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Following the recent KGB searches, the Belarusian Association of Journalist (BAJ) has appealed to the Public Prosecutor General´s Office, the KGB and the Public Prosecutor´s Office of Minsk, asking them to return seized property and guarantee the journalists´ rights and legal interests. BAJ has questioned the existence of sufficiently lawful grounds for KGB to carry out its recent actions. (2-APR-08)
 
 

On 27 March, Belarusian police staged a nation-wide search of the homes of independent journalists and of their offices. According to the Republic of Belarus Media Association, the police action is being carried out under Article 367 of the Republic of Belarus Penal Code that penalises “libel” against the Republic of Belarus President. There are fears that this may lead to further arrests in the Republic of Belarus, reports IFEX. (29-MAR-08) 
 

Amnesty International urges the Belarusian authorities to immediately stop the obstruction, harassment and intimidation of civil society activists engaged directly or indirectly in the promotion and defence of human rights in the Republic of Belarus. In the statement nelow Amnesty is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been detained and sentenced for the legitimate and peaceful expression of their views. (1-APR-08)
 

The “Nasha Niva” correspondent Siamion Piechanko is sentenced to 15 Days of Jail. The photographer Andrei Lankievich will be tried on March 27. Both were detained while they covered the demonstration in the centre of Minsk on March 25. Both journalists are accused of violating the order of arrangement and holding mass events (26-MARCH-08).
 

Mass arrests and beatings were the results of the peaceful commemoration of the Belarusian National Republic´s 90th anniversary. According to belarusian human rights defenders, about five thousand people took part. More than 100 were detained. Among the injured detainees is Andrei Lyankevich, a photographer who works for the independent Belarusian newspaper Nasha Niva. (26-MAR-08)
 

14 persons might face up to 3 years of prison, charged for ‘organization and active participation in the actions that grossly violate the public order’. They all participated in the peaceful demonstrations organized by entrepreneurs in Minsk at the beginning of this year. Human rights activist warn about a new wave of political repressions. (16-MAR-08)
 

Amnesty International welcomes the release of Zmitser Dashkevich on 23 January 2008 and urges the Belarusian authorities to release Alexander Kazulin immediately and unconditionally as well. Over 2.400 people have already joined an online photo petition calling for the release of prisoners of conscience in the Republic of Belarus. Read the Press Release below. (15-MAR-08)
 

The preliminary investigation of the criminal case on ‘mass riot on 10 January 2008 in Minsk’ is over. That day several thousand representatives of small businesses came to Kastrychnitskaya Square to protest against the president’s decree #760 by which they were prohibited to employ more than three close relatives since 1 January. This decree made redundant thousands of people who worked in small business. (04-MAR-08)
 

Last year numerous youth activists were crossed out from the list of students. This practice still continues. Human rights activists believe that the isolation of an active student and political activist Zmitser Zhaleznichenka by deprival of the right to education and forced recruitment to army demonstrate the real attitude of the authorities to public activists. (9-FEB-08)