News for 8 верасьня 2008
Minsk: candidates not registered because of tangled division of territory between electoral constituencies
Violations of the electoral legislation by the pretenders during collection of signatures in Minsk are a result of a tangled determination of the territories of the electoral constituencies, which had been performed by the Central electoral commission. This conclusion was reached by Halina Siamdzianava, who on 3-4 September was present as a member with the right of advisory vote at the sittings of the Central electoral commission at which the complaints of the people who had been denied registration as candidates were considered.
Baranavichy: two applications for pickets
Citizens of Baranavichy have submitted to Baranavichy city executive committee two applications requiring permission to hold pickets in connection with injustice during the electoral campaign. The people want to protest against non-registration of a writer, ambulance doctor, member of the Party of Communists Belarusian Alexander Halkevich, who intended to run for parliament at Baranavichy-Eastern electoral constituency #6.
Electoral commission demands explanations from independent candidate Siarhei Kuzmianok
The independent candidate for parliament at Hrodna-Zaniomanskaya electoral constituency #49 Siarhei Kuzmianok will have to give explanations to the constituency electoral commission concerning the activities that concern his agitation campaign.
Radio ‘Stalitsa’ broadcasts the speech of candidate Viktar Harbachou in wrong time
According to the candidate for deputy Viktar Harbachou, the radio station Stalitsa violated the schedule of broadcasting the deputies’ speeches and broadcast his speech earlier. The speech was to have put on the air on 4 September at 6.20 pm, and Harbachou warned his adherents about it. Instead, his speech was broadcast at 6.05 pm and by the time the people turned on their radio, the speech had been over.
Liberalization in Lukashenka’s way
The authorities continue using mean methods of pressing the political opposition. If earlier democratic activists were arrested on false accusations of allegedly ‘using of foul language in public’, the article ‘drinking alcohol in public’ has been used for the first time against a Young Front activist Vadzim Khaniauka.
Detention of activists of United Civil Party
On 8 September the police detained the activists of the United Civil party Natallia Shchukina and Alexander Protska. They were handing out leaflets with the appeal to citizens not to take part in the parliamentary elections.
Coordinator of ‘Charter’97’ Zmitser Bandarenka faces pressurization
Zmitser Bandarenka, coordinator of Charter’97, is required to provide information about his residence in 1990ies to the tax office.
Candidate gets sound cut off for calls not to vote early
On 5 September the addresses of candidates for deputies in Vitsebsk Chyhunachny constituency # were televised by Vitsebsk regional TV on Lad channel.
Detained 12 hours for ‘Boycott’ stickers
On 7 September the activists of the European Belarus civil campaign Ivan Amelchanka and Siarhei Makarevich were detained in the Minsk center for spreading stickers calling to boycott the oncoming the parliamentary elections.
Orsha: police confiscate white-red-white flags at celebration of Military Glory Day
On 8 September Belarus celebrates one of its most important and legendary holidays, the Day of Belarusian Military Glory.
Review-chronicle of human rights violations in Belarus in July-August 2008
At the end of June in Belarus there began a parliamentary electoral campaign. That’s why July and August were marked by numerous violations in this field.
