Traditional Food Belarus
Belarus
A law signed in October 2002, requires all religious groups and organizations, including recognized “traditional” religions such as Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Orthodox Judaism, Sunni Islam and the Lutheran Church, