Zmitser Dashkevich, political prisoner

Prohibited to congratulate Zmitser Dashkevich

15:42, 20/07/2007 Participants of the motor rally of solidarity were on their way from Mahilyou to the village of Ryzhkavichy where Zmitser Dashkevich is serving a sentence. They planned to congratulate the young activist on his birthday. But they were detained.

Zmitser Dashkevich is 26

14:15, 20/07/2007 On July 20 the leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich celebrates his 26th birthday. The leader of the youth movement has to celebrate his birthday in Shklou medium-security correctional labor facility.

Rallies on October Square and near St. Joseph’s Church (Photo)

19:42, 16/07/2007 Dozens of people have gathered today at 6 p.m. on October Square in Minsk with portraits of political prisoners. People were forced out of the square by riot policemen in mufti, and protesters went to St. Joseph’s church. However, Minsk dwellers could stand there just for a short while. Riot policemen required people to disband.

Trade Union activist identified persons who hit him with baseball bats

13:14, 09/07/2007 On July 9, on the last day of the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, by majority of votes a resolution on situation in Belarus earlier approved by Committee on Political Affairs and Security of the PA OSCE (the so-called Kyiv Declaration) was passed. The Declaration consists of separate resolutions, which drafts had been approved by relevant PA OSCE committees.

Is Dashkevich denied early release?

10:44, 29/06/2007 The political prisoner wrote so in a letter to his friends. As said by Dashkevich, the day before yesterday he was present at the commission on early conditional release, and he was denied release there, as he “has a number of penalties for violation of dress code and the day routine”.

Young people gathered on square (photo)

12:43, 18/06/2007 Actions dedicated to June 16 have been held in Salihorsk. This time participants of the action demanded to release activists of the Young Front. They were holding portraits of political prisoners Zmitser Dashekvich, candles and letters which formed a slogan “Freedom to Young Front members!”

George Bush: Free world is to put pressure on tyrants

18:25, 05/06/2007 In his remarks at the international conference in Prague dedicated to issues of democracy and security, the US president George Bush said that democratic countries should support those who are fighting for freedom against dictatorial regimes. “The Soviet dissident Andrei Amalrik compared a tyrannical state to a soldier who constantly points a gun at his enemy -- until his arms finally tired and the prisoner escapes. The role of the free world is to put pressure on the arms of the world`s tyrants – and strengthen the prisoners who are trying to speed their collapse. So I meet personally with dissidents and democratic activists from some of the world`s worst dictatorships -- including Belarus, and Burma, and Cuba, and North Korea, Sudan, and Zimbabwe,” the US President said.

Embassy Statement on Release of Political Prisoners

18:15, 01/06/2007 The Embassy of the United States of America in Belarus welcomes the early release from prison of Yekaterina Sadovskaya, Pavel Severinets, and Nikolay Statkevich. At the same time, we repeat our call upon the Belarusian authorities to release remaining political prisoners Dmitriy Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Aleksandr Kozulin, Andrey Klimov, Nikolay Avtukhovich, and Yuriy Leonov.

Zmitser Dashkevich given another work

17:26, 17/05/2007 The leader of the Young Front, Zmitser Dashkevich, who is serving the sentence of a year and a half for taking part in activities of an unregistered organization, has been given a lighter work, to saw wood. Earlier he had to carry heavy logs despite of this illness.

Zmitser Dashkevich returned to wood-sawing forest plot

10:20, 14/05/2007 A political prisoner Zmitser Dahskevich works in the colony at wood-sawing again. As we have informed, previously he was placed to a prison hospital because of problems with his spinal cord.

Relatives of Political Prisoners calling against Belarus Admission to UN Council on Human Rights

10:25, 03/05/2007 Relatives of the Belarusian political prisoners Volga Kazulina and Yulia Kazulina, Viktar Sadousky, Yaugenia Astreika, Valeri Dranchuk, Valyantsina Statkevich, Maria Finkevich forwarded a written appeal to the international public calling against admission of Belarus to the UN Council on Human Rights. That was reported by the press service of Alyaksandr Kazulin.

