18:13 Picket against repeal of benefits held in Mahilyou (Photo)

On December 16 at the site near the city Culture and recreation center a picket against repeal of benefits was held.

18:02 Stamp for going abroad cancelled

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has signed a decree that the permissive stamp for going abroad “to all countries of the world” is to be cancelled. A “deputy” Syarhei Maskevich told about that at the session of the “chamber of representatives”.

17:17 Criminal case brought for graffiti «Give back Benefits!»

A criminal case (article 341) against 23-year-old Alyaksei Sarnou on fact of drawing graffiti on walls was brought in Grodna.

16:21 Alyaksandr Makaeu: “Incarceration conditions in Akrestsin Street could be equated to tortures”

One of the applicants for holding the protest rally of market vendors Alyaksandr Makaeu who was detained on December 10 before the rally on October Square, has been released today. “I am breathing the air of freedom, and that’s the most important thing. There is no value higher than freedom. When you are deprived of freedom even for a few days, you understand that keenly,” told Alyaksandr Makaeu to the Charter’97 press-center right after leaving the prison in Akrestsin Street.

16:08 Freedom to Politician Prisoners (Photo)

Many actions were held in Minks and other cities of Belarus on December 16, on the Day of Belarusian Solidarity.

15:57 Lukashenka is enemy of Internet

New part on pressure on internet media has appeared in the report of the famous human rights organisation Reporters without Borders in 2007.

15:52 Benefits “buried” in Minsk

A flash-mob related to repeal of benefits has been organized in Zyalyony Luh residential district by activists of the civil campaign “For Freedom!”. In a busy spot of the city, at a bus stop, activists built a “monument” to a reduced-fare ticket.

15:06 Flash mob in Minsk: police given financial support

A flash mob timed to the Day of Solidarity with repressed people and families of missing politicians was held in the Main Post Office in Minsk on 16 December.

14:56 Zmiter Hvedaruk’s sight failed

Leader of the Young Front Zmiter Hvedaruk will stay in 9th Minsk hospital at least till Wednesday 19 December.

14:46 Action against repeal of benefits in Brest

Two participants of the flash mob against repeal of social benefits – activists of the ”For Freedom!” movement Yury Bakur and Kastus Balagur – were detained in Brest.

13:39 Workers ready for strike

The concern Belneftekhim acknowledged there is a collective labour dispute on the joint venture Polotsk-Steklovolokno between the administration and Belarus Free Trade Union (SPB). But it didn’t intervene in the situation. The Free Trade Union says it is ready to begin preparation for a strike to defend the interests of its members.

13:12 Andrei Sannikov: “Russia’s Benevolence is Alarming”

“The publicized results of Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Belarus show that Russia has made steps that are rather favourable for Belarus. Giving the credit has been confirmed, and price rise for gas is quite little. But this benevolence on the Russian part is alarming, as the relations between the Kremlin and Minsk remained tense,” told the international coordinator of the Charter’97 press-center, a former deputy minister of Belarus Andrei Sannikov, commenting on the results of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to Belarus.

On December 16 in Homel at the square in front of the Palace of Culture of hearing-impaired “Vipra” a meeting against repeal of benefits was held. It was an unsanctioned meeting. City authorities gave a negative reply to its applicants. About 100 persons were present at the meeting. Most of them were pensioners.

12:10 10 days for leaflets dedicated to market vendors’ protest rally

A public activist Mikola Serhienka has been arrested for 10 days. The verdict was passed by Judge Yuliya Shumskaya (Leninski district of Minsk). In the court policemen alleged that on December 6 the activist was swearing at policemen in the office of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions on December 6.

8:29 Russians are against giving Lukashenka a credit (Photo)

On December 16 “Oborona” movement held an action of solidarity with the Belarusians near Belarusian Embassy in Moscow. Participants of the rally demanded Russian leadership stop supporting Lukashenka’s dictatorship.

8:26 Belarusians deprived of their last benefits

Commutation tickets, benefits for veterans, cards for free medicines are no longer in force since 17 December. Amount of people who have benefits for utility payment, health care and communication service has been reduced. Actions in protest of the repeal of benefits were organised recently in Belarus.