Policy briefs

Resolutions, statements and press releases on Belarus

Monitoring Report on Developments in Belarus. November 2008 - September 2010

2010-09-02 16:26 / BIIM in cooperation with Belarusian NGOs, Human Rights Group and Independent Journalists

The change in the EU policy has inspired some cosmetic improvements in the situation with human rights in the country. Certain symbolic steps of the Belarusian government towards liberalization during the first year of the dialogue suggested the possibility for further development of Belarusian institutes, legislature and practices in respect of human rights. But at the end of year 2009 and in 2010 the situation of the segment of Belarusian society that could actively participate in the forthcoming election campaign has deteriorated. Seeking to solve present short-term domestic political problems, the Belarusian government was willing to make isolated concessions to the political opposition and civil society to earn EU acclaim in 2009, but failed to demonstrate the political will for genuine pro-democratic reforms in light of the upcoming presidential election of 2010.

Belarus Flirts with China, Chilly on Market Reform

2010-08-25 15:13 / FOX business

Belarus is likely to give few clues at least until after upcoming presidential elections on whether it will seek much-needed foreign investment elsewhere or concentrate on its strongly developing links with China. It is unclear though whether Lukashenka thinks growing links with Beijing, without the moves away from a centrally planned economy desired by Western investors, are enough for one of Europe's poorest countries.

Belarus and Ukraine Enter the 20th Year of Independence

2010-08-25 14:14 / BELARUS DIGEST

Belarus and Ukraine are celebrating the 19th year of their independence in 2010. Back in 1991, Belarusian parliamentarians followed Ukraine’s example. The very next day, they gave the status of a constitutional law to the Declaration of Belarusian State Sovereignty, adopted on July 27, 1990. But today, Minsk celebrates neither August 25th nor July 27th. The authorities don’t even commemorate the creation of the Belarusian People’s Republic on March 25th, 1918. Instead, independence day celebrations are held on July 3rd, the date marking the liberation of Minsk from the Nazi troops in 1944.

It Takes One to Know One

2010-07-27 12:48 / The Economist

RUSSIA and Belarus are unlikely champions of democracy and freedom of speech. But a postmodernist approach to politics can yield odd results in the post-Soviet world. In recent weeks these authoritarian regimes have denounced each other’s authoritarianism and deployed state-controlled media to attack each other’s lack of media freedom. Bizarrely, this war of words has been waged in the name of brotherly ties and economic union.

Tensions Mounting between Belarus and Mother Russia

2010-07-15 15:16 / edmontonjournal.com

Russia appears to have renounced its former ally, Belarusian president Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The latest feud between Russia and its neighbour Belarus has been described by a Belarusian analyst as a dialogue between gangsters, a ritual of mutual insults and jibes that are now both familiar and expected. But it has reached a new and unprecedented level of animosity.

The protagonists are familiar. In one corner are Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev, the guiding forces of the "petro-state" and oil and gas exports to the West, about 25 per cent of which are fed through a pipeline across Belarus into the European Union. In the other, is the man once described by a U.S. source as "the last dictator of Europe," Lukashenka, a burly figure with his balding pate and trademark moustache.

Belarus's President Prepares the Next Act

2010-07-14 12:05 / Radio Free Europe

Plot closure is a sign of the highest mastery in dramaturgy. And in this regard, Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka is a first-class talent. A genius, actually, if you consider as well that he writes and stars in all the plays himself, leaving his partners pathetic roles with insignificant lines like, "Dinner is served!"

Back at the beginning of the recent gas war, he embraced Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow and -- hardly giving Putin a chance to open his mouth -- launched into burning monologues. Among other things, he called Putin a "broken wolf" and demanded a late supper, pointedly declaring that he hadn't been fed by President Dmitry Medvedev. Putin limply promised to serve the Belarusian president.

To Engage or Not to Engage: The Policy Dilemma of Dealing with Belarus

2010-06-25 11:21 / gmfus.org

By Pavol Demes, Sabine Fischer

How to deal with Belarus, along with the question of whether to engage or seek to isolate the regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been a bone of contention in policy debates across the Atlantic. In 2008 the European Union concluded that the previous policy of isolation had failed, and it shifted to a policy of engagement. That policy, however, has thus far borne little fruit. Sabine Fischer nevertheless argues that Belarus has no option in the long term but to deal with the EU, and that Brussels should show strategic patience and continue a long-term policy of multilateral engagement. Pavol Demes argues that it is time to realize how President Lukashenka has outmaneuvered the EU, and time to shift to a policy that places more emphasis on civil society as a motor of future change.

Is Lukashenka the Real Target of Kremlin's Gas Dispute?

2010-06-25 10:36 / KyivPost

http://www.charter97.org/photos/20080819_lukashenko_medved_t.jpg

Experts see Russia using energy disputes to pressure neighbors into political concessions.

Moscow is embroiled in yet another energy showdown with a former satellite state. This time the Kremlin is fighting with Belarus, not Ukraine, about natural gas prices and payments. But the Russian leadership's real aim may be to topple - or at least undermine - Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the authoritarian president of the former Soviet republic of 10 million people.

Money and Brotherhood: What Belarus Means to Moscow?

2010-06-22 20:49 / Belarus Digest

Every time facing confrontation with Moscow, Belarusian president speaks about immaterial and spiritual – common Slav roots, history and kinship of Belarusians and Russians. Emotions and sentiments can matter a lot in international politics and are an effective tool in national foreign policy of some countries. Reiterating his declarations on Belarusians’ and Russians’ unity, Lukashenka is undoubtedly targeting Russian sentimental bonds to his country, not his Belarusian compatriots.

MONITORING REPORT ON DEVELOPMENTS IN BELARUS. NOVEMBER 2009 – JUNE 2010

2010-06-22 10:21 / Prepared through the joint efforts of more than 50 Belarusian and international civil society organizations

In September, the EU will again consider its future relations with Belarus and the possibility of sanctions. Belarusian civil society suggests that the EU pay attention to the following seven issues in order to promote more tangible and consistent change:

· The new Internet regulations;
· Insufficient amendments to electoral legislation;
· Continuous repression against unregistered organizations and failure to repeal Article
193-1 of the Criminal Code;
· Excessive oversight of registered civic organizations and media outlets;
· The forthcoming law on “Non-commercial organizations”;
· New political prisoners; and
· New death penalty verdicts.


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