90th anniversary of Belarusian National Republic

8:14 Belarus marked Independence Day (Photo)

The Belarusians marked the 18th anniversary of adopting of the Declaration on State Sovereignty by the Supreme Council of the BSSR. This day was proclaimed the Independence Day of Belarus. Solemn actions were held all over the country. National flags appeared in Minsk and other Belarusian cities. 

15:21 Justification of Belarusian regime’s cruelty by Russia looks simply monstrous

The EU and the US have announced that economic sanctions against Lukashenka’s regime can be used after the latest crackdown on the oppositional rally and unseen repressions against journalists. And Russia has taken Belarus under its shelter. 

11:32 By crackdown on rally March 25 Belarusians were deprived of cheap Schengen visas

European deputies do not want to sign the declaration for lowering the cost of visas for Belarusian citizens, the reason for that was a harsh response of the Belarusian authorities to the opposition rally on March 25 in Minsk. 

14:45 European press: “Lukashenka’s behaviour remains erratic and unpredictable”

Foreign policy signals from Minsk embarrass. Though Alyaksandr Lukashenka was wheedling the European Union lately, the dictator continues to direct fire against his critics inside the country, Neue Zürcher Zeitung runs. 

13:06 Artur Finkevich: “I’ve changed six cells during 15 days of arrest”

Artur Finkevich, one of the Young Front leaders, told in the interview to the Charter’97 press center about 15 days of arrest, he had to serve in the detention center for participation in Freedom Day demonstration. He had to change six cells during his term. 

9:34 All participants of demonstration of 25 March released (Photo)

All people, detained for participation in the action on Freedom Day 25 March, were released from the detention center on Akrestin Street, where they had served 15 days of arrest. 

16:40 Zmitser Dashkevich: “It’s worse in Akrestsin Street prison than in Valadarsky Street center or Shklou Colony”

The leader of the Young Front Zmitser Dashkevich was released from the special detention center in Akrestsin Street. He has spent 15 days there for participation in the peaceful rally on the holiday, Freedom Day. During the arrest Dashkevich was brutally beaten up, like many other participants of the rally. Photos of his face after riot policemen did that job on him, was published in newspapers all over the world. IN an interview to the Charter’97 press-center Zmitser Dashkevich told that riot policemen were beating him with fists and ankle boots. 

13:10 Address of youth leaders to Belarusians abroad, to friends of Belarus in world

Friends! The Belarusian authorities have tightened repression against democratic activists for the first moths of 2008. Solemn peaceful demonstration on 25 March, dedicated to proclamation of the Belarusian National Republic’s independence, was broken up violently. 

13:37 Lukashenka’s image-maker doesn’t comment arrests on March 25 and searches at journalists’ apartments

English PR man Timothy Bell has informed that the plan for improving image of Belarus abroad has been already put on Lukashenka’s table. 

8:53 Yauhen Afnagel: “Process was expedited by clubs and kicks”

Participants of the rally on March 25 are started to be released. The demonstrators told the Chareter’97 press center what expected them after detention, told the activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Yauhen Afnagel. 

16:51 Riot militia broke ribs of participants of Freedom Day demonstration

Doctors of Minsk hospital No 3 diagnosed Andrei Babitski, activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus,” with “closed displaced fracture of eighth rib.” The youth activist and dozens of other participants of the demonstration on 25 March were beaten up brutally by riot militiamen. Emergency brigade, called to the Savetski district internal affairs department, refused to help the oppositionist. 

17:14 Grand gig Solidarity with Belarus in Warsaw (Photo)

Thousands of people attended a concert titled Solidarity with Belarus, held on Warsaw Castle Square. Polish bands and Belarusian musicians Lyavon Volski, Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich, Rusya, Alyaksandr Kulinkovich, Alyaksandr Pamidorau and IQ 48 played there. 

10:00 To stop riot militia brutality (Photo)

At a crossing of Independence Avenue and Kazlou Street, where opposition demonstration was beaten up brutally on 25 March, an action demanding to stop cruel crackdown of peaceful demonstrations in Minsk was held at 6.00 30 March. 

8:28 People protest and demand freedom in Minsk (Photo)

Some actions demanding to release political prisoners, opposition activists, arrested 25 March, and stop pressing upon independent Belarusian media were held in Minsk 30 March. 

16:07 Padabed thinks supporters of independence are slime

Alena Makarevich, Young Front activist and participant of the action dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic independence, told Radio Svaboda about beating and arrests of the youth on 25 March. 

14:57 Slovak foreign ministry decries persecution of independent journalists in Belarus

The Slovak foreign ministry has condemned the recent instances of persecution and harassment of independent journalists in Belarus. 