In Prison Hospital Zmitser Dashkevich Treated for Osteochondrosis

17:27, 25/04/2007 As the human rights center Viasna has found out, a young activist Zmitser Dashkevich is treated for osteochondrosis in republican prison hospital in Minsk. He is injected Vitamin B12. The leader of the “Young Front” does not know for how long he is to stay in prison hospital. However, he says that all sick prisoners dream to return from the prison hospital, as conditions are very harsh there.

David Kramer: “Belarusian Government Has Two Paths”

13:35, 25/04/2007 Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs David Kramer has stated a necessity for by Belarusian authorities to make a number of steps aimed at democratization of the situation in the country. Otherwise, David Kramer said, relations between Belarus and the US are “to deteriorate considerably”. “My message [to the Belarusian authorities] has been very clear, which is that the government here can take one of two paths. They can lead to an improvement in relations between Belarus and the United States by taking specific concrete steps. Specifically, releasing all political prisoners, and I mean all political prisoners, and dropping charges against others, including from Young Front; and allow events tomorrow to take place peacefully, and allow regional and national Congresses [of democratic forces] to be held in Belarus without any problems. In absence of those steps I fear that relations could deteriorate. Under Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act Congress passed and President Bush signed, we have additional steps we can take to increase the pressure upon the government. I hope they won’t be necessary. But the ball is in the court of the government of Belarus,” stated David Kramer at a press-conference in Minsk.

Actions in Support of Young Front Held in Minsk (Photo)

12:46, 20/04/2007 “Imprisoned for love for Motherland?”, “Do you feel safe?”, “Other’s children thrown to prisons. Are you indifferent? And what about yours?”, “Keep your hands off Young Front!”, “Dashkevich Imprisoned for your Freedom! Who’s next?” These slogans appeared yesterday in central streets of Minsk, in subway crossings, near metro stations and bus stops.

Rally in Mahilyou; Freedom to Zmitser Dashkevich! (Photo)

12:36, 18/04/2007 On April 16-17 a Mahilyou branch of the “Young Front” held a rally in support of a political prisoner, a leader of the “Young Front” Zmitser Dashkevich. Hundreds of portraits of the political prisoner have appeared in the central streets of the city.

Council of Europe to Talk with Belarusian Authorities Only after Release of Political Prisoners

09:57, 18/04/2007 On April 17 in the evening hearings on situation in Belarus in the format of a sub-committee on Belarusian affairs in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe took place in Strasbourg. The head of the Parliamentary Assembly Rene van der Linden, a special Rapporteur on Belarus Andrea Rigoni and other deputies have taken part in the discussion. Members of the subcommittee have come to a conclusion that the best signal for a start of a dialogue would be concrete steps of the Belarusian regime. At least, Rene van der Linden has named this first step as the most desired for the European community.

Day of Solidarity Marked in Mahilyou, Babrujsk, Polatsk, Salihorsk, Navalukoml, Dzyarzhynsk (Photo)

14:00, 17/03/2007 In many cities of Belarus a traditional Day of Belarusian Solidarity was marked on March 16. People gathered on squares of their cities carrying portrait of political prisoners and lit candles.

Solidarity for Freedom (Photo)

15:19, 18/04/2007 On April 16 the Day of Belarusian Solidarity is traditionally marked in Belarus and worldwide. In Minsk public activists organized rallies in solidarity with families of the abducted, with political prisoners, and Belarusians repressed by the regime for their participation in oppositional activities. Streamers with demands to release political prisoners, and portraits of the abducted and candles near them are seen in Minsk streets and in regions on this day.

Relatives of Political Prisoners calling against Belarus Admission to UN Council on Human Rights

10:25, 03/05/2007 Relatives of the Belarusian political prisoners Volga Kazulina and Yulia Kazulina, Viktar Sadousky, Yaugenia Astreika, Valeri Dranchuk, Valyantsina Statkevich, Maria Finkevich forwarded a written appeal to the international public calling against admission of Belarus to the UN Council on Human Rights. That was reported by the press service of Alyaksandr Kazulin.

