22.10.2008 US won’t lift sanctions against Lukashenka’s regime

The US will alleviate sanctions against Belarus only if the authorities would take further steps for improvement the situation with human rights and development of the civil society.

It has been stated by David Merkel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, in an interview to Reuters, BelaPAN informs.

22.10.2008 Will Ivan Shyla be restored in school?

On October 31st Salihorsk rayon court will consider the case about exclusion of Young Front member Ivan Shyla from school. Deputy chairman of Young Front Ivan Shyla was excluded “for civic activity” one day before the last exam. Earlier the teachers’ council allowed the youth activist to take exams. However, on the demand from Minsk the teachers’ council gathered for the second time and voted for exclusion of the activist. School principal Volha Siankova protested against the exclusion and quit the job, while her deputy for moral upbringing Alena Semchankova was fired for “poor work”.

22.10.2008 BAJ Statement on the Situation with the Media and the Freedom of Expression in Belarus

Adopted by the BAJ Board on October 21, 2008

22.10.2008 Mikalai Autukhovich not allowed to work as taxi driver

Political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich, who was substituted imprisonment by restraint of liberty at home, wasn’t allowed to work as a taxi driver.

22.10.2008 Independent election observer fined 500 dollars in his absence

Yelsk regional court fined an activist of the United Democratic Party and “parliamentary elections” observer Dzyanis Rabianok for alleged violation of the law on elections. He was fined 1 mln 50 thousand Belarusian roubles. It makes about 500 dollars.

22.10.2008 Yarmoshyna refuses to provide information

In her response to activist of the Movement for Freedom Karen Akopau, CEC chairperson Lidziya Yarmoshyna explains her refusal to provide information about the number of citizens who voted early: she claims, the inquiry of the activist is not based on the norms of the Election Code.