18:27 European Parliament president urges Belarusian government to release people arrested during police crackdown on demonstration in Minsk

The president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, has urged the Belarusian government to immediately release the people arrested during a police crackdown on a demonstration staged in Minsk on March 25 on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic. 

8:38 25 March authorities did their best to ruin Belneftekhim

"On Freedom Day the authorities did their best to ruin Belneftekhim and make Europe to work out harsher policy towards the Belarusian dictatorship," Andrei Sannikov, international coordinator of Charter'97, member of the organising committee of the civil campaign "European Belarus," said commenting on break up of the peaceful opposition demonstration on 25 March. 

20:32 That’s the way journalists are beaten up in Belarus (PHOTO)

A press journalist of “Nasha Niva” Andrei Lyankevich was brutally beaten by riot policemen on March 25 during a demonstration in Minsk. Together with dozens of other detained Belarusians he spent a night in Akrestsin Street. Today he faced trial. 

18:13 Break up of demonstration in Minsk – first PR-reaction of Lukashenka and Lord Bell

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has recently has gone into business with British Lord Timothy Bell, PR specialist. He declared in the interview to foreign media he had started working. The whole world the first results of their cooperation. 

16:19 Roman Catholic priest arrested at rally

A Roman Catholic priest from Vitsebsk diocese Fr. Yury (Barok) stood trial in Maskouski district court in Minsk today. Judge Husakova decided to punish the priest for participation in the oppositional rally with a maximum fine of 30 basic units. 

16:09 Russian flag in bus of riot policemen (Photo)

Journalists of the Charter’97 press-center have managed to picture a Russian flag in a bus of riot policemen, when detained protesters were taken to the court of Savetski district of Minsk. 

15:52 World shocked with brutality of Belarusian authorities

Crackdown of an opposition action in honour of Freedom Day 25 March in Minsk is in the focus of attention of the biggest world informational agencies, newspapers and TV channels. 

15:36 Journalist Syamyon Pechanko sentenced to 15 days of arrest

The journalist of “Nasha Niva” has been sentenced to 15 days of arrest by the court of Maskouski district of Minsk. The verdict was passed by Judge Tamara Unukevich. 

15:30 Mikita Shutsyankou: “Riot policemen snatched European flag from my hands

“We were detained in Independence Avenue and near the “Vecherniy Minsk editorial office. Riot policemen encircled us and started to press us from every side. They snatched my European flag and tore it. Then they formed a “corridor”, and, punching and clubbing us on heads and legs, made us go through it” , -- the Charter’97 press-center was told by an activist of the campaign “European Belarus” Mikita Shutsyankou. 

15:01 Colonels Padabed and Paulichenka were in command of atrocious disband

The commander of Minsk of riot police regiment of Minsk Yury Padabed and the commander of internal troops Special Forces Dzimtry Paulichenka were in command of crackdown on the peaceful demonstration in Minsk on March 25. 

13:54 Conveyer of trials over demonstrators (permanently updated) (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Participants of the rally on Freedom Day are tried in all almost district courts of Minsk (Partyzanski, Savetski, Frunzenski, Zavodski, Tsentralny and Maskouski). All judges are involved. According to human rights watchdogs, about 100 persons were detained in Minsk yesterday. According to witnesses, many arrested are taken to courts in paddy wagons are battered. First verdicts are fines and arrests. 

13:54 Lukashenka distracted with sanctions (Photo, video)

Celebration of the Belarusian National Republic 90th anniversary in Minsk ended with mass arrests and cruel beating of people. Hundreds of policemen and riot policemen were thrown against participants of the demonstration. More than 100 people were detained. Many persons were beaten. As detained activists said to Chater’97 press center, emergency took demonstrators with broken ribs and head injuries. 5-7 thousands of people took part in the action, held in different parts of Minsk. 

13:11 In fact state of emergency was imposed in Minsk on March 25

The leader of the United Civil party Anatol Lyabedzka and his assistant Valyantsina Palevikova have written a protest to the book of complaints and suggestions of Minsk city executive committee related to the fact that in fact a state of emergency was imposed in Minsk near Yakub Kolas Square on the order of city authorities, and rights of hundreds of the capital citizens had been violated. 

12:36 Why does NTV lie?

To be more precise, it doesn’t say the truth, because I can’t believe only laypersons work there now. Let’s think Viktor Kuzmin is not strong in elementary arithmetic. Otherwise it may be difficult to explain that only some hundreds of people took part in the demonstration, when other informational agencies reported about thousands. 

12:26 “When riot militiamen forcing Yauhen Afnahel into paddy wagon, blood was gushing from his mouth”

Participants of the demonstration on 25 March in Minsk told to the Charter’97 press center terrible details of beating people by riot militiamen. 

11:46 Attack on Charter’97 site

A distributed denial-of-service attack on Charter’97 site was executed at 00.00am today. 

