IN THIS ISSUE:

US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE MEETS OPPOSITION ACTIVIST

On April 20 Strobe Talbott, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, met Andrei Sannikov, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus and now international coordinator of Charter 97, a nationwide civic movement. The purpose of the meeting was to "demonstrate the United States' strong support for those in Belarus struggling to restore democracy," said James Rubin, U.S. State Department Spokesman. The full text of the State Department statement follows:

"Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott met with Andrei Sannikov, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus and international coordinator of Charter 97, to demonstrate our strong support for those in Belarus struggling to restore democracy, which was derailed by President Lukashenko's illegal 1996 referendum. They also discussed the prospective of the Russian-Belarusian Union. The Deputy Secretary reiterated the U.S. position that any integration among the NIS must reflect the voluntary will of the people expressed through the democratic process, must be mutually beneficial, and must not erect barriers to integration with the rest of the international community. There is no democratic process now in Belarus, and that calls into question the legitimacy of efforts concerning establishment of the Russian-Belarusian Union.

Talbott and Sannikov also discussed the upcoming May 16 presidential election called by the 13th Supreme Soviet, a legislature illegally disbanded by President Lukashenko in 1996 but still recognized by OSCE member countries. The election aims to resolve the constitutional and political impasse that exists in the country. We call upon the Belarusian government to initiate a dialogue, to establish conditions for free and fair elections, to release presidential candidate former Prime Minister Mikhail Chigir, and other political prisoners. Belarus has an opportunity to join the democratic mainstream of Europe, but can do so only on the basis of democracy and respect for fundamental human rights." (USIA, April 21)

EUROPE'S OTHER DICTATOR

"It is easy, too easy, to dismiss Lukashenko as a tin-pot joke. He operates with the sophistication one would expect of a former Soviet collective-farm chairman. He offers military aid to fellow-dictator Slobodan Milosevic, although his own economy in Belarus is a shambles. But it would be a mistake to underestimate Lukashenko and the menace he represents. He would like Belarus to reunite with Russia to secure a larger stage for himself. His instigation of a ‘Slavic Union’ of Russia, Belarus, and Yugoslavia is one more step on that path, of little practical yet immense symbolic significance. Even if, as is most likely, these unions never come to pass, Lukashenko's tyranny exerts a baleful influence on the young democracies such as Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland that surround his nation.

Those who speak out against Lukashenko's rule risk exile or prison: Mikhail Chigir is in jail on spurious charges. Those who yet remain free are under great pressure: Andrei Sannikov was recently beaten by some of the Russian fascists who operate inside Belarus with impunity. Just as such fascists and ultranationalists do not speak for most Russians, so Lukashenko can no longer claim to speak for his nation. He long ago abrogated his constitution and made a mockery of its democracy. The West may be distracted by his struggle in Yugoslavia, but it should take Serbia as a lesson on how much damage even small-time dictators can cause. That means reaching out to the democrats of Belarus who continue to oppose the Milosevic-Lukashenko axis." (The Washington Post, April 20)

IHF PROTESTS AGAINST PRESSURE ON BHC

On April 20 Aaron Rhodes, Executive Director of the International Helsinki Federation, sent a letter to Minister of Justice of Belarus Vorontsov. The letter expresses concerns over the recent warnings sent by your Ministry to the IHF member in Belarus, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee. In its warnings the Ministry requested that the BHC's by-laws be amended and its activities be limited to the human rights advocacy concerning only its own members. The IHF appealed to the Ministry of Justice "to reconsider its position about the role of human rights organizations in Belarus, and the status of the BHC in particular, in order to comply with the internationally recognized right of human rights defenders to promote and defend the human rights of their fellow citizens, without limiting such activities to the situations where only fate of their own members is concerned". The letter emphasizes that "as a OSCE member, Belarus cannot ignore this right". (IHF, April 20)

SO DOES ILHR

ILHR issued a similar open letter to Belarus Justice Ministry on April 23 (see below).

