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The Belarusian Association of Journalists appeals to the Council of Republic to reject the draft of law ‘On additions and corrective changes to several legislative acts of the Republic of Belarus as regards the responsibility for acts against individuals and social security’ under the redaction adopted by the Chamber of Representatives. It also addresses to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus with appeal to make a lawful assessment of changes to the Criminal Code. (08-DEC-05)
 

On 25 November Tatsiana Khoma, fourth-year student of the international economic relations department of Belarusian State Economic University, found out she was expelled for participation in international student movement, the formal reason being trip to France. Ms. Khoma believes this very fact became the real reason for her expulsion from the university: -The political motivation here is evident for me, she said. (3-DEC-05)
 

The human rights activists of Republic of Belarus are against the introduction of the political articles in the criminal legislation.  On November 25, 2005 the chamber of representatives of the Belarusian Parliament adopted in the first reading a bill brought by Mr. Lukashenka before the parliament as an emergency measure. Many human rights activists share the opinion that this bill is quasi-legal and shows that the dictatorship is becoming increasingly scared to lose power.(30-NOV-05)
 

Belarus political authorities initiate a divide among intellectuals. After the constituent assembly of the new writers organization, the literati have in fact been divided into “good” and “bad” ones. On 18 November Belarusian society witnessed the cloning of the Union of Belarusian Writers, which resulted in the Union of Writers of Republic of Belarus. This is yet another attack on the non-governmental public organizations, and an attempt to isolate the most active part of the Belarusian-speaking writers”. (25-NOV-05)
 

Oslo: The Human Rights House Foundation and Norwegian P.E.N. have condemned the decision by the Belarusian state-owned newspaper distributor Belposhta to cease distribution of privately-owned newspapers. This is a new blow for the independent Belarusian press which has already been under increasing pressure recently. Read the letter below. (24-NOV-05)
 

The less time before the Presidential elections, the more active steps the authorities are taking to mop up the information space of Republic of Belarus. At the end of this week the Belarusian electorate lost a few more sources of uncensored information.The process of “mopping up” non-governmental media in the Republic of Belarus is coming to an end.(23-NOV-05)

Adrian Severin, United Nations human rights envoy urged Belarusian authorities to investigate the murders of the journalists Vieranika Charkasava, right, and Vasil Hrodnikau and end “systematic harassment and persecution” of non-state media. He also called on authorities to ensure respect for the right to freedom of opinion and expression. (14-NOV-05)
 

“The authorities didn’t miss the opportunity to mislead the international community”, — that’s how Zinaida Hanchar, wife of the kidnapped politician Viktar Hanchar, commented on the statement of Belarusian MPs made at the 113th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva. As a result of Mr. Salauiou’s statement about the “resumption of Hanchar’s case” the wife of the missing politician applied to IPU President Pier Ferdinando Casini. (17-NOV-05)

Monopolization of the informational field in the Republic of Belarus is going on. The authorities use all possible means to close the remaining few independent information sources. In 2006 three independent newspapers will lose subscription. (10-NOV-05)