11:35 Democratic activists were detained and beaten according to check-list

The rally dedicated to the 90th anniversary of declaration of the Belarusian National Republic was accompanied by manhandle and mass arrests. 

20:32 Minsk riot police beats up peaceful citizens (Video)

Total lawlessness of riot policemen who were beating up people during the peaceful rally on Freedom Day in Minsk was shot by our correspondents on video. 

19:47 Authorities try to keep their outrage from world

TV and Radio Company Mir refuses to broadcast video reports of foreign TV channels, accredited in Minsk, about a crackdown of a peaceful demonstration, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic proclamation. 

19:30 Riot policemen against peaceful protesters (Photo)

Hundreds of policemen and riot policemen were ordered to confront peaceful demonstrators on Freedom Day. The regime brutally disbanded the peaceful protest, beaten up and detained more than 100 participants of the rally. 

19:21 Human rights watchdogs: More than 100 participants detained during demonstration in Minsk

As the Charter’97 press-center was informed by human rights activists, during the brutal disband by riot policemen of the protest dedicated to celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic, more than 100 persons were detained in Minsk. 

16:58 Mass arrests and beating on Freedom day in Minsk (Online report, video)

A mass demonstration in honour of Freedom Day is held today in the Minsk center. Militia blocked Yakub Kolas Square, where participants of the action were to meet. Thousands of people have taken to Independence Avenue in Minsk. Cordons of riot militia are beating brutally the people. However, mass protests go on, people are breaking riot militia cordons and moving along Independence Avenue. Militia detained people near Victory Square. Tens and probably hundreds of people have been arrested. 

15:10 New York celebrates BNR 90th anniversary (Photo)

A number of events dedicated to 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR) proclamation were held in New York. 

10:40 Today is Freedom Day: Meet on Yakub Kolas Square

All political leaders, who expressed their support to Freedom Day, meet on Yakub Kolas Square at 6.00pm today. 

8:27 New York Mayor proclaimed 25 March Day of Belarusian Independence

New York Mayor Michel Bloomberg addressed the Belarusian Diaspora ahead of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic and proclaimed 25 March 2008 Day of Belarusian Independence in his city. 

15:21 Plans on Freedom Day celebration remain the same

The Minsk city executive committee permitted to hold the demonstration dedicated to 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic 25 March on the route Academy of Science - Banhalor Square. Organisers of the Freedom Day celebration don’t agree with it. They disclaimed all responsibility for holding of the action and said that “plans remain the same” – participants of the action Freedom Day are to come to Yakub Kolas Square at 6.00pm. 

9:37 Minsk Gets Ready for Freedom Day (Photo)

Preparation for celebration of Freedom Day, a day of declaration of the independent Belarusian People’s Republic, is underway in the capital of Belarus. 

14:45 Andrus Tsyaniuta: “This day Moskals on Belarus”

In two weeks Belarus is to celebrate the 90th anniversary of proclamation of the Belarusian People’s Republic. The leader of the Homel Young Front branch Andrus Tsyaniuta believes that on this day “after 90 years of trial the Belarusian nation has a chance to get rid of the last yoke of Russian imperialism”. 

8:45 BNR 90th anniversary to be celebrated in European Parliament

Belarusian week is a programme of celebration the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic in the frames of plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 10 -13 March. 

17:01 BPF asks to give site for holding national dictation timed to Freedom Day

Minsk city organisation Belarusian Popular Front Renaissance (BPF) sent requests to administrations of the National, Kupala and Pushkin Libraries, and to administrations of the Belarusian State University and Belarusian State Pedagogical University asking to allow them to lend a room for holding the national dictation, which is to be on 23 March. 

8:53 National flags remind Belarusians of 25 March

A national white-red-white flag was noticed on the roof of a three-storey dwelling house on Herzen Street in Vitsebsk about half past seven in the morning on 1 March. 

9:40 White-red-white marathon in honour of BNR 90th anniversary in Vitsebsk

Legendary Miron hang out a white-red-white national Belarusian flag near the court of Vitsebsk district on 26 February. The flag appeared at about 8pm on the roof of the three-storey dwelling house opposite the court building on Kamsamolskaya Street. 

16:48 Exhibition dedicated BNR 90th anniversary in Palace of Arts (Photo)

An exhibition by Ales Tsyrkunou “The Land Awakened by Heinal” opened in the Minsk Palace of Arts on 20 February. It was organised on the occasion of 60th birth of the artist and dedicated to two dates: 170th anniversary of Kastus Kalinouski’s birth and 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR) proclamation. 

15:21 Ivonka Survilla: “Together we’ll attain our aim – freedom and democracy”

President of the Rada of the Belarusian National Republic addressed Belarusians of the world on the occasion of celebration 25 March in Belarus.