SHADOW CABINET CALLS FOR CHIGIR'S RELEASE

Mechislav Grib, deputy chairman of the National Executive Committee, will head the Shadow Cabinet until the 13^th Supreme Soviet elects a permanent successor to the former NEC head Gennady Karpenko, who past away on April 6. The decision was made at the NEC's April 21 session. The NEC recommended that former Prime Minister Mikhail Chigir, member of the NEC Presidium, replace Karpenko as the NEC's representative to the opposition's Coordinating Council of Democratic Forces. The NEC has issued a statement urging immediate release of Chigir. The statement says that Chigir was arrested because he has a good chance to win the opposition presidential elections. The NEC draws the public's attention to the fact that the government has failed to explain why the embezzlement charge was brought 5 years after the alleged crime. The NEC also considered a draft law "On Alternative Military Service". Members of the shadow cabinet accused the government of violating conscientious objectors' rights, whose refusal to serve in the army now entail criminal persecution. The NEC decided that the law with some changes would be published in the press for a nationwide discussion. (Belapan, April 21)

JULIA CHIGIR CONTINUES HER HUSBAND'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Julia Chigir, wife of Belarusian ex-prime minister and a candidate in the opposition-organized presidential elections, has been conducting her husband's campaign since he was arrested on spurious charges of embezzlement and abuse of power. This past weekend, she met with groups of residents in several districts of the Minsk region. According to her, from 10 to 50 people attended the meetings. She said that people viewed the election as a way out of the current economic and political crisis. "My impression is that the numbers of the president's supporters are decreasing with every passing day and hour. The population is beginning to realize that they are being led in a wrong direction and drawn into extremely dangerous alliances with states waging wars at the time of a complete chaos in the economy," Julia Chigir said. In her opinion, many people are skeptical about the charges brought against her husband. Most of them believe that the Chigir's prosecution is politically motivated. (Belapan, April 21)

SPRING 96 PROTESTS IN MINSK AGAINST CHIGIR'S ARREST

On April 22, about a dozen members of the Spring 96 Human Rights Center, staged a

picket on Yakub Kolas Square in Minsk to protest against the arrest of Mikhail Chigir. In order to express their protest against wide-spread human rights violations, the demonstrators arranged an exhibition of photos showing dispersal of peaceful rallies, arrests of demonstrators, trials, as well as photos of people whom human rights activists consider political prisoners. The demonstrators were also passing out leaflets linking Chigir's arrest to his intention to run in the opposition-organized presidential elections. (Belapan, April 22)

…WHILE ITS LOCAL LEADER FINED

On April 22 Vladimir Velichkin, head of the Brest branch of the Spring 96 Human Rights Center, was fined 10m BR (about $25) for demonstrating at an outdoor market in the city on February 21. Velichkin held signs to express his protest against the Russia-Belarus-Yugoslavia Union and support for the 1999 presidential elections. The fine was imposed after four extended court hearings. Velichkin believes that the trial was unfair. (Belapan, April 23)

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS CALL ON CITIZENS TO SUPPORT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

On April 18, Narodnaya Hramada, the Belarusian Social Democratic Party, held the Second National Congress in Minsk. 77 delegates from all regions of Belarus were present. The Congress supported the May 16 presidential elections, pointing out that this is the only opportunity to resolve the constitutional crisis in the country. The party calls on all citizens to contribute to the work of election commissions, give assistance to all democratic candidates, and actively participate in the voting. (Belapan, April 18)

MALADY FRONT MEMBERS DETAINED IN MINSK

On April 21, the Minsk police detained several members of the Malady Front while they were posting leaflets calling for participation in the traditional Chernobylski shlyakh, Chernobyl Procession, in Minsk on April 25, the 13^th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. The police officers maintained that the youth had posted the leaflets at inappropriate places, which is punishable by a fine..(Belapan, April 22)

…ANOTHER CHARGED FOR HOLDING UNSANCTIONED PICKET

On April 17 Evgeny Skochko, deputy chairman of Malady Front, was charged with organization and participation in a group actions disturbing the peace in connection with a February 14 unsanctioned demonstration. The charge carries a prison term of up to three years, up to two years of hard labor, or a fine. Skochko, who denies the charge, has signed a pledge not to leave the country. Sergei Lepesh, Skochko's lawyer, said that he did not see any elements of criminal offence in his 22-year-old client's actions. Skochko has already been found guilty of a minor civil offence and spent 10 days in jail for organizing another unauthorized demonstration. (Belapan, April 18)

