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16 and 17 February for independent journalists were marred as days of violations and persecutions. Two representatives of independent media were subjected to harsh treatment by law enforcement agencies. On 16 February, Yulia Darashkevich, a photo correspondent for Naša Niva, was held for three hours at the police station. Next day, Maryna Koktysh from Narodnaja Volia had her working place searched.

On 14 February in Minsk during a traditional street celebration of Valentine’s Day 20 to 30 people were detained and all who gathered were brutally dispersed by riot police. Thus, Young Front activists and others had to celebrate the All Lovers’ Day in police custody.

This week Belarusian State University was accepted into the European University Association. It happened despite systematic violations of academic freedoms and regular instances of politically motivated student expulsions in this institution of higher education.

Freedom of association is only a statement on the paper in the Republic of Belarus. Despite the authorities’ promises the infamous article 193.1 of the Criminal Code still can pave a road to 2 year prison term for activities of unregistered organization. Also membership in any registered NGO is risky enough as well and it could lead to losing a job as it happened to members of the Union of Belarusian Writers.

The Belarusian police are increasingly harassing and intimidating independent journalists by charging them with relatively minor offences. This practice should stop at once if the government really intends, as it claims, to turn Republic of Belarus into a democracy, stated Reporters without Borders. The Belarusian Association of Journalists vows support to its members in all possible ways.

Reporters Without Borders regrets that President Alexander Lukashenko (Aliaksandr Lukashenka) signed a decree on 1 February 2010 establishing extensive control over Internet access and online content. “The Belarusian authorities are trying to tighten their control over the Internet as they already did with the traditional media,” Reporters Without Borders stated.

On 29 January a trial of Ivan Mikhailau, who refused the compulsory military conscription due to his religious beliefs, began in the Minsk regional court. Several European civic and human rights organisations have signed an open letter to the Belarusian president Aliaksandr Lukashenka in support of Mikhailau and others, who were prosecuted for refusal of taking up arms and joining the army because of their faith.

From 13 to 20 January the Belarusian-Lithuanian-Swedish group visited Ukraine for the presidential election. Participants of the Election Observation: Theory and Practice project went to Odessa, Donetsk, Kyiv and Lviv regions to see for themselves the election campaign for the head of the neighbouring state.

Representatives of the Human Rights House Network meet once a year to discuss the human rights situation in their countries, share their knowledge and create new joint projects. This year’s annual meeting will be hosted by the Belarusian Human Rights House in exile in Vilnius.