23.01.2009 EU’s Commissioner: There were lots of things missing on the democratic side in Belarus

The EU's Commissioner said Belarus couldn’t join the Eastern Partnership without democratic reforms.

The Eastern Partnership is an offer that the European Union gives to the six Eastern countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Belarus (on certain conditions).

15.01.2009 EP resolution on Belarus: No concessions in democracy matters

The European Parliament has adopted a provisional resolution on the political situation in Belarus.

The resolution was adopted by 551 votes in favour, 15 against and 31 abstentions.

17.10.2008 Belarus-German round table discussion in Berlin

According to Radio Racyja, today, October 16th, the Berlin-based Bundestag is going to host a Belarus-Germany human rights round table discussion. The meeting is entitled ‘Belarus after the election: time for political dialogue?’ and will be visited by a number of German parliament members.

16.10.2008 Belarus-German round table discussion in Berlin

According to Radio Racyja, today, October 16th, the Berlin-based Bundestag is going to host a Belarus-Germany human rights round table discussion. The meeting is entitled ‘Belarus after the election: time for political dialogue?’ and will be visited by a number of German parliament members.

16.10.2008 Germany considers Belarusian human rights activists undesirable aliens?

In an interview for Radio Polonia, human rights expert Uladzmir Labkovich and analyst Yury Chausau commented upon German ambassador’s unwillingness to grant Schengen viasa to a number of Belarusian human rights activists.

14.10.2008 German Embassy denies Schengen visas to human rights activists

On 14 October the Embassy of Germany suddenly and without any explanations refused to issue Schengen visas to well-known Belarusian human rights activists and journalists Uladzimir Labkovich, Alena Laptsionak and Siarhei Sys.

02.07.2008 Zhodzina: police seize leaflets with information about the EU

An activist of the civil campaign European Belarus Raisa Kuprushyna was detained by police in Zhodzina when she collected signatures for Belarus’ joining the European Union.

23.06.2008 European Parliament member Jacek Protasiewicz does not believe election in Belarus will be free

“It is very difficult to build a long-term policy towards Belarus, and results of the election should be waited for,” Jacek Protasiewicz, noted in an interview to the Polish Radio.

23.05.2008 Yauhen Afnahel sentenced to 7 days of jail

Activist of the civil campaign European Belarus Yauhen Afnahel was sentenced in is absence to 7 days of arrest by the Pershamaiski district court. The activist has received a copy of the decision of court by post today.

02.05.2008 1 May action brings detentions and arrests

About 30 activists of the civil campaign European Belarus were detained yesterday near the National Library in Minsk suburb Uruccha where pro-regime trade unions were celebrating May Day. Among the detained are Yauhen Afnahel, Andrei Babitski, Zmitser Barodka, the Young Front leaders Zmitser Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Zmitser Khvedaruk, and chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada) Mikola Statkevich.

14.04.2008 PACE to hear Belarus case

The spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is due to start in Strasbourg today. Among other issues, it will consider a report on the system of criminal justice in Belarus.

08.04.2008 New EU sanctions against Belarusian authorities

The Council of the European Union has extended sanctions against Belarusian officials. Sanctions envisage restrictions for entering the EU territory by Belarusian officials including Alexander Lukashenka, and freezing of their bank accounts. Sanctions were extended after the disbandment of a peaceful rally on Freedom Day in Minsk, and mass crackdown on independent journalists.

10.03.2008 Mikalai Autukhovich Initiates Creation of International Commission for Legal Expertise of Sentences of Belarusian Courts

Several years ago the entrepreneur Mikalai Autukhovich was found guilty in evasion from payment of taxes for transporting passengers and luggage without registration of firm, which resulted in an exceptionally large loss to the budge of the Hrodna city. On 6 June 2006 he was sentenced to 3,5 years in medium security prison with confiscation of property and deprival of the right to business for five years. On 18 January 2008 the imprisonment with replaced with corrective labor. Belarusian human rights activists consider Autukhovich a prisoner of conscience.

04.03.2008 Police Destroy 100 EU Flags

Partyzanski district court of Minsk refused to examine democratic activist Zmitser Barodka’s complaint on destroying by militiamen 100 EU flags, belonged to him.

14.01.2008 EU Condemns Arrests of Protesters

The Council of the European Union condemns the crackdown on the entrepreneurs’ demonstration, arrests and using force towards the protesters. Christina Gallach, spokeswoman of the EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security, said it. ‘We condemn arrests and sentences to the people detained. We regard each of them as politically motivated one,’ the spokeswoman said.