Belarus Food
V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G
France is a destination country for women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude, primarily from Eastern and Central Europe and Africa. The number of Chinese women trafficked to France for sexual exploitation increased in 2004. The government estimates that there are 10,000 to 12,000 trafficking victims in France, 3,000-8,000 of whom are children forced into prostitution and labor. Nigerian trafficking networks continued to expand their activities in France. Trafficking of Brazilian women and girls for sexual exploitation to French Guiana a French possession remained a serious problem. The Government of France fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Although the government did not provide full data on investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences, the Secretary of State has ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Convenience foods, prepackaged foods, and special diet foods (such as, no or low fat, salt, or sugar products) are practically nonexistent. A few American brands can be found. Only a few foods come well frozen. ... Stockmanns is a large food/department store in Helsinki, Finland. Deliveries are made weekly on the mail truck coming from Embassy Helsinki. Stockmanns makes every effort to accommodate the requested food with the European equivalent. Even perishable foods such as milk, cheeses, fresh produce, meat, and fish are available. The quality is consistently good, and perishables are shipped in a manner that guards against spoilage even in the warmer months. The drawbacks are: Stockmanns has no catalog from which to select; prices tend to be high; and they are not known until the bill arrives. ... [Read More]
Belarus
According to human rights monitors, conditions at prison hospitals were also poor. The average amount of space provided for each inmate was 1.2 square yards. In many cases, food provided in prisons did not meet minimum medical requirements. In September Hindu detainees who adhere to a strict vegetarian diet were given regular meat-based food to eat (see Section 2.c.). Detainees in pretrial detention facilities also reported poor conditions and denial of medical treatment, which contributed to declining health while awaiting trial. Two protesters affiliated with Zubr (a well-known youth movement) complained about conditions of confinement, saying that the cells were overcrowded and often contained alcoholics who experienced delirium. The pair were not allowed exercise and were unable to walk during their 10-day detention. In addition, the wife of a Hindu leader who was jailed for praying in the street was beaten by other inmates while in prison (see Section 2.c.). ... [Read More]
Oil-for-Food Contract Release List - June 1
The U.S. Government released its "hold" on the following contracts under the UN Oil-for-Food program effective June 1, 2001. ... Oil-for-Food Contract Release List - June 1 ... [Read More]
U.S. Assistance to Belarus Fiscal Year 2004
The humanitarian program in Belarus consists of the transportation, distribution, and monitoring of donated humanitarian commodities through the State Department Humanitarian Transport Program. Medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, emergency shelter items, food, and clothing are the main commodities shipped and distributed to the most needy individuals, families, and institutions. The U.S. humanitarian programs in Belarus are specifically designed to assist the most vulnerable groups and are executed through grants to private volunteer organizations. The total value of U.S. humanitarian commodities provided in FY 2004 is estimated to be in excess of $5 million. ... [Read More]
Belarus
According to human rights monitors, conditions in prison hospitals were also poor. In prisons, the average amount of space provided for each inmate was 1.2 square yards. Interior Minister Vladimir Naumov stated that the prison population, 52,500, exceeded total capacity by 20 percent. In many cases, food provided in prisons did not meet minimum medical requirements or accommodate dietary restrictions. Unlike in previous years, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee reported that food was not denied to prisoners during the year. Valery Levonevsky, an opposition activist jailed for an unauthorized protest, stated that inmates were denied the opportunity to exercise and that food did not meet minimum sanitary standards. In December 2002, the Constitutional Court ruled that prisons must consider appeals against prison-imposed punishments; however, prisons refused to consider such appeals on the grounds that there were no laws outlining the procedures for handling such appeals. [Read More]
2004 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Belarus
The problem of overcrowding eased. The Government reported that the prison population, which was 52,500 in 2003 decreased to approximately 33,000 in June. In many cases, food provided in prisons did not meet nutritional requirements or accommodate dietary needs. ... Prison conditions remained austere and were marked by occasional shortages of food and medicine and the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS. About 1,100 prisoners were infected with HIV. Leila Zerrougui, the chairperson of the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, who visited the country in August, noted that conditions in detention centers were worse than those in prisons because of improper sanitary and living conditions, restrictions on detainees' rights to make phone calls and receive parcels, and pressure to confess to wrongdoing. According to human rights monitors, conditions in prison hospitals were also poor. ... [Read More]
Belarus (10/04)
Trade (2003): Exports--$10.0 billion (machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals, and textiles). Major markets--Russia, Latvia, Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania. Imports--$11.5 billion (mineral products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, foodstuffs). Major suppliers--Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Lithuania. ... Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800. ... [Read More]
Belarus
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Belarus became an independent republic on August 25, 1991, after the breakup of the Soviet Union. In November 1996, a constitutional referendum, not recognized by the international community, centralized power in the executive branch (president), headed by Alexander Lukashenko. Economic and political reform in Belarus has stalled or is being reversed under his authoritarian government. The Government’s human rights record remains very poor and has worsened in some instances; the Government continues to commit numerous serious abuses and to deny citizens the right to change their government. Both Belarusian and Russian are official languages, and Russian is widely spoken throughout the country, particularly in the cities. Tourist facilities are not highly ... [Read More]
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