#Apology
Belarusian Police Tortured and Threatened Protesters with Rape,
Officials Apologize for police Violence and Release All Protesters
Source: Stand News #Aug14
#Belarus #BelarusProtest #PoliceBrutality #PoliceViolence
Read more
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24424
Belarusian Police Tortured and Threatened Protesters with Rape,
Officials Apologize for police Violence and Release All Protesters
Source: Stand News #Aug14
#Belarus #BelarusProtest #PoliceBrutality #PoliceViolence
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/24424
#Apology
Belarusian Police Tortured and Threatened Protesters with Rape,
Officials Apologize for police Violence and Release All Protesters
More than 6,700 protesters were arrested in the anti-government demonstrations triggered by the Belarusian presidential election on August 9. The detention centers were overcrowded as a result. Many media sources showed that the detained protesters were physically abused by the police. Amnesty International pointed out that the protesters were tortured extensively. Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov said that all protesters would be released by 6 a.m. Friday morning (Aug 14). So far more than 2,000 protesters have been released.
Inhumane custodial conditions
Protesters beaten without getting treatments
Some released protesters posted photos on Nexta, which showed that they have suffered a lot of injuries, including large purple bruises and swelling on their backs or buttocks. They said the injuries were caused by the police. Amnesty International stated that some arrestees were stripped naked, beaten and threatened with rape.
Many journalists and pedestrians were arrested as well. One of the released Russian journalists, Nikita Telizhenko, disclosed her three-day detention life. She mentioned that many detainees were forced to sleep on the ground which had blood and faeces. They were not allowed to use the toilet or even change their lying positions for many hours. Ms. Telizhenko has already returned to Russia.
Source: Stand News #Aug14
#Belarus #BelarusProtest #PoliceBrutality #PoliceViolence
Belarusian Police Tortured and Threatened Protesters with Rape,
Officials Apologize for police Violence and Release All Protesters
More than 6,700 protesters were arrested in the anti-government demonstrations triggered by the Belarusian presidential election on August 9. The detention centers were overcrowded as a result. Many media sources showed that the detained protesters were physically abused by the police. Amnesty International pointed out that the protesters were tortured extensively. Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov said that all protesters would be released by 6 a.m. Friday morning (Aug 14). So far more than 2,000 protesters have been released.
Inhumane custodial conditions
Protesters beaten without getting treatments
Some released protesters posted photos on Nexta, which showed that they have suffered a lot of injuries, including large purple bruises and swelling on their backs or buttocks. They said the injuries were caused by the police. Amnesty International stated that some arrestees were stripped naked, beaten and threatened with rape.
Many journalists and pedestrians were arrested as well. One of the released Russian journalists, Nikita Telizhenko, disclosed her three-day detention life. She mentioned that many detainees were forced to sleep on the ground which had blood and faeces. They were not allowed to use the toilet or even change their lying positions for many hours. Ms. Telizhenko has already returned to Russia.
Source: Stand News #Aug14
#Belarus #BelarusProtest #PoliceBrutality #PoliceViolence
Amnesty International Calling to End Violence on Journalists
Belarus has had a series of protests and clashes between civilians and police. Journalists have been arrested, beaten, targeted with rubber bullets while covering police crackdown on protests. Some had their cameras smashed. Amnesty International released a statement on August 12 to call for Belarusian authority to stop attacking journalists.
Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office Director, said, “ Journalists in Belarus are doing heroic work to ensure the world knows about the authorities’ brutal repression of protests. It is horrifying to see the lengths to which the government will go to suppress this information - attacking reporters with batons and rubber bullets, destroying their equipment, and throwing dozens in jail.”
Struthers continued, “Journalists are being attacked for exposing the crimes committed by the Belarusian authorities against their own people, in a blatant isolation of the right to freedom of expression. The government has even disabled the internet to prevent people from sharing information. As unprecedented numbers of people continue to take to the streets in Belarus, it is essential that press freedom is protected and that no one is harmed simply for doing their job.”
Amnesty International's statement on August 12: Amnesty International calls on the Belarusian authorities to respect media and to immediately and unconditionally release journalists detained solely for fulfilling their professional duties. They must also release all peaceful activists detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. They must end reprisals against peaceful protesters, and investigate acts of unlawful force by police.
Source: Apple News #Aug15, Amnesty International #Aug12
#Belarus #Belarus2020 #AmnestyInternational #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression
Belarus has had a series of protests and clashes between civilians and police. Journalists have been arrested, beaten, targeted with rubber bullets while covering police crackdown on protests. Some had their cameras smashed. Amnesty International released a statement on August 12 to call for Belarusian authority to stop attacking journalists.
Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office Director, said, “ Journalists in Belarus are doing heroic work to ensure the world knows about the authorities’ brutal repression of protests. It is horrifying to see the lengths to which the government will go to suppress this information - attacking reporters with batons and rubber bullets, destroying their equipment, and throwing dozens in jail.”
Struthers continued, “Journalists are being attacked for exposing the crimes committed by the Belarusian authorities against their own people, in a blatant isolation of the right to freedom of expression. The government has even disabled the internet to prevent people from sharing information. As unprecedented numbers of people continue to take to the streets in Belarus, it is essential that press freedom is protected and that no one is harmed simply for doing their job.”
Amnesty International's statement on August 12: Amnesty International calls on the Belarusian authorities to respect media and to immediately and unconditionally release journalists detained solely for fulfilling their professional duties. They must also release all peaceful activists detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. They must end reprisals against peaceful protesters, and investigate acts of unlawful force by police.
