战略与国际研究中心-Belarus-BiWeekly-News-Digest_-October-2_3页_110kb

Summary of Events in October 2005

Core Content

In October 2005, Belarus experienced a series of political, social, and international developments that reflected the country's ongoing challenges with human rights, political opposition, and international relations.

Key Events

1. PACE Resolution on Forcible Abductions

• The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted new recommendations addressing forcible abductions in Belarus.
• The resolution emphasized the need for strong and effective measures to deal with disappearance cases.
• This highlights international concern over human rights violations in the country.

2. Constitutional Rights Violation – Travel Permit System

• The Belarusian Constitutional Court extended the deadline for abolishing the foreign travel permit system, which requires citizens to obtain a passport stamp and pay a high fee for travel abroad.
• The system was previously criticized as violating constitutional rights to freedom of movement, with the court suggesting its abolition by 2006.

3. Belarusian Prime Minister's Visit to Lithuania

• Prime Minister Sergey Sidorski met with Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas in Vilnius to discuss economic cooperation.
• President Lukashenko had previously threatened to suspend transport activities through the Lithuanian port of Klapeida if anti-Belarusian activities continued.

4. Suspension of Youth Initiative Voka

• The youth initiative Voka suspended its activities due to fear of persecution by the authorities.
• The initiative was known for promoting the use of the Belarusian language on state media and had a number of socially oriented projects.
• The suspension was linked to a decree requiring all coalitions and initiatives to be registered.

5. Harvesting Festival in Slutsk

• President Lukashenko participated in the "Dazhynki-2005" festival in Slutsk, emphasizing the importance of the agricultural sector.
• He also mentioned the recent congress of democratic forces, showing a strategic awareness of political dynamics.

6. Postponement of Ukrainian Prime Minister's Visit

• The planned visit of Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov to Belarus was postponed to October 18.
• President Lukashenko instead went on a holiday to Sochi, indicating a lack of political engagement with neighboring countries.

7. Alexander Milinkevich at Forum 2000 in Prague

• Alexander Milinkevich, the single candidate from the democratic opposition, attended the Forum 2000 in Prague.
• He called for international support for a free and independent press in Belarus, which he believed essential for building public support.
• He also referenced the possibility of regime change through popular protests, similar to the 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine.

8. Age Limitation on Student Travel Abroad

• President Lukashenko signed a decree imposing age restrictions on students who could travel abroad for health improvement.
• Only students in grades 1-4 of primary school and 1-5 of specialized schools were allowed to travel for more than 15 days during the school year.

9. Return of Polish Ambassador to Belarus

• Polish Ambassador Tadeusz Pawlak returned to Minsk after being recalled from Warsaw due to tensions over the Union of Poles in Belarus.

10. Day of Belarusian Solidarity (October 16)

• A peaceful solidarity event was organized to remember four missing opposition activists and a journalist.
• Participants switched off their lights and placed candles on their windows to show support.
• The event received international attention, with candles lit in several countries, but was not widely supported in Belarus due to limited media access.

Main Points and Views

• Human Rights Concerns: The PACE resolution and the travel permit issue highlight the international concern over human rights violations in Belarus.
• Political Opposition: Alexander Milinkevich, the single opposition candidate, is under scrutiny for his past associations and potential Western alignment.
• Strategic Campaigning: Milinkevich needs to develop a strong public campaign, avoid being labeled as a nationalist extremist, and focus on winning the support of the Belarusian people.
• Unity Among Opposition Forces: Despite some cooperation, there is still a lack of unity among youth groups and other opposition factions.
• International Solidarity: The "Day of Solidarity" event demonstrated the potential for international support, but its limited domestic reach underscores the challenges in mobilizing the Belarusian population.

Conclusion

October 2005 marked a period of heightened political and social activity in Belarus, with international attention focused on human rights issues and the internal dynamics of the opposition movement. The events highlight the complex interplay between domestic policies, political strategies, and external pressures in the context of the upcoming 2006 presidential election.