information”.
Democratic activists believe the actions of the authorities are related to the intention of human rights activists to monitor the election process.
 
Meanwhile, June 24, Belarusian President  Aliaksandar Lukashenka signed Edict 344 “about Elections to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus of the 4th convocations”. According to the edict, the parliamentary elections will be held on September 28th, 2008.