BELARUSIAN EMBASSY IN BRUSSELS PICKETED

On April 22 the Belarusian Embassy in Brussels was picketed. The picket was organized by the Charter 97 liaison office in Brussels and the Institute for International Assistance and Solidarity. The picketers demanded from the Belarusian authorities to release Mikhail Chigir, Andrei Klimov, Vladimir Koudinov, and other political prisoners, to respect human rights, and to establish free and democratic conditions for the forthcoming presidential elections. (Charter 97, April 22)

BELARUSIAN POLES LEADER FINED

On April 17, the Grodno police detained Tadeusz Gavin, chairman of the Association of Belarusian Poles. The Association organized a picket in Grodno to protest against violation of the rights of the Polish ethnic minority. Despite numerous requests, the city authorities refused to issue a permission to hold a demonstration outside the Association headquarters in Grodno. Shortly after the demonstration began a group of policemen arrived and requested Gavin to accompany them to a local court. The police also forcibly destroyed all the placards the demonstrators held. On April 22 Tadeusz Gavin, was fined 115m BR (about $330). Gavin had been accused of organizing an illegal picket and also of defaming three state officials. (BBC, April 22)

JOURNALIST REFUSED RIGHT TO OBSERVE VOTE COUNT IN BELARUS ELECTIONS

On April 16 Belapan correspondent Irina Makavetskaya was threw out from a polling center in Gomel after asking the chairman of the local election commission to allow her to observe the voting process and the count. This right is given to journalists by the local election law, which does not even require them to apply for accreditation. Anatoly Ruksov, chairman of election commission #55 of the 13th Gomel poll station, said that the only newspapers he knows are Gomelskaya Pravda and Gomelskiye Vedomosty, which are published by the local city government, and ordered security guards to force the correspondent out of the building. Makavetskaya has filed a complaint with the City Election Commission. (Belapan, April 18)

INDEPENDENT PRESS VS. STATE PRESS COMMITTEE

On April 21 the Belarusian Supreme Economic Court heard the appeal of the Narodnaya Volya, the largest independent newspaper, against the State Press Committee concerning the warning to the newspaper for publishing information on the opposition presidential elections. On April 23 the Court decided that it needs to hear additional expert testimony to resolve the issue of whether the opposition Central Electoral Commission’s documents, publication of which was a motive for the Press Committee to issue a warning to the newspapers, contained calls for a forcible overthrow of the government. The judges hearing similar appeals filed by the Narodnaya Volya, Imya, Svobodnye Novosti reached the same conclusion.(Charter 97, April 21-23)

LUKASHENKO "ASSASSINATORS" ARE TRIED IN COURT

On April 21 the Belarusian Supreme Court began a closed-door trial of Gavrilov, Radikovsky, and Yanchevsky, three Mogilev residents charged with conspiring to assassinate Lukashenko as well as with the assassination of Yevgeny Mikolutsky, chairman of the State Control Committee for the Mogilev region, in the autumn of 1997. Mikolutsky was one of the closes allies of Lukashenko in the Belarusian parliament. According to the investigators, they found a large amounts of weaponry, as well as lots of letterheads and stamps of various state agencies. The case will be closed to the press because it allegedly contains information pertaining to state secrets. Relatives of the accused say that the defendants are victims of false testimony, pleaded guilty as a result of physical pressure during investigation, but retracted their confessions later. (Belapan, April 21)

BHC: "TRIAL IS UNFAIR"

Oleg Gulak, executive director of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, believes that Radikovsky accused of murdering Yevgeny Mikolutsky and two other persons suspected of conspiring to assassinate Lukashenko, are deprived their right to a fair trial. Despite numerous requests filed by the Radikovsky’s relatives, Gulak was denied permission to participate in the trial as Radikovsky's public defender. Journalists, human rights observers, and relatives of the accused are not permitted to the courtroom. Gulak expressed fear that the three suspects, who may be sentenced to death if found guilty, will not receive a fair trial because of the lack of openness and the infringement of their right to defense. (Belapan, April 21)

SHORTAGE OF JUDGES TO SENTENCE OPPOSITION?