Young activists demand to release political prisoners (Photo)

11:38, 11/04/2007 In Salihorsk graffiti, stickers, leaflets with demands to the authorities to release political prisoners in Belarus emerge more and more often. Young activists continue dissemination of printed materials dedicated to the fact that people imprisoned for their political believes exist in Belarus.

Zmitser Dashkevich’s Working Day Lasts 10 Hours

11:10, 09/04/2007 As we have informed, the leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich who is serving a sentence in a colony in Shklou, had been transferred to heavy physical work. His contacts with other prisoners are limited. In the last letter home Zmitser gave some details.

Amnesty International Launched Action in Support of Zmitser Dashkevich

14:05, 06/04/2007 “Amnesty International” has started a new international campaign in support of the Belarusian political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich. In spring 2007 activists and members of AI will send some thousand origami cranes to the Belarusian Minister of Internal Affairs Uladzimir Navumau to demand the release of the detained youth activist. “A legend says that if you fold 1,000 origami crane birds, your wish will be granted. Our wish today is for Belarus to restore freedom of expression and proceed with the immediate and unconditional release of all those who are detained for the legitimate and peaceful expression of their views. We are appealing in particular for the release of youth opposition leader Zmitser Dashkevich,” the statement of the human rights organization reads.

Zmitser Dashkevich Transferred to Wood-Sawing Area

09:54, 02/04/2007 A political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich has been transferred to another party of prisoners and sent to work in timber-sawing area. The parents of the activist have been informed about that from his last letters. His mother, Volha Dashkevich, is worried about the state of health of her son, as doctors had prohibited him work under arduous labour conditions. The activist’s father Vyachaslau Dashkevich turns attention to the fact who had initiated his son’s transfer to another party.

Day of Solidarity Marked in Mahilyou, Babrujsk, Polatsk, Salihorsk, Navalukoml, Dzyarzhynsk (Photo)

14:00, 17/03/2007 In many cities of Belarus a traditional Day of Belarusian Solidarity was marked on March 16. People gathered on squares of their cities carrying portrait of political prisoners and lit candles.

Political Prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich behind Bars

14:45, 15/03/2007 Today marks half a year of imprisonment of the Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich. The young activist was detained on September 15, 2006. On November 2 he was sentenced to a year and a half of imprisonment for activities on behalf of an unregistered organization.

Zmitser Dashkevich Denied Right for Amnesty

11:09, 12/03/2007 Administration of Shklou prison has issued a fourth warning to Zmitser Dashkevich. This time he was reprimanded for reading after a retreat. The political prisoner told about that to his parents in a letter on March 5.

"Amnesty International" Holds Protest in Support of Zmitser Dashkevich

12:29, 06/03/2007 Since March 1 to May 1 a Dutch branch of the Amnesty International holds a rally in support of the leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich who had been sentenced to a year and a half of imprisonment. The human rights organization calls upon all people concerned about the future of the prisoner of conscience to write a letter to Alyaksandr Lukashenka with a demand to release Zmitser Dashkevich immediately.

Zmitser Dashkevich: Do not get perturbed about me

15:20, 23/02/2007 A leader of the “Young Front” Zmitser Dashkevich has written a letter from prison. As we have informed, the political prisoner is serving a 1.5 year sentence in Shklou medium security colony for “activities on behalf of an unregistered organization”.

Alyaksandr Milinkevich: "16th Day is Reminder about Belarus to the World"

16:08, 16/02/2007 Today the Day of Belarusian Solidarity is celebrated in Belarus and around the world for the 16th time. The leader of the democratic forces Alyaksandr Milinkevich has called upon praying for release of Belarusian political prisoners. “I am enormously thankful to all those who show their solidarity with Belarus on this day. The 16th day of every month has become a landmark for democratic activists in our country and abroad. Today Belarus is a problem number one in Europe, and front pages of many newspapers in Europe cover the situation in our country, and it’s a merit of all those people who are reminding the world that human rights in Belarus are violated, free election is absent, independent press is extinct. As a Christian I call upon all Belarusians and friends of our country to pray for early release of all Belarusian political prisoners, for restoration of democracy in Belarus,” told Alyaksandr Milinkevich in an interview to Charter’97 press-center.

