17.08.2012 BAJ Chairperson Can Go Abroad Again

The confirming document issued by the Department on citizenship and migration informs that the computer system had suffered a system glitch in February – March this year which led to the "misunderstanding".

17.08.2012 UCP Babruisk activist warned by KGB (updated)

Viktar Buzinayeu, Babruisk leader of the United Civil Party of Belarus, has been summoned for interrogation to local KGB office.

17.08.2012 BPF potential candidate fired

Yauhen Rybakou, member of the Belarusian Popular Front running for Parliament in Minsk constituency No. 105, has been dismissed from the Laser-Graphics private company, after the firm’s manager told him they did not need a cutter anymore.

17.08.2012 KGB disrupts annual meeting of "Tell the Truth"

Administration of the recreation center "Forest Paradise" in Kirov district refused the activists to rent one day before check-in.

17.08.2012 Vasil Parfiankou was transferred to prison № 6 in Baranavichy

There were attempts today to convey a parcel for the political prisoner, situated on Volodarskaja Street in Minsk. But the administration of detention center #1 did not accept it, saying that today Vasily is transfered to prison # 6 in Baranavichy.

17.08.2012 Authorities curtail campaigning opportunities

Local executive authorities have enforced a number of decisions that considerably limit out-of-doors election campaigning locations in towns and villages across Belarus, observers of the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections campaign report.

17.08.2012 Human rights defender Tatsiana Reviaka questioned by KGB (updated)

Mrs. Tatsiana Reviaka, member of the Human Rights Center Viasna’s Council, has been summoned for “conversation” to the KGB central office, after she received an official writ, saying that she should be questioned “as a person being aware of circumstances that have significance for maintaining the national security of the Republic of Belarus.”

17.08.2012 Report on the Results of Monitoring Registration of Initiative Groups and Signature Collection in Support of the Persons Nominated As Candidates for Deputies

General Conclusions:

- The vast majority of the initiative groups in support of the opposition candidates were registered. 85 initiative groups were denied registration, which is percentagewise almost 4 times the number of denials during the parliamentary elections in 2008. - There are registered facts of the authorities creating obstacles for members of the opposition candidates’ initiative groups and using administrative resources for the benefit of those who support the government. - At the signature collection stage members of initiative groups have filed a total of 15 complaints, while during the presidential election of 2010 more than 50 complaints were filed. The complaints are mainly about no access to dormitories of state enterprises and institutions for members of initiative groups.