Diplomats say the European Union extended sanctions against Belarus Monday to ramp up pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko to free political prisoners. A meeting of EU foreign ministers Monday extended a visa ban and asset freeze against 192 individuals linked to the Belarus government and added 16 more officials to the list. Late last month, […]
Belarus Opposition Leader Held by Police After EU Summit
Posted October 1st, 2011 at 4:10 pm (UTC-5)
One of the leading opposition figures in Belarus says that police summoned him after he attended a European Union summit in Poland to strengthen ties with former Soviet states. Anatoly Lebedko says plain clothes police tried to detain him in Minsk Saturday morning, but that he resisted. He says he agreed to go to a […]
EU Leaders Criticize Belarus, Ukraine
Posted September 30th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
European Union leaders on Friday condemned Belarus for its continued poor record on human rights and the rule of law. Speaking at the first day of a summit in Poland aimed at bringing former Soviet states closer to the European Union, EU leader Herman Van Rompuy called for the release of all political prisoners in […]
Belarus Boycotts Summit to Strengthen Ties With the EU
Posted September 30th, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
Belarus has boycotted the first day of a summit in Poland aimed at bringing former Soviet states closer to the European Union. EU leaders have been telling Belarus, Ukraine and other countries seeking closer ties that they must demonstrate respect for democracy. The Warsaw summit aims to improve cooperation with Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia […]
EU Vows Support for Belarus Opposition, Presses for Democratic Change
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
President Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994. He was proclaimed the winner in the December presidential vote, which observers said failed to meet international standards. Belarus authorities arrested hundreds of protesters, journalists and opposition leaders during the mass post-election demonstration December 19. The EU’s Eastern Partnership meeting opens Thursday in Warsaw […]
Alleged Minsk Subway Bombers Go On Trial in Belarus
Posted September 15th, 2011 at 9:20 am (UTC-5)
Two men accused of carrying out a deadly rush hour subway bombing in Minsk last April went on trial in Belarus Thursday. The opening day of the Minsk trial was attended by more than 100 people who were injured or lost relatives in the attack. The explosion took place on a crowded Minsk subway platform, […]
Polish PM: Democratization Condition For EU Help to Belarus
Posted September 6th, 2011 at 9:30 pm (UTC-5)
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk say democratic changes are a key condition for the European Union to support and rescue the crumbling economy in Belarus. Mr. Tusk met with members of Belarusian opposition Tuesday in Poland’s capital Warsaw. Poland took over the EU rotating presidency on July 1. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. […]
Belarus President Pardons 4 Political Prisoners
Posted September 1st, 2011 at 8:30 pm (UTC-5)
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned four political activists who took part in mass post-election protests last December. The president’s press service said Thursday that Mr. Lukashenko pardoned four people who asked for clemency. Bulgaria’s foreign ministry said Thursday that Mr. Lukashenko has promised to release all political prisoners within a month and a half. […]
Bulgaria: Belarus Promises to Free All Political Prisoners
Posted September 1st, 2011 at 3:35 pm (UTC-5)
Bulgaria’s foreign ministry says Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has promised to release all political prisoners within a month and a half. The ministry made the announcement Thursday, saying Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov met with Mr. Lukashenko in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, last week. There was no immediate comment from Belarus’ government. But in a […]
US ‘Disappointed’ Belarus Suspending Uranium Deal With US
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 8:15 pm (UTC-5)
4 The United States has expressed disappointment over a decision by Belarus to suspend plans to fully give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, as previously agreed with the U.S. The State Department made the comment Friday, after the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said it is freezing the project in response to new U.S. sanctions, […]