Action in support of Belarusian political prisoners in New York (Photo)

18:13, 23/01/2007 On January 20 Belarusian Youth Movement of America held a picket in support of Belarusian political prisoners in New York. Several dozen representatives from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts took part in the action.

The day of Solidarity: Belarusians Continue Street Actions (Photo)

10:10, 17/01/2007 Hundreds of people on 16 January went into the streets of Minsk and other Belarusian cities and towns to manifest their solidarity with the families of the Belarusian disappeared journalists, political prisoners and those fighting for freedom and democracy in Belarus.100 youth activists lighted the candles of Freedom and Solidarity at the Svislach river embankment .50 people with burning candles and of Freedom and Solidarity and portraits of political prisoners stood in chain at the central railway station. “Freedom to Political Prisoners!” posters were hanged in different places of Minsk and independent newspapers were distributed throughout Belarus. The solidarity actions were held in regional centers of the country as well as in Baranavichi, Babruisk, Zhodzina, Barisau, Saligorsk, Niasvizh and other towns. Thousands of Belarusians lighted candles at their windowsills .In many countries all over the world Belarusian embassies were picketed and the actions of solidarity were taken.

Day of Solidarity Marked in Belarus and All Over the World (Photo)

11:20, 17/12/2006 Thousands of candles were lit all over the world on December 16 as a sign of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners, families of the abducted, the repressed and those who fight for freedom and democracy in Belarus. Hundreds of people gathered in the streets on that day. At 6 p.m. 100 people gathered on Independence Square, dozens of people gathered near the house of the former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin in Nyamiha and lit candles to show solidarity with his family. Candles were lit near the cinema “Kastrychnik”, the National library, the Central railway station and in other districts of Minsk. Streamers with demands to release political prisoners were placed in many parts of the city. The Day of Solidarity was marked in Vitsebsk, Hrodna, Homel, Salihorsk, Barysau, Brest, Mahilyou and other cities of Belarus. Thousands of Belarusians lit candies of Freedom and Solidarity in their windows. In numerous countries of the world Belarusian diplomatic missions where picketed, and solidarity rallies held.

Zmitser Dashkevich to Stay in Prison

11:34, 15/12/2006 Minsk city court has upheld a decision of the court of Kastrychnitski district of Minsk, according to which the leader of the “Young Front” organization, a political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich had been sentenced to a 1.5 years of imprisonment, Radio Svaboda informs.

National Award for Human Rights Protection in 2006

16:19, 11/12/2006 The steering committee of the Charter’97 has chosen nominees for the annual National Human Rights Prize for achievements in the sphere of human rights protection in 2006. The Human Rights Award was established by the Charter`97 civil initiative in 1998. The prize has been awarded to the prominent public and cultural figures, politicians, and journalists. Its laureates in the category “For personal courage in human rights protection” are defenders of the tent camp on October Square in Minsk in March-2006; the former presidential candidate in Belarus, a political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin, the Young Front leader, a political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich, an activist of the Belarusian independent trade union Alena Zakhodzhaya, parishioners who had been taking part in the hunger strike in support of a protestant church “New Life”.

“Yong Front”: Zmitser Dashkevich Was Transferred to Colony Illegally

17:43, 07/12/2006 Today in the night a political prisoner, the leader of the “Young Front” Zmitser Dashkevich was transferred to the corrective colony of Shklou. The authorities again breach the current law, according to which Zmitser Dashkevich can be transferred to the colony only after the final judgement, after a cassation appeal, the Young Front states.