Source: Apple News #Aug15, Amnesty International #Aug12
#Belarus #Belarus2020 #AmnestyInternational #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression
Belarusians Build 13-Kilometer Human Chain. Protesters Say Lukashenko Continues Stalin's Tyranny
Belarusian anti-government demonstrations continue. Tens of thousands of people formed a 13-kilometre-long human chain in the capital, Minsk, on Friday (Aug 21) local time, demanding that Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko cease the use of violence against the people, conduct a search for missing protesters and step down.
During the human chain event, many people on the streets held the victory sign and the flag of Belarus.
The Human Chain Begins at a Former Soviet Purge Site
The human chain began in Kurapaty, an area in the outskirts of Minsk with much historical significance. In the 1930s, the former Soviet secret police persecuted as many as 300,000 people in the area. The event was revealed in the late 1980s and became one of causes for the popular uprising against the communist regime.
At the other end of the human chain was Akrescina, where the Lukashenko regime imprisoned protestors. According to the organizers, the choice of Kurapaty and Akrescina as the beginning and the end of the human chain was to show that Stalin's and Lukashenko's crimes were one and the same.
Source: Stand News #Aug22
#Belarus #Minsk #HumanChain #Lukashenko #Kurapaty #Akrescina
Belarusian anti-government demonstrations continue. Tens of thousands of people formed a 13-kilometre-long human chain in the capital, Minsk, on Friday (Aug 21) local time, demanding that Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko cease the use of violence against the people, conduct a search for missing protesters and step down.
During the human chain event, many people on the streets held the victory sign and the flag of Belarus.
The Human Chain Begins at a Former Soviet Purge Site
The human chain began in Kurapaty, an area in the outskirts of Minsk with much historical significance. In the 1930s, the former Soviet secret police persecuted as many as 300,000 people in the area. The event was revealed in the late 1980s and became one of causes for the popular uprising against the communist regime.
At the other end of the human chain was Akrescina, where the Lukashenko regime imprisoned protestors. According to the organizers, the choice of Kurapaty and Akrescina as the beginning and the end of the human chain was to show that Stalin's and Lukashenko's crimes were one and the same.
Source: Stand News #Aug22
#Belarus #Minsk #HumanChain #Lukashenko #Kurapaty #Akrescina
#UNHCR #PoliticalOppression #StandwithBelarus
UN Refugee Agency in Hong Kong Refuses to Accept Petition Letter from Local Church in Support of Belarus
After the Belarusian presidential election on August 9, Lukashenko, the five-term president, was 'elected' again, which immediately triggered demonstrations against his rigged election win and police violence. The protests in Belarus found resonance in Hong Kong.
Reverend Roy Chan of Hong Kong's Good Neighbour Northern District Church petitioned to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office, handing in 800 signatures calling for the UN's attention to the political oppression in Belarus.
The petition letter requested the Belarusian government to release all protesters, withdraw prosecutions, and immediately run a fair presidential election. The petition also asked the EU and the UN to step up their intervention to ensure the re-election of the president.
Reverend Chan expressed grave dissatisfaction and regret that the UN refugee agency did not accept his petition letter. Chan pointed out that what is happening in Belarusian are not new to Hong Kong people. He called on the public to keep a close eye to the issue and to continue resisting against violence and oppression.
Source: Stand News #Aug26
https://www.facebook.com/710476795704610/posts/3394890573929872/
#RoyChan #GoodNeighbourNorthernDistrictChurch #UN #EU #Lukashenko #Belarus
UN Refugee Agency in Hong Kong Refuses to Accept Petition Letter from Local Church in Support of Belarus
After the Belarusian presidential election on August 9, Lukashenko, the five-term president, was 'elected' again, which immediately triggered demonstrations against his rigged election win and police violence. The protests in Belarus found resonance in Hong Kong.
Reverend Roy Chan of Hong Kong's Good Neighbour Northern District Church petitioned to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office, handing in 800 signatures calling for the UN's attention to the political oppression in Belarus.
The petition letter requested the Belarusian government to release all protesters, withdraw prosecutions, and immediately run a fair presidential election. The petition also asked the EU and the UN to step up their intervention to ensure the re-election of the president.
Reverend Chan expressed grave dissatisfaction and regret that the UN refugee agency did not accept his petition letter. Chan pointed out that what is happening in Belarusian are not new to Hong Kong people. He called on the public to keep a close eye to the issue and to continue resisting against violence and oppression.
Source: Stand News #Aug26
https://www.facebook.com/710476795704610/posts/3394890573929872/
#RoyChan #GoodNeighbourNorthernDistrictChurch #UN #EU #Lukashenko #Belarus
Be like water - The striking resemblance and common languages for mass protests
Editor’s Note: If you have paid attention to the protests in Belarus, you will not be surprised to see that protestors are dressing alike, wearing helmet or gas mask and carrying umbrella, as the BLM protestors in the US or the Anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong. Not only that, the new tactic “Be Water”, meaning 'great flexibility and agility for the mind and body', also becomes a common motto among protestors to resist and reorganize themselves during various clashes with the brutal forces. Such tactic comes from Bruce Lee and was adapted by Hong Kong protestors in 2019.
Similar infographic posters like the one above are circulated on Belarus TG channel, depicting common gears and tools for protestors around the world.
