An unsanctioned rally

Published: 3 September 2001 y., Monday
Supporters of the leading opposition presidential candidate in Belarus, Uladzimir Hancharyk, held an unsanctioned rally in the capital Minsk today, calling on residents to vote against incumbent President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The rally, which was held a few hundred meters away from the presidential palace, was trade union leader Hancharyk's first meeting with Minsk voters ahead of the 9 September presidential ballot. Human rights groups claimed that up to 3,000 people took part. Police refrained to comment after unsuccessfully calling on the gathering to disperse. Hancharyk called upon Belarusian citizens to take to the streets and defend democracy after next Sunday's presidential election. Security forces briefly detained human rights activists yesterday night as they prepared to hand-out leaflets in support of Hancharyk at a World Cup qualifying soccer match between Belarus and Ukraine (Ukraine won 2-0).
Šaltinis: RFE/RL
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Striking a balance between security and privacy

EU plans will allow international air passenger data to be used under strict conditions in the fight against terrorism and serious crime. more »

Saving the church of bones

Experts are trying to find ways to save the unique Sedlec ossuary - a church decorated with human skulls and bones. more »

Pension schemes: reform needed to ensure sustainability and adequate income, says Employment Committee

The EU and its Member States must act to ensure that pension schemes can sustainably deliver an adequate income to the EU's growing number of retired people, despite the economic crisis, says Parliament's Employment Committee in a resolution voted on Tuesday. more »

China cashes in on UK royal wedding

Chinese factories increase their output of replicas of the Windsor royal engagment ring as world-wide demand for the sparkle remains high. more »

Estonians are spending their last kroons

The euro changeover in Estonia is in its final stage. more »

Environment: A good day for salmon, otters and beech forests

Europe's flora and fauna are now better protected than at any time in the history of the European Union. Natura 2000, Europe's network of protected natural areas, has been expanded by nearly 27 000 square kilometres. more »

2011 – The European Year of Volunteering!

Getting more people involved in volunteering is the key aim of the 2011 European Year of Volunteering. more »

New Year Greetings from President Dalia Grybauskaitė

Dear Fellow People of Lithuania,I send my best wishes to you on this New Year's Eve. more »

Bycycles – necessity in Indonesia?

Some residents in Jakarta are trading in their gas guzzling cars and motorcycles for bicycles. more »

U.S. captivated by winter storm

As a winter storm is heading for the Northeast Coast of the United States, drivers are not the only travelers being hit by the storm. more »