Zmitser Dashkevich Sent to Shklou Colony

13:27, 07/12/2006 The leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich was sent to serve a sentence to a medium-security correctional labour facility No.17 in the town of Shklou, Mahilyou region. The Charter’97 press-center has been informed about that by a young leader Artur Finkevich. Previously Zmitser Dashkevich has spent a few months in a remand prison in Minsk. The leader of the Young Front had been sentenced to a year and a half of imprisonment for “activities of behalf of an unregistered organization”.

Solidarity with Freedom Fighters (Photo)

10:34, 17/11/2006 An action of solidarity with fighting Belarus was traditionally held on November 16 in many Belarusian cities and abroad. Hundreds of activists gathered in the streets of Minsk, they lit candles of solidarity in different parts of the city. The rallies were held in Vitsebsk, Hrodna, Homel, Salihorsk, Barysau, Brest, Mahilyou and other parts of Belarus. Thousands of Belarusians lit candles of Freedom and Solidarity in the windows of their homes. Citizens of the Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the USA and other countries held rallies too. For more than a year on that day people all over the world are united with Belarus by the memory of the abducted and murdered Belarusian opposition leaders and journalists, political prisoners and freedom fighters.

Prisoner of Conscience: Zmitser Dashkevich

13:37, 16/11/2006 Amnesty International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Zmitser Dashkevich, a leader of the youth opposition movement Малады фронт (Young Front), whom the organization believes to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression.

Zmitser Dashkevich to be Sent to Zhodzina Pre-trial Detention Centre

18:03, 14/11/2006 On November 15 a youth leader Zmitser Dashkevich is to be sent to Zhodzina-based pre-trial detention center. Zmitser Dashkevich spent 2 months in a pre-trial detention center in Valadarski Street in Minsk before that. “The verdict to Dashkevich hasn’t come into force yet. A the reversal of a judgement is considered at the moment. Thus, the political prisoner is to expect results of the session in Zhodzina, and after that he could be transferred to a penal colony,” a human rights activist Valyantsin Stefanovich said to the Charter’97 press-center.

Picket of Solidarity with Political Prisoners near Government House

13:50, 14/11/2006 Belarusian Social Democrats have tried to hold a picket of solidarity with political prisoners in the center of Minsk. At about midday an activist of the Belarusian Social Democratic party (Hramada) from Barysau Ales Abramovich and a member of the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada Ales Haurusyou gathered near the Government House on Independence Square with posters “Freedom to Kazulin and other political prisoners,” “Freedom to Dashkevich and Sevyarynets”.

European Union Demands to Release Belarusian Political Prisoners

10:22, 09/11/2006 The European Union expresses deep concern over the verdict passed on November 1 to the leader of the “Young Front” Zmitser Dashkevich. It is stated in the official statement published on November 8 by the press-service of the EU Council. The EU also expresses deep concern over the state of health of the former presidential candidate in Belarus Alyaksandr Kazulin and calls upon the Belarusian authorities to allow members of the politician’s family and international observers to meet with him.

Amnesty International Recognized Zmitser Dashkevich Prisoner of Conscience

12:00, 03/11/2006, photo by ByMedia.net The human rights group "Amnesty International" has started a campaign in support of Belarusian political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich. It has been stated today by a representative of London office of the "Amnesty International" Heather McGill in a conversation with the Belarusian human rights center "Viasna". Members of the "Amnesty International" all over the world will send letters of support to the political prisoner. Other solidarity actions are planned as well. Besides, Heather McGill informed that the Amnesty International had recognized Zmitser Dashkevich a prisoner of conscience. In today`s Belarus there are many oppositionists who had become prisoners of conscience, including the former candidate for presidency Alyaksandr Kazulin, activists of the election observation initiative "Partnerstva" Mikola Astrejka and Tsimafei Dranchuk, the leader of the Social Democrats Mikola Statkevich, a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the 13th convocation Andrei Klimau, young leaders Paval Sevyarynets and Artur Finkevich, and others.

Freedom to Dashkevich! (Photo)

19:19, 01/11/2006 Hundreds of people have come to the court of Kastrychnitski district of Minsk where a verdict to the young activist Zmitser Dashkevich was passed. The leader of the democratic forces of Belarus Alyaksandr Milinkevich, well-known politicians, diplomats, writers, public leaders and human rights activists came to express support to Dashkevich. The harsh sentence to Dashkevich, a year and a half of imprisonment for “activities on behalf of unregistered organizations” caused indignation and protest of people.