Source: Facebook
Written by: Hong Kong Echo
#BeWater #Belarus #Gears #Protest
Editor’s Note: If you have paid attention to the protests in Belarus, you will not be surprised to see that protestors are dressing alike, wearing helmet or gas mask and carrying umbrella, as the BLM protestors in the US or the Anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong. Not only that, the new tactic “Be Water”, meaning 'great flexibility and agility for the mind and body', also becomes a common motto among protestors to resist and reorganize themselves during various clashes with the brutal forces. Such tactic comes from Bruce Lee and was adapted by Hong Kong protestors in 2019.
Similar infographic posters like the one above are circulated on Belarus TG channel, depicting common gears and tools for protestors around the world.
Source: Facebook
Written by: Hong Kong Echo
#BeWater #Belarus #Gears #Protest
European Union: Deny the election results in Belarus, Sanction for Election Fraud and People who Suppressed the Protesters
Started from the Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was alleged manipulation of the election, the local citizens protested for consecutive days, injured hundreds of demonstrators, two people dead, around 7,000 people were under arrest. According to the Reuters reported, today (19th August) the president of European Council Charles Michel signified, the European Union denies the election result in Belarus, and impends sanctions on participants in election fraud and suppressed demonstrations.
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Joseph Burrell also pointed out, Alexander Lukashenko lack of the governing legitimacy of democracy. He believed that the European Union would punish and reject the regime of Alexander Lukashenko.
According to the report from the Bloomberg, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel also described today, Belarus election was not free and not fair, EU leaders did not accept the result of Belarus Election. She also said, she could not contact Alexander Lukashenko, and the EU failed to request Belarus do the election again.
The opposition did not satisfy with the official result of the election, questioning the fraud of election and its legitimacy. The official said Lukashenko got 80 per cent of votes, but the opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who fled to Lithuania, just got approximately 10 per cent of votes. However, the short film published on Monday said she had 60-70 per cent of votes. There was no independent group monitoring the process in this presidential election.
Post-election protests injured hundreds of demonstrators, two people dead, around 7,000 people were under arrest with many passersby. Many people were mistreated after being arrested. The international community violently bombarded by the Belarusian government, then the Lukashenko government’s attitude softened at the end. Some officials apologised for the indiscriminate arrest and released most of the arrested people. More than 100,000 people gathered in the capital Minsk last weekend. This was the largest demonstration in Belarus since the country declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.
#Belarus #Election #EU #Lukashenko #Protest
Source: Stand News #Aug9
https://bit.ly/3b6sAtP
Started from the Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was alleged manipulation of the election, the local citizens protested for consecutive days, injured hundreds of demonstrators, two people dead, around 7,000 people were under arrest. According to the Reuters reported, today (19th August) the president of European Council Charles Michel signified, the European Union denies the election result in Belarus, and impends sanctions on participants in election fraud and suppressed demonstrations.
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Joseph Burrell also pointed out, Alexander Lukashenko lack of the governing legitimacy of democracy. He believed that the European Union would punish and reject the regime of Alexander Lukashenko.
According to the report from the Bloomberg, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel also described today, Belarus election was not free and not fair, EU leaders did not accept the result of Belarus Election. She also said, she could not contact Alexander Lukashenko, and the EU failed to request Belarus do the election again.
The opposition did not satisfy with the official result of the election, questioning the fraud of election and its legitimacy. The official said Lukashenko got 80 per cent of votes, but the opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who fled to Lithuania, just got approximately 10 per cent of votes. However, the short film published on Monday said she had 60-70 per cent of votes. There was no independent group monitoring the process in this presidential election.
Post-election protests injured hundreds of demonstrators, two people dead, around 7,000 people were under arrest with many passersby. Many people were mistreated after being arrested. The international community violently bombarded by the Belarusian government, then the Lukashenko government’s attitude softened at the end. Some officials apologised for the indiscriminate arrest and released most of the arrested people. More than 100,000 people gathered in the capital Minsk last weekend. This was the largest demonstration in Belarus since the country declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.
#Belarus #Election #EU #Lukashenko #Protest
Source: Stand News #Aug9
https://bit.ly/3b6sAtP
Belarus Bans 50 News Websites, Lukashenko Inspects Border and Accuses NATO of Splitting up the Country
As anti-government protests in Belarus continue, more than 50 news media websites have been blocked by the local authority. On the other hand, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, donning military fatigues, inspected Grodno, a town near Belarus's borders with Poland, and accused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of attempts to split up Belarus. NATO refuted his claim and said that it served only to divert the people’s attention from their discontent. US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun will visit Lithuania and Russia shortly to discuss issues related to Belarus.
Lukashenko claimed that NATO attempted to split up Belarus and replace him with a new president. He also said that as Poland and Lithuania were ready to take action, he had to deploy troops to the western border and order his defence minister to take "the most stringent measures to protect the territorial integrity of the country.”
NATO denied the allegations, stating that "NATO poses no threat to Belarus or any other country and has no military buildup in the region" and that "Our posture is strictly defensive". It accused Lukashenko's government of employing a fictitious narrative of foreign threat to shift the public's attention away from its discontent towards the government and the election.
Source: Stand News #Aug23
#Belarus #NATO #Lukashenko #Poland #Lithuania
As anti-government protests in Belarus continue, more than 50 news media websites have been blocked by the local authority. On the other hand, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, donning military fatigues, inspected Grodno, a town near Belarus's borders with Poland, and accused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of attempts to split up Belarus. NATO refuted his claim and said that it served only to divert the people’s attention from their discontent. US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun will visit Lithuania and Russia shortly to discuss issues related to Belarus.
