The retailers are discontent with the new value-added tax law, which came into force on January 1, saying that the law requires them to pay the value-added tax twice. They would reportedly be charged 20 percent of the value of imported goods when crossing the border plus 20 percent of their monthly turnover. They would still have to pay a fixed income tax. Sadruzhnasts, a union of private retailers, originally planned to demonstrate on January 1 but canceled the protest because of rumors that the government might yield to its demands. On January 5, Sadruzhnasts told BelaPAN that they knew nothing about the plan to demonstrate on January 31. Source: BelaPAN, No. 14; Wednesday, January 5, 1999; 4:50 p.m.
"This second Freedom March has been scheduled for March 15 by the Coordination Council of Democratic Forces: 'We plan to walk all the way along Prospekt Skaryna, that is from Jakub Kolas square to the square of Independence, as it had always been the case at times of official holidays. Our chief goal is to support the OSCE-initiated dialogue between opposition and authorities. And, of course, to fight for our independence.' March 15th is the official Day of the Constitution, an official holiday. The authorities have no right to prohibit mass action on such a day." Sources: BelaPAN, No. 58; Tuesday, January 18, 2000; 3:40 p.m., and Charter 97, NEWS - updated on 18.01.2000 at 16.40
For further background information about the Chornobyl Disaster, see Health Issues -- including the Legacy of the Chornobyl Disaster.
For article about Charnobylski Shlyakh-99, see "Opposition Stages Charnobylski Shlyakh-99".
The disappearance of Mr. Zakharenko and others is representative of the many crises that Belarus is suffering under at present. . . .
The mass walking is being organized by the Coordinating Rada of Democratic Forces on the initiative of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party. The organizers consider it useless to apply to the authorities for permission to stage a rally or a march. However, they believe that walking does not require permission. The organizers expect at least 5,000 people to take part in the action, which are supposed to begin at 7 p.m. and to include musical performances, poetry recitation, a contest for the best national costume, etc.
By the mass walking, the opposition intends to mark the 5th anniversary of the infamous Lukashenko-crafted referendum, and the violence by the Lukashenka government that preceded it on April 11, 1995.
For further information, see "Referendum, May 14, 1995".
This is the first session of this Congress. The second session will take place in September. Also see: Second Session.
Belarusian craftsmen will show their skills and display their products. Belarusian artists will perform on stage in national costume. The Bible published in Prague in 1518 by the Belarusian printing pioneer Francisak Skaryna is considered one of the most valuable exhibits.
The program of the Day of the Republic of Belarus is scheduled for Saturday, July 22, and includes cultural and sports shows and public and political events. Belarusian officials are expected to take part in the Day of the Republic of Belarus. Source: BelaPAN, No. 118; Tuesday, May 30, 2000; 1:20 p.m.
The First Session of the All-Belarusian (Belarusan) Congress is being organized on the initiative of Belarusian public figures concerned about threats to Belarus' independence, which they believe are posed by the current government's policies. Many Belarusian citizens, political parties, and associations support the idea. They regard the Congress as a mechanism to freely express their opinions about Belarus' independence. Delegates from all of the regions of the country, nominated at people's gatherings, and put forward by political parties, non-governmental organizations, and trade unions, are expected to attend the Congress.
The organizers believe that the All-Belarusian Congress will inherit the traditions of the 1917 All-Belarusian Congress, which resulted in the declaration of the independence of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR) on March 25, 1918. A statement issued by the group says that the Congress is expected to proclaim that Belarus' statehood and welfare are the main values and condemn Belarus' incorporation into the Russian empire.
The Second Session of the All-Belarusian (Belarusan) Congress is to be held in September or October. Source: BelaPAN, No. 5; Monday, April 3, 2000; 6:00 p.m. and No. 69; Monday, April 17, 2000; 5:50 p.m.
Note: This convention takes place over the 3-day, Labor Day, holiday weekend in the USA.
Event pre-registration by Friday, August 25, 2000. Hotel reservations by Friday, August 18, 2000.
For further information see the Brest State University Web site.
This is the second session of this Congress. The first session takes place in May. Also see: First Session.
"In addition to the march in Mensk on October 1, starting near the Academy of Sciences, 22 local rallies and demonstrations throughout Belarus will take place on October 8 and another big protest in Mensk on October 14." Note: Check the Charter 97 Web site for the latest information (language selection--English, Russian, or Belarusian)--is near the center left of the screen).
"Experts are scheduled to attend from Belarus, France, Germany, Russia, the United States, and several other countries. The organizers include the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences (BNAS), the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the two countries' Ministries of Education. The forum is viewed as part of efforts inspired by UNESCO's 1999 World Conference on Science and the 2000 World Conference on Education. The Congress is expected to comprise several seminars and round tables, as well as a conference on Scientific and Innovation Policy (SIP 2000). The Congress venues will include the Palace of the Republic and the BNAS Presidium headquarters."
"Dzen' Dzyady, a holiday in honor of ancestors, has been associated since the late 1980s with mass street demonstrations and marches in Minsk. Triggered initially by the revelation of Stalinist crimes and fueled by the striving for national independence, the demonstrations have evolved during the Lukashenko regime into a landmark anti-government protest. This year, the organizers plan to march with candles and crosses from a park on Tolbukhina Street down Minsk's main street, Skaryna Prospekt, to Kurapaty on the northern edge of the city, for a memorial rally. Kurapaty is the site of Stalin-era mass executions of political prisoners."
Note: Check the Charter 97 Web site for the latest information (language selection--English, Russian, or Belarusian)--is near the center left of the screen).