US Ambassador: “Verdict to Dashkevich is Politically Motivated”

17:51, 01/11/2006 Commenting on today’s ruling of the court of Kastrychnitski district of Minsk, a year and a half for the young activist Zmitser Dashkevich, the US Ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart said that she is disappointed by it and condemns it. “We consider the verdict to Zmitser Dashkevich and the whole process to be politically motivated, aimed at preventing Zmitser Dashkevich from expressing his convictions in a non-violent way. As before, we would consider those who are violating human rights, responsible for this verdict, and call upon the Belarusian authorities to release Zmitser Dashkevich and those people who are imprisoned for political reasons, in particular Alyaksandr Kazulin, Mikalay Astrejka and Tsimafei Dranchuk,” American diplomat said in an interview to the BelaPAN.

Belarusian Human Rights Activists to Address the UN Human Rights Committee

17:20, 01/11/2006 “The verdict to Zmitser Dashkevich is unjustifiably harsh. The judge has almost satisfied the demand of the prosecutor, and sentenced Dashkevich to a year and a half of imprisonment. It is clear why the court session was held behind the closed doors, it’s to hide that such harsh sentences are unjustifiable. I think that no proofs of Dashkevich’s crime could have been demonstrated to the public. And we see that a bad tendency is shaping, as “Partnerstva” activists had been condemned according to the same scheme. We, human rights watchdogs, are determined to get the UN Human Rights Committee to study those cases after all levels of the court would be passed here,” the Charter’97 press-center was told by Ales Byalatski, a well-known human rights activist, who commented on the verdict to the young activist Zmitser Dashkevich, who had been sentenced to 1.5 years in a minimum security colony for “activities on behalf of an unregistered organization”.

Zmitser Dashkevich’s Lawyer: “Scenario Tried out for Partnerstva Repeated”

16:49, 01/11/2006 “During the trial over Zmitser Dashkevich a scenario tried for Partnerstva activists has been repeated. There are very many analogies in principal points in the manner of investigation, in the secret character of investigation and the trial. The defence has used different arguments, including the one that the Article 193 of the Criminal Code contradicts Constitution, but nobody was going to listen to us. The system does not listen to any reasoning. I think this scenario is intended for many people,” the lawyer of Zmitser Dashkevich, Alyaksandr Halieu said, commenting on the verdict to the young leader, a year and a half in the minimum security colony for “activities on behalf of unregistered organization”.

Protest Action in Front of the Court Continues

16:36, 01/11/2006 More then 300 young activists are continuing to stand near the court of Kastrychnitski district of Minsk. Young people are holding portraits of the Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich, sentenced to 1.5 years of a minimum security colony for “activities on behalf of an unregistered organization” and scanning “Freedom to Dashkevich!” and “long Live Belarus!” White and red carnations, jeans and white-red-white ribbons are laid to the stairs of the court.

Zmitser Dashkevich Sentenced to 1.5 Year of Colony

16:20, 01/11/2006 The leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich has been sentenced to 1.5 years of imprisonment in a minimum security colony. The verdict to the young activist has been passed in a closed trial by a deputy chairperson of the court of Kastrychnitski district Ala Bulash. The cruel verdict to Zmitser Dashkevich caused active protest. More than 300 persons were standing outside the court scanning “Freedom to Dashkevich!”

Rally in Support of Zmitser Dashkevich is Salihorsk (Photo)

11:41, 01/11/2006 On October 31 in the evening a solidarity action with the young leader Zmitser Dashkevich was staged in Salihorsk. Young people gathered at 8 p.m. in the central square of the city. They were holding portraits of Dashkevich in their hands.

