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KGB keeps eye on observers
On the eve of the parliamentary election in the Republic of Belarus the state shows more and more activity in pressurizing its citizens and taking different lawless measures. Everyday human rights activists discover new interesting facts. Recently future election observers found out that an anonymous KGB worker was watching their assembly. (06-10-04)
State begins to check the loyalty of employees
Members of Human Rights Center “Viasna” in the city of Mahiliow got hold of a “Form for Personnel Accounting” which is obligatory for completion for all state employees. Human rights activists are concerned about items 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14. (06-10-04)
President orders to establish state agitation groups
President of Republic of Belarus Aliaksandr Lukashenka ordered to establish propagandist groups from workers of executive organs of all level. The main such body is the republican propagandist group, which consists of 18 persons and is headed by by the vice-speaker of the Parliament Uladzimir Siamashka. (21-SEP-2004)
Police detains activists protesting disappearances
On 16 September, human rights activists and relatives marked the fifth anniversary of the disappearance of Belarusian Opposition Leader Viktar Hanchar (picture) and Businessman Anatol Krasowski. The police detained several persons. (21-SEP-04)
Pupils of the liquidated Yakub Kolas National Humanitarian Lyceum to be expelled from the rented Pre
Belarusian Humanitarian Lyceum, unique educational establishment with European level of teaching, was lawlessly liquidated by the authorities in 2003. As a result, the lyceum lost its premises and now has to hold its lessons in practically underground conditions, mostly at private flats. (16-SEP-04)
Authorities continue keeping Mikhail Marynich in jail
On 3 September judge of Minsk Tsentralny Borough Court Natallia Vaytsiakhovich declined the complaint of Vera Stramkowskaya, attorney of the public activist Mikhail Marynich with the request to find illegal the prolongation of the detention term at investigative ward for Marynich, who is charged with illegal storage of arms. (9-SEP-2004)
Nationwide referendum will be held in Belarus together with parliamentary election
At 9 p.m. on 7 September all Belarusian TV-channels – BT, Lad, ONT and STV broadcast the appeal of Aliaksandr Lukashenka to citizens of Republic of Belarus, in which he declared referendum in order to stay president for the third term athwart Belarusian Constitution. This referendum is combined with the Parliamentary election that will take place on 17 October. (9-SEP-2004)
New Long-term Political Imprisonments in Belarus
In May 2004 the police detained the head of the strike committee of entrepreneurs Valery Levanewski and his substitute Aliaksandr Vasilyew. Both of them were charged with insult to president for distribution of a flys-sheet with satyrical poerm on 1 May. Aliaksandr Vasilyew was also charged with organization of unauthorized meeting on that day. On 8 September both of them received severe sentence. (9-SEP-2004)
Reporters Without Borders condemns new attacks against the independent press ahead of elections
On 25 August the influential international organization “Reporters Without Borders” protested after the information minister ordered a three-month closure of the independent weekly Novaya Gazeta Smorgoni in Smarhon, western Republic of Belarus.
(30-AUG-2004)