Lukashenko claimed that NATO attempted to split up Belarus and replace him with a new president. He also said that as Poland and Lithuania were ready to take action, he had to deploy troops to the western border and order his defence minister to take "the most stringent measures to protect the territorial integrity of the country.”
NATO denied the allegations, stating that "NATO poses no threat to Belarus or any other country and has no military buildup in the region" and that "Our posture is strictly defensive". It accused Lukashenko's government of employing a fictitious narrative of foreign threat to shift the public's attention away from its discontent towards the government and the election.
Source: Stand News #Aug23
#Belarus #NATO #Lukashenko #Poland #Lithuania
立場新聞 Stand News
白羅斯禁數十新聞網站、國營工廠拒印獨立報章 盧卡申科視察邊境稱北約圖分裂國家 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞
白羅斯反政府示威持續，50 多個新聞網站被當局禁制。一身軍服出現的總統盧卡申科則前往鄰近波蘭的邊境城市格羅德諾...
#StandWithBelarus #PressFreedom
Hong Kong Photojournalist Arrested in Belarus
At around midnight (HK Time) on Sept 7, 2020, a Hong Kong photojournalist was arrested by the police in Belarus, when reporting on the anti-government protest there. The police took away the backpack and the camera of the journalist and the reason of the arrest remained unknown.
At around 01:50 (HK Time), according to DB channel, the journalist was released and only the memory card of his camera was confiscated. The journalist was reportedly punched by the Belurusan police during arrest.
Source: DB Channel #Sept7
www.facebook.com/109301110486297/posts/322777165805356/
#Belarus #BelarusianPolice
Hong Kong Photojournalist Arrested in Belarus
At around midnight (HK Time) on Sept 7, 2020, a Hong Kong photojournalist was arrested by the police in Belarus, when reporting on the anti-government protest there. The police took away the backpack and the camera of the journalist and the reason of the arrest remained unknown.
At around 01:50 (HK Time), according to DB channel, the journalist was released and only the memory card of his camera was confiscated. The journalist was reportedly punched by the Belurusan police during arrest.
Source: DB Channel #Sept7
www.facebook.com/109301110486297/posts/322777165805356/
#Belarus #BelarusianPolice
#PressFreedom
Press control in #Belarus: Press Cards of Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse Revoked; Award-winning Swedish Journalist Expelled
Source: Stand News #Aug30
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25166
Press control in #Belarus: Press Cards of Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse Revoked; Award-winning Swedish Journalist Expelled
Source: Stand News #Aug30
Read more
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25166
#PressFreedom
Press control in #Belarus: Press Cards of Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse Revoked; Award-winning Swedish Journalist Expelled
The anti-govenment demonstrations in Belarus continued. There were many protests and human chains formed in various districts. However, the local government started to restrict news reporters last week, detaining almost 50 reporters who worked at the demonstration site. The reporters from Associated Press, Reuters, AFP Reuters and other foreign media have their press cards cancelled.
According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (#BAJ), the local police detained nearly 50 journalists on 27 August 2020, including many well-known foreign media. Their documents were checked and four of them were detained for refusing to hand over their smartphones for inspection. They were accused of organizing illegal demonstrations and must be detained until they are brought to the court. Meanwhile, Swedish journalist, Paul Hansen, who won the World Press Photo Contest Award was deported. He was banned from entering the country for five years.
Until yesterday, the actions of local government which limited news reporting were expanded. At least 17 people’s press cards were cancelled, including the reporters from Associated Press, Reuters, AFP Reuters, BBC and US Congress-funded Radio Liberty. The Radio France International (#RFI) quoted Anatoly Glaz, an official of the Belarusian Ministry of foreign Affairs, that the relevant decision was made in response to anti-terrorism and anti-extremist forces.
BBC and the Associated Press issued a statement of condemnation. The US embassy in the local area also issued a statement, showing concerns that journalists are being unfairly targeted. Attempts on supressing freedom of press, opposition voices and detaining citizens who exercise freedom of assembly and speech were not supported. Dominic Raab, the British Foreign Minister, also condemned the authorities for suppressing press freedom and demanded to stop targeting journalists.
The anti-government demonstrations in Belarus started last month. Citizens protested for the president election result and police brutality. They claimed that the president, Alexander Lukashenko, had manipulated the election. Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said that they have reserved police force to intervene for the situation in Belarus when necessary, but there is no such need as of now.
Source: Stand News #Aug30
#BelarusianAssociationJournalists #AFP #Reuters #AP #MediaControl
Press control in #Belarus: Press Cards of Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse Revoked; Award-winning Swedish Journalist Expelled
The anti-govenment demonstrations in Belarus continued. There were many protests and human chains formed in various districts. However, the local government started to restrict news reporters last week, detaining almost 50 reporters who worked at the demonstration site. The reporters from Associated Press, Reuters, AFP Reuters and other foreign media have their press cards cancelled.
According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (#BAJ), the local police detained nearly 50 journalists on 27 August 2020, including many well-known foreign media. Their documents were checked and four of them were detained for refusing to hand over their smartphones for inspection. They were accused of organizing illegal demonstrations and must be detained until they are brought to the court. Meanwhile, Swedish journalist, Paul Hansen, who won the World Press Photo Contest Award was deported. He was banned from entering the country for five years.
Until yesterday, the actions of local government which limited news reporting were expanded. At least 17 people’s press cards were cancelled, including the reporters from Associated Press, Reuters, AFP Reuters, BBC and US Congress-funded Radio Liberty. The Radio France International (#RFI) quoted Anatoly Glaz, an official of the Belarusian Ministry of foreign Affairs, that the relevant decision was made in response to anti-terrorism and anti-extremist forces.
BBC and the Associated Press issued a statement of condemnation. The US embassy in the local area also issued a statement, showing concerns that journalists are being unfairly targeted. Attempts on supressing freedom of press, opposition voices and detaining citizens who exercise freedom of assembly and speech were not supported. Dominic Raab, the British Foreign Minister, also condemned the authorities for suppressing press freedom and demanded to stop targeting journalists.
The anti-government demonstrations in Belarus started last month. Citizens protested for the president election result and police brutality. They claimed that the president, Alexander Lukashenko, had manipulated the election. Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said that they have reserved police force to intervene for the situation in Belarus when necessary, but there is no such need as of now.
Source: Stand News #Aug30
#BelarusianAssociationJournalists #AFP #Reuters #AP #MediaControl
立場新聞 Stand News
白羅斯限制新聞採訪 美聯、路透、法新社等外媒被撤記者證 驅逐得奬瑞典記者出境 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞
白羅斯反政府示威持續，多個地區有抗爭活動，又有婦女組成人鏈，但當地政府上周起限制記者採訪，一度拘留近 50 名...
Belarusian Authorities said opposition attempts to seize power harm national security; Opposition leader calls citizens to stand up, or become a slave
After the Belarusian presidential election in early August, mass demonstrations broke out, with citizens forming human chains to protest against tyrannical rule. The opposition announced the establishment of a Coordination Committee earlier, requesting the government to discuss the transfer of power. The Belarusian General Prosecutor’s Office then charged the Committee on 20th August with suspicion of endangering national security.
The opposition announced the establishment of the Coordination Committee on 18th August, calling for government talks on the transfer of power. Members include Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, an opposition leader exiled to Lithuania, Nobel Laureate in Literature Svetlana Alexievich, and other famous individuals. The authorities accused the Coordination Committee of jeopardising national security and has now launched a criminal investigation. Attorney General Konyuk noted that the establishment and operation of the Coordination Committee was to seize state power, and emphasized that the transfer of power to the Coordination Committee is unconstitutional. Committee lawyer Maxim Znak and organiser of Minsk factory strikes Sergei Dylevsky were questioned by the government on 21st August.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya accepted an exclusive interview with the Britain Broadcasting Company (BBC), appealing to Belarusians to "stand till the end", and oppose the tyrannical rule of President Lukashenko. “If not now, we will be slaves”. She said that as long as her personal safety is ensured, she will return to the country. In a video speech earlier, she also called for Belarusians to be fearless and to escalate strike actions.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier that the United State supports the international community in investigating the possibility of fraud in the Belarusian election, and will consider sanctions against Belarusian officials who participated in suppressing demonstrations. Russian President Putin said that any interference in the situation in Belarus or pressure on local leaders is unacceptable.
#Belarus #Election #Protests #Lukashenko #BBC #US #Pompeo #Russia #Putin
Source: Stand News #Aug22
After the Belarusian presidential election in early August, mass demonstrations broke out, with citizens forming human chains to protest against tyrannical rule. The opposition announced the establishment of a Coordination Committee earlier, requesting the government to discuss the transfer of power. The Belarusian General Prosecutor’s Office then charged the Committee on 20th August with suspicion of endangering national security.
The opposition announced the establishment of the Coordination Committee on 18th August, calling for government talks on the transfer of power. Members include Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, an opposition leader exiled to Lithuania, Nobel Laureate in Literature Svetlana Alexievich, and other famous individuals. The authorities accused the Coordination Committee of jeopardising national security and has now launched a criminal investigation. Attorney General Konyuk noted that the establishment and operation of the Coordination Committee was to seize state power, and emphasized that the transfer of power to the Coordination Committee is unconstitutional. Committee lawyer Maxim Znak and organiser of Minsk factory strikes Sergei Dylevsky were questioned by the government on 21st August.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya accepted an exclusive interview with the Britain Broadcasting Company (BBC), appealing to Belarusians to "stand till the end", and oppose the tyrannical rule of President Lukashenko. “If not now, we will be slaves”. She said that as long as her personal safety is ensured, she will return to the country. In a video speech earlier, she also called for Belarusians to be fearless and to escalate strike actions.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier that the United State supports the international community in investigating the possibility of fraud in the Belarusian election, and will consider sanctions against Belarusian officials who participated in suppressing demonstrations. Russian President Putin said that any interference in the situation in Belarus or pressure on local leaders is unacceptable.
#Belarus #Election #Protests #Lukashenko #BBC #US #Pompeo #Russia #Putin
Source: Stand News #Aug22
University students open school strike and demonstrate to against Lukashenko; police arrested violently
On the first school day in Belarus, a large number of university students demonstrated in Minsk along the Independence Avenue and gathered in the Victory Square to stand against the president, Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years. Police arrived to violently disperse the students, without mentioning about the number of arrests.
On Sundays in the past three weeks, there were 100-200 thousands of people that demonstrated for the police brutality and Lukashenko’s manipulation of the election. On Tuesday, the first school day, thousands of millions of university students went on strike and protested on the streets. Many people held the old Belarusian ‘White, red, white’ flag that is used by the opposition.
Students told BBC that the purpose of going to the street is to support people and express their political positions. They said they should be fearless and not just to stay at home. The BBC filmed when the riot police attacked and forcibly arrested a group of students which gathered near Victory Square. Someone kneeled to the police and demanded to release the students as they are just kids. Some students tried to block the entrances of several universities to prevent the police from entering. BBC pointed out that two Belarusian journalists were among the arrested. The police subsequently admitted that they had arrested students, but decline to tell the exact number. Since the president election on 9th August, there are continuously protests that oppose Lukashenko across Belarus. It is popularly believed that the election result is manipulated. The EU and United States have refused to recognise the result, believing that the election is neither free nor fair.
Lukashenko insisted that he got millions of supports from Belarusians. He stated that he did not hope the country to be seen divided; the state-run Berta News Agency quoted Lukashenko saying that if there are ‘alternative forces’ coming to power, there will be “massacre that is worse than that in Ukraine”. When Lukashenko visited a university in western Belarus, he urged the elderly to explain to the young generations the difficulties the country has overcome over the years. Earlier before this, several national media stated that protesters had been treated in an inhumane way after the election. The authorities apologised for the violent suppression and inhuman actions, but recently began to suppress the protestors again. Maria Kolesnikova, one of the main opposition figures in Belarus, announced on Tuesday that she will form a new party called “Together”. She stated that Belarus is now in a political, social, and economic crisis. “Only when we stand together will we know how to get out of the crisis,” Kolesnikova tried to enter the presidential palace to talk with Lukashenko at a rally in the Capital last Sunday but was told that Lukashenko will not negotiate with them.
Source : Stand News #Sep2
#Belarus #Lukashenko #Kolesnikova #protests
On the first school day in Belarus, a large number of university students demonstrated in Minsk along the Independence Avenue and gathered in the Victory Square to stand against the president, Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years. Police arrived to violently disperse the students, without mentioning about the number of arrests.
On Sundays in the past three weeks, there were 100-200 thousands of people that demonstrated for the police brutality and Lukashenko’s manipulation of the election. On Tuesday, the first school day, thousands of millions of university students went on strike and protested on the streets. Many people held the old Belarusian ‘White, red, white’ flag that is used by the opposition.
Students told BBC that the purpose of going to the street is to support people and express their political positions. They said they should be fearless and not just to stay at home. The BBC filmed when the riot police attacked and forcibly arrested a group of students which gathered near Victory Square. Someone kneeled to the police and demanded to release the students as they are just kids. Some students tried to block the entrances of several universities to prevent the police from entering. BBC pointed out that two Belarusian journalists were among the arrested. The police subsequently admitted that they had arrested students, but decline to tell the exact number. Since the president election on 9th August, there are continuously protests that oppose Lukashenko across Belarus. It is popularly believed that the election result is manipulated. The EU and United States have refused to recognise the result, believing that the election is neither free nor fair.
Lukashenko insisted that he got millions of supports from Belarusians. He stated that he did not hope the country to be seen divided; the state-run Berta News Agency quoted Lukashenko saying that if there are ‘alternative forces’ coming to power, there will be “massacre that is worse than that in Ukraine”. When Lukashenko visited a university in western Belarus, he urged the elderly to explain to the young generations the difficulties the country has overcome over the years. Earlier before this, several national media stated that protesters had been treated in an inhumane way after the election. The authorities apologised for the violent suppression and inhuman actions, but recently began to suppress the protestors again. Maria Kolesnikova, one of the main opposition figures in Belarus, announced on Tuesday that she will form a new party called “Together”. She stated that Belarus is now in a political, social, and economic crisis. “Only when we stand together will we know how to get out of the crisis,” Kolesnikova tried to enter the presidential palace to talk with Lukashenko at a rally in the Capital last Sunday but was told that Lukashenko will not negotiate with them.
Source : Stand News #Sep2
#Belarus #Lukashenko #Kolesnikova #protests
Over 100,000 Join March in Belarus With Police Arresting 400, Shooting in the Air and Using Water Canon
Another mass anti-government demonstration took place in Belarusia on the eve of President Alexander Lukashenko’s meeting with the Russian president Vladimir Putin on 15 September. At least 100,000 citizens attended the “March of Heroes” on 14 September in the capital city of Minsk, demanding Lukashenko’s resignation.
Between 100,000 and 150,000 citizens took part in demonstration, chanting such slogans as “Long live Belarus!”, “You [Lukashenko] are a rat,” “We are the ones in power!” and “Step down.” Riot police armed with shields got in the way of the protesters, who shouted at them and called them “fascists.” Some protestors changed tactics and demonstrated in Drozhyd, where Lukashenko and other senior officials reside, instead of the usual sites. Riot police went after protestors with batons and dragged those who had fallen. Some peaceful protestors were carried away by masked officers.
Source: Stand News #Sep14
#Belarus #Russia #Putin #Lukashenko #Minsk #Protest #PoliceBrutality
https://bit.ly/33M1DZd
Another mass anti-government demonstration took place in Belarusia on the eve of President Alexander Lukashenko’s meeting with the Russian president Vladimir Putin on 15 September. At least 100,000 citizens attended the “March of Heroes” on 14 September in the capital city of Minsk, demanding Lukashenko’s resignation.
Between 100,000 and 150,000 citizens took part in demonstration, chanting such slogans as “Long live Belarus!”, “You [Lukashenko] are a rat,” “We are the ones in power!” and “Step down.” Riot police armed with shields got in the way of the protesters, who shouted at them and called them “fascists.” Some protestors changed tactics and demonstrated in Drozhyd, where Lukashenko and other senior officials reside, instead of the usual sites. Riot police went after protestors with batons and dragged those who had fallen. Some peaceful protestors were carried away by masked officers.
Source: Stand News #Sep14
#Belarus #Russia #Putin #Lukashenko #Minsk #Protest #PoliceBrutality
https://bit.ly/33M1DZd
Non-binding Bill Passed - The EU Parliament Will Not Recognise Lukashenko as Belarus President after November
The European Parliament passed a non-binding motion with a majority vote yesterday (17 Sep) that the parliament will no longer recognise Alexander Lukashenko as Belarus President after November, urging the European Union (EU) to impose economic sanctions on him. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will also investigate this presidential election. Lukashenko announced that some borders with Poland and Lithuania will be closed, and the border troops are on high alert.
Lukashenko’s current term will expire in November. He will be re-elected as the next president that month because he won the general election. However, the local opposition and many people believed that Lukashenko was involved in fraud in the election, which triggered a series of demonstrations and deportation of many opposition leaders. Maria Kolesnikova, the only female opposition leader who stayed in the country, was charged with incitement to undermine national security yesterday (17 Sep).
Source: Stand News #Sep18
#Belarus #EuropeanParliament #Lukashenko #BelarusPresident #MariaKolesnikova #EuropeanUnion
The European Parliament passed a non-binding motion with a majority vote yesterday (17 Sep) that the parliament will no longer recognise Alexander Lukashenko as Belarus President after November, urging the European Union (EU) to impose economic sanctions on him. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will also investigate this presidential election. Lukashenko announced that some borders with Poland and Lithuania will be closed, and the border troops are on high alert.
Lukashenko’s current term will expire in November. He will be re-elected as the next president that month because he won the general election. However, the local opposition and many people believed that Lukashenko was involved in fraud in the election, which triggered a series of demonstrations and deportation of many opposition leaders. Maria Kolesnikova, the only female opposition leader who stayed in the country, was charged with incitement to undermine national security yesterday (17 Sep).
Source: Stand News #Sep18
#Belarus #EuropeanParliament #Lukashenko #BelarusPresident #MariaKolesnikova #EuropeanUnion
Lithuania’s Ruling Coalition Expresses Its Support for Taiwan to Fight for Their Freedom
Lithuania’s new ruling coalition published its policy outline and expressed their support for Taiwan to fight for their freedom.
After two rounds of parliamentary elections in Lithuania, three political parties formed a centre-right ruling coalition and issued its policy outline.
Its diplomatic policies would be based on values, as it sought to actively contest actions that violate human rights and democratic freedom, and defend people around the world who are fighting for their freedom, including Belarusians and Taiwanese people.
Source from: Now News #Nov10
#Taiwan #Lithuania #Belarus
https://bit.ly/3ls6DtG
Lithuania’s new ruling coalition published its policy outline and expressed their support for Taiwan to fight for their freedom.
After two rounds of parliamentary elections in Lithuania, three political parties formed a centre-right ruling coalition and issued its policy outline.
Its diplomatic policies would be based on values, as it sought to actively contest actions that violate human rights and democratic freedom, and defend people around the world who are fighting for their freedom, including Belarusians and Taiwanese people.
Source from: Now News #Nov10
#Taiwan #Lithuania #Belarus
https://bit.ly/3ls6DtG
The Protesters Suspected of Being Beaten to Death by Police; Several Cities in Belarus Demonstrated in Mourning on Saturday
Thousands of people demonstrated in several cities in Belarus on Sunday (15th), not only continuing asking Lukashenko for resignation but also protesting that the police force beat one of the protesters and died during the detention. Protesters lighted up the candle and brought white flowers for mourn, requesting the government to investigate the reason for his death. In capital Minsk, police used tear gas grenade and water cannon vehicles to disperse protesters. According to the local human rights organisation announced, there were at least 928 people have been arrested.
According to foreign media quoted from an eyewitness, suspected plainclothes police officers tried to pull off the red and white ribbon, representing the anti-government camp, outside the Minsk courthouse last Wednesday (11th November). A 31-year-old protester Roman Bondarenko had conflicts with them, but then he had been brought to the police car and got arrested. His family found him in the hospital, and he was still in a coma until last Thursday (12th November), he died because of brain damage. Someone suspected that he was beaten while in detention. However, the local government denied any involvement in his death and said that the fight among the people was the cause for his death.
The EU spokesperson later stated that the incident was the shameful result of violent suppression of the people from the local government, threatened to impose heavier sanctions on the Belarusian government.
Source from: The Stand News #Nov16
https://bit.ly/333JOVM
#Belarus #Lukashenko #PoliceBrutality #Protest #Protesters
Thousands of people demonstrated in several cities in Belarus on Sunday (15th), not only continuing asking Lukashenko for resignation but also protesting that the police force beat one of the protesters and died during the detention. Protesters lighted up the candle and brought white flowers for mourn, requesting the government to investigate the reason for his death. In capital Minsk, police used tear gas grenade and water cannon vehicles to disperse protesters. According to the local human rights organisation announced, there were at least 928 people have been arrested.