Solidarity Action with Dashkevich in Hrodna (Photo)

11:27, 01/11/2006 On Tuesday Hrodna young activists held a rally of solidarity with the leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich. About a dozen of young people made a line near Savetskaya Square in Hrodna with portraits of the leader of the Young Front. They demanded to release Zmitser Dashkevich, the verdict to whom is to be passed today in the court of Kastrychnitski district of Minsk.

Hundreds of People Stand Outside Court to Support Zmitser Dashkevich

11:31, 31/10/2006 Several hundreds of people have gathered today to express solidarity with Zmitser Dashkevich, the Young Front leader, whose case is studied in the court of Kastrychnitski district of Minsk behind the closed doors. They are well-known politicians, public activists, human rights watchdogs. More than a hundred of young activists in T-shirts “Young Front” and jeans gathered near the court. Though it is very cold, people are standing outside the court for hours scanning “Freedom to Dashkevich!”

Belarusian Youth Demands to Release Zmitser Dashkevich (Photo)

14:18, 30/10/2006 Today the trial over the “Young Front” leader Zmitser Dashkevich has started in the court of Kastrychnitski district of Minsk. The young activist is charged with violation of the Article 193 of the Criminal Code, “acting on behalf of an unregistered organization”. It is not the first “political trial” under this article of the Criminal Code of Belarus. Activists of the public initiative of elections observation “Partnerstva” Tsimafei Dranchuk and Mikola Astrejka are already serving the sentence of one and two years respectively for participation in an unregistered organization. It is a new article of the Criminal Code which appeared during the presidential election campaign. Several hundreds of people have gathered to express protest against Zmitser Dashkevich’s persecution. In a spontaneous protest young activists were walking their hands on the nape like prisoners.

Martin Hecker: “This Trial Reminds Trials of 1930-ies in Germany”

14:12, 30/10/2006 German Ambassador to Belarus Martin Hecker compared the trial over Zmitser Dashkevich with processes in Germany in the 1930-ies. In an interview to Radio Svaboda, Martin Hecker said: “Today’s trial has a great political importance. Earlier closed trials in Germany were held. Millions of people were killed according to rulings of secret tribunals. We have drawn conclusions from history, and now we have open trials. We are trying to understand, why in Belarus it has happened in a different way? Why the lessons of Stalinism haven’t been studied?”

Karen Stewart: “US Follow the Trial over Dashkevich Narrowly”

12:35, 30/10/2006 U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart has commented the beginning of the trial over the leader of the “Young Front” Zmitser Dashkevich. “I joined my European colleagues in observing human rights situation in Belarus. It is important to us to be here and observe how the trial unfolds, and at the same time to demonstrate constant concern of the international community over the human rights in Belarus. A free and fair court is the basic right of all citizens in all countries. I would like to believe honestly that the trial to be open for the public. I see no reasons for it to be held behind the closed doors. The US and the international community would watch this trial’s continuation narrowly,” U.S. Ambassador to Belarus said.

Zmitser Dashkevich Stands Trial Today

10:19, 30/10/2006 The trial over the leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich starts today at 11.00 a.m. in the court of Kastrychnitski district of Minsk. The young activist is charged with violation of the article 193 of the Criminal Code – activities on behalf of an unregistered organization. Zmitser Dashkevich is kept in the remand prison of the Minsk city executive committee. According to the charges, he faces up to tow years on imprisonment.

More Than 1,000 Witnesses Ready to Defend Dashkevich

11:20, 27/10/2006 Activists of the Young Front have collected 1,273 signatures of people who are ready to testify upon a trial in defence of the leader of the organization, Zmitser Dashkevich, Radio Svaboda informs. Many of them are going to come to the court of Kastrychnitski district of Minsk on October 30, when the trial over the activist starts. Zmitser Dashkevich is to stand trial for violation of the Article 193 Part 1 of the Criminal Code (creation or participation in an unregistered organization).

Youth of European People’s Party Demands to Release Zmitser Dashkevich

11:10, 27/10/2006 David Hansen, the leader of the European People’s Party Youth, which unites youth organizations of the largest political parties in Europe, has supported the address of the leader of Belarusian democratic forces Alyaksandr Milinkevich and MPs of the EU and urged upon the democratic Europe to put pressure on Belarusian government to release all political prisoners of Belarus.