Lukashenko has signed the decree to increase the number of judges specializing in administrative law and civil cases in district and city courts. According to the document, there will be 95 more judges, including 13 in Brest region, 14 in Vitebsk region, 17 in Gomel region, 11 in Grodno region, 12 in Minsk region, 19 in Mogilev region, and nine in Minsk city. (BBC, April 22)

KHILKO’S WIFE APPEALS

Zinaida Khilko, wife of former head of Belarus Savings Bank Vladimir Khilko who was arrested on charges of absuse of power on October 6, 1998, appealed to Belarusian Helsinki Committee with a request to help provide medical treatment for her husband. Khilko, a disabled person, suffered from heart attack while in detention. According to prison doctors, he was acknowledged to be in serious condition, whereas specialists of National Institute for Cardiology urged immediate surgery. However, the prosecution refused all requests to release Khilko so that he could undergo surgery. This, Ms. Khilko claims, may lead to his death in prison. (BHC, 16 April)

ZAMETALIN RIDICULES OPPOSITION

Vice-Premier Vladimir Zametalin, who has also been serving as the Chief Coordinator of the National Subotnik, called on the opposition to transfer the funds it raised for the May presidential elections to a special subotnik account in the National Bank. Zametalin noted, that "since the opposition calls itself humane, there is a good opportunity to prove it." Calling the forthcoming presidential election "stupidity", he said that the money used for these purposes will be wasted in vain. (Radio 101.2, April 22)

INVESTIGATOR REJECTS SPECULATIONS THAT VINNIKOVA WAS KIDNAPPED…

In an interview published in the April 23 issue of the Zvyazda newspaper, Petr Redko, senior investigator at the Belarusian Prosecutor General's Office in charge of Vinikova’s case, dismissed as "complete absurdity" speculations that Vinikova may have been kidnapped or killed. (Belapan, April 23)

…WHILE NEW DETAILS EMERGE

Belorusskaja Delovaja Gazeta published its own investigative report on Vinnikova’s case. According to the paper, BDG journalists interviewed Vinnikova just one week before kidnapping. Vinnikova revealed a great deal of information on undercover operations with arms sales, oil trade, offering financial services to companies headed by friends of Lukashenko aides, finally, on handling foreign bank accounts of top Belarus officials (including Lukashenko), which was done directly by her. Vinnikova also suggested to help Karpenko draft a report to be presented at the international forum in Warsaw, BDG claims. (Belorusskaja Delovaja Gazeta, April 23)

COMMUNISTS WIN LOCAL ELECTIONS

According to the official Central Electoral Committee, 12 Belarusian parties and representatives of different public organizations took part in the April 16 local elections. Two communist parties won the majority of seats. They are followed by the Belarusian Liberal Democratic Party. The number of seats secured by the Belarusian Patriotic Youth League came a real surprise. Out of almost 180 candidates 146 won their seats in the first round. Ten more went through to a second round. (BBC, April 22)

YELTSIN WARY ON RUSSIA-BELARUS-YUGOSLAVIA UNION

President Boris Yeltsin of Russia "considers it necessary to cuatiously approach the problem of Yugoslavia’s unification with Russia and Belarus, RFERL reported. " The question of the union with Yugoslavia is too difficult and cannot be resolved in one step," he declared at a meeting with regional leaders. He also called the completion of work over the new Russia-Belarus union treaty as one of the major tasks of Russia’s foreign policy. (RFERL, 20 April).

Vienna, 20 April 1999

OPEN LETTER

Dear Mr. Vorontsov,

I am writing on behalf of the International League for Human Rights to convey our concerns over the recent warnings sent by the Ministry of Justice to the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC).

In your most recent warning dated 5 March 1999, you are requesting that the BHC's status be amended as to comply with the Belarusian Law on Associations, which you interpret as allowing an organization to defend the human rights and freedoms of its members only.

The ILHR would like to remind you of the principles reaffirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, other international agreements joined by Belarus, including Helsinki documents, about the right of individuals to defend the human rights of their fellow citizens, individually or in association with others.

The ILHR is aware of the recent Presidential decree that aims to get rid of public associations through their re-registration. According to this decree, organizations that received warnings may be denied re-registration. This, we fear, is the reason for your Ministry's three such warnings to BHC.

We are therefore appealing to you to reconsider your position about the role of human rights organizations in Belarus and the status of the BHC as to comply with the recognized internationally rights of citizens to monitor the human rights situation in their country, not only when the fate of their organizations’ members is concerned. As a member of the OSCE, your government cannot ignore such rights.

We would greatly appreciate your prompt consideration of this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Catherine Fitzpatrick,