European Belarus - civil campaign

Political violence captured on stage

The West Australian

In their own country, members of the Belarus Free Theatre hold performances deep in forests or at private apartments for fear of being arrested. Their uncensored productions, which highlight the realities of living under Europe’s last dictatorship, have landed actors and audience members in jail.

Russian gas transit to Europe through Belarus increased by 26 million cubic meters

Interfax-Ukraine

Minsk, January 5 (Interfax) - Transit of Russian natural gas to Poland through Belarus has been increased by 26 million cubic meters to 109.5 million cubic meters a day, the Belarusian gas transportation company Beltransgaz told Interfax on Monday.

Belarus on track to receive $2.5bn IMF loan

By Stefan Wagstyl, Financial Times

Belarus, the authoritarian state headed by President Alexander Lukashenko, is set to secure a $2.5bn (£1.7bn, €1.8bn) International Monetary Fund emergency loan to help it weather the global economic crisis.

Paval Kuryanovich under threat of urgent drafting

Paval Kuryanovich, activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus”, is threatened he may be lose his deterrence and drafted into the army.

Activist of “European Belarus” arrested for national flag on New Year’s Eve

Marta Maiseenka, activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus”, was to have trial in the Tsentralny district court of Minsk on December 31.

Alyaksandr Barazenka sentenced to 1 year of restriction of freedom

An activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Alyaksandr Barazenka has been sentenced by court of Tsentralny district of Minsk to 1 year of imprisonment without sending to a correctional facility. The verdict has been passed by Judge Natalya Vajtsekhovich. The political prisoner was released in the court room.

Andrei Sannikov: “Europe has demonstrated fidelity to principles, and it can be acclaimed”

The leader of the civil campaign “European Belarus” has made a statement in connection with presentation of the Eastern Partnership project by the leadership of the EU.

Eastern partnership for Belarus but not for dictatorship

A proposal of the European Commission on participation in the Eastern Partnership initiative is available for Belarus, but a country must meet European standards to become its member. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, said in Brussels on December 3.

The Washington Post: Chávez to fight US with help of Lukashenka and Russian arms

Influential American The Washington Post runs about a recent visit of Russian president to Venezuela and arms supplies to this country. According to the newspaper, Hugo Chávez intents on building alliances with American adversaries, including Belarus.

EC’s Commissioner: ”It is essential that Belarus remains a country without political prisoners”

Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner called on the Belarusian authorities to release political prisoners. Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: “it is essential that Belarus remains a country without political prisoners and respects freedom of expression, association and assembly.”