For Freedom of Belarus

10:14, 17/10/2006 On October 16 the Day of Belarusian Solidarity was marked in Belarus and all over the world. Actions of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners, families of the abducted and all those who are fighting for freedom and democracy in Belarus, have been held in Baranavichy, Homel, Salihorsk, Mozyr, Mahilyou, Brest, Babrujsk, Barysau, Maladzechna, Polatsk and other towns of Belarus. Several flash-mobs were staged in Minsk. More than 80 young activists lit candles near the metro station “Pushkinskaya”. A few dozens of people with portraits of political prisoners gathered in Adam Mickievicz park. Dozens of people gathered in Nyamiha metro station holding candles in their hands. Thousands of people have lit candles in their windows.

Minsk Citizens Demand Release of Political Prisoners (Photo)

17:21, 09/10/2006 A three-meter streamer “Freedom to political prisoners!” was placed on October 8 at a railway bridge over Dzyarzhynski Avenue in Minsk. Young activists wanted to attract attention of Minsk dwellers to the problem of political prisoners, to express protest to recent arrests of young leaders Zmitser Dashkevich and Paval Krasouski.

Rally in Support of Political Prisoners (Photo)

14:04, 09/10/2006 On October 8 an activist of Salihorsk branch of the Young Front held a picket in support of political prisoners. Young people placed a streamer with slogans “Belarus is not prison” and “Freedom to Political Prisoners” near the central square, and handed out leaflets with information about imprisoned leaders of the youth movement, political prisoners Zmitser Dashkevich and Paval Krasouski, to passers-by.

Zmitser Dashkevich to Announce Hunger Strike, In Case Bible Wouldn’t be Given to Him

16:58, 04/10/2006 The leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich in his letter to his friends informs that he would go on a hunger strike in case the administration of the remand prison of Minsk would not give him a Bible.

Zmitser Dashkevich: Letters from “Valadarka”

14:15, 25/09/2006 On September 23 members and fellow-fighters of the “Young Front” leader Zmitser Dashkevich got his first letters from the remand prison in Valadarski street in Minsk, under date of September 19.

Zmitser Dashkevich Accused

10:35, 22/09/2006 The leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich has been presented an official accusation. The young activist is charged with violation of the Article 193 of the Criminal Code of Belarus – participation in an unregistered organization. The matter concerns “political amendments” to the Criminal Code made in the run-up to the presidential elections. Activists of the civil initiative of elections observation “Partnerstva” have been charged with violation of this article.

Demands to Release Zmitser Dashkevich in Warsaw

13:49, 19/09/2006 A picket against the arrest of the leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich was staged in front of Belarusian Embassy in Poland. Several dozens young people stood in front of Belarusian Embassy holding portraits of the young politician and demanded his immediate release.

Belarus will be Free! (Photo)

20:51, 16/09/2006 10,000 Belarusians have taken part in “Big Jeans Festival”, an action of solidarity with political prisoners and families of abducted Belarusian politicians. The Belarusians have reminded the regime that seven years ago, on September 16, 1999 the leaders of Belarusian opposition Viktar Hanchar and Anatol Krasouski. Thousands of participants of the festival are wearing jeans clothes, a symbol of freedom in Belarus. Jeans T-shirts are raised as flags, reminding an event a year ago, when a young leader Mikita Sasim encircled by riot policemen put up a jeans shirt as a flag during the rally dedicated to the disappeared.

Young Front Leader Zmitser Dashkevich Arrested

12:22, 15/09/2006 The leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich is arrested. The prosecutor’s office of Belarus has issued a sanction for arrest, the Charter’97 press center was informed by an activist of the organization Artur Finkevich. It is known that a criminal action has been initiated on charges relating article 193 of the Criminal Code (involvement in activities of an unregistered organization). The matter concerns “political” amendments to the Criminal Code made in the run-up to the presidential election sin Belarus.