According to foreign media quoted from an eyewitness, suspected plainclothes police officers tried to pull off the red and white ribbon, representing the anti-government camp, outside the Minsk courthouse last Wednesday (11th November). A 31-year-old protester Roman Bondarenko had conflicts with them, but then he had been brought to the police car and got arrested. His family found him in the hospital, and he was still in a coma until last Thursday (12th November), he died because of brain damage. Someone suspected that he was beaten while in detention. However, the local government denied any involvement in his death and said that the fight among the people was the cause for his death.
The EU spokesperson later stated that the incident was the shameful result of violent suppression of the people from the local government, threatened to impose heavier sanctions on the Belarusian government.
Source from: The Stand News #Nov16
https://bit.ly/333JOVM
#Belarus #Lukashenko #PoliceBrutality #Protest #Protesters
The Female President in Exile Promised to Resign in 6 months After Taking Office: Return the Power to Citizens
Although the influence of international society becomes more powerful, and even many countries publicly recognized Tikhanovskaya as the only legal leader of Belarus, she insisted that she was the “leader of democratic Belarus” instead of “the leader of the opposition” or the “president”. She indicated that “the people of Belarus authorized me to speak for our country”. Before the election, she had indicated that she was not a politician. Once she became a president, she would resign within six months and restart a fair and just democratic election, truly “return politics to the people”.
Although many Belarusians are now in exile due to the wanted and political suppression, Tikhanovskaya thought it is just temporary and does not worried that people will lose their identities because of long-term exiled. Separated from her husband, she emphasized that exile does not mean that she is ignoring the political issues, but is now more suitable for the “international front”, shuttling between countries to lobby leaders, and preparing for the transition government. From time to time, through the internet, she can call on the compatriots in Belarus to initiate “Three Big Strikes” and other demonstrations.
For how can ordinary people contribute? Tikhanovskaya gave some examples: to participate in foreign protests which support Belarus, to write letters to the imprisoned political prisoners, as large as to the public to influence the parliament and the government’s attitude, as small as to provide food and shelter to the new exiles. Everyone has lots of things to do, and everyone is a little water drop, but when the faith of people meets, it can be an ocean. And after this struggle, Belarusians are impossible to go back to the days of accepting totalitarian rule. Every Belarusian, no matter in the country or abroad, will fight for the return of their compatriots in exile.
Source from: Apple Daily #Dec18
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201218/JEISPWK6KVHOJCVVJI7XON3HPI/
#Belarus #Belarusian #Freedom #democracy #Tikhanovskaya #exile #election
Although the influence of international society becomes more powerful, and even many countries publicly recognized Tikhanovskaya as the only legal leader of Belarus, she insisted that she was the “leader of democratic Belarus” instead of “the leader of the opposition” or the “president”. She indicated that “the people of Belarus authorized me to speak for our country”. Before the election, she had indicated that she was not a politician. Once she became a president, she would resign within six months and restart a fair and just democratic election, truly “return politics to the people”.
Although many Belarusians are now in exile due to the wanted and political suppression, Tikhanovskaya thought it is just temporary and does not worried that people will lose their identities because of long-term exiled. Separated from her husband, she emphasized that exile does not mean that she is ignoring the political issues, but is now more suitable for the “international front”, shuttling between countries to lobby leaders, and preparing for the transition government. From time to time, through the internet, she can call on the compatriots in Belarus to initiate “Three Big Strikes” and other demonstrations.
For how can ordinary people contribute? Tikhanovskaya gave some examples: to participate in foreign protests which support Belarus, to write letters to the imprisoned political prisoners, as large as to the public to influence the parliament and the government’s attitude, as small as to provide food and shelter to the new exiles. Everyone has lots of things to do, and everyone is a little water drop, but when the faith of people meets, it can be an ocean. And after this struggle, Belarusians are impossible to go back to the days of accepting totalitarian rule. Every Belarusian, no matter in the country or abroad, will fight for the return of their compatriots in exile.
Source from: Apple Daily #Dec18
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201218/JEISPWK6KVHOJCVVJI7XON3HPI/
#Belarus #Belarusian #Freedom #democracy #Tikhanovskaya #exile #election
UK to call for UN probe of Uighur camps in China’s Xinjiang province
The UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab would use an address to the UN human rights council on Feb 22 to urge fellow members to address rights violations in China, Myanmar, Belarus and Russia, with particular emphasis on initiating an independent investigation by the UN high commissioner for human rights into forced labour camps run by Beijing.
The UK has taken an increasingly robust stance against Beijing over the past year following the imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong, and mounting evidence that the treatment of Uighur Muslims amounts to genocide.
Raab said that the reported abuses in Xinjiang including torture, forced labour and forced sterilisation of women were extreme and extensive. They were taking place on an industrial scale
Source: FT #Feb22
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/23/hong-kong-plans-to-make-politicians-swear-oath-of-loyalty-to-beijing
#UK #UNHumanRights #China #Myanmar #Belarus #Russia
The UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab would use an address to the UN human rights council on Feb 22 to urge fellow members to address rights violations in China, Myanmar, Belarus and Russia, with particular emphasis on initiating an independent investigation by the UN high commissioner for human rights into forced labour camps run by Beijing.
The UK has taken an increasingly robust stance against Beijing over the past year following the imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong, and mounting evidence that the treatment of Uighur Muslims amounts to genocide.
Raab said that the reported abuses in Xinjiang including torture, forced labour and forced sterilisation of women were extreme and extensive. They were taking place on an industrial scale
Source: FT #Feb22
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/23/hong-kong-plans-to-make-politicians-swear-oath-of-loyalty-to-beijing
#UK #UNHumanRights #China #Myanmar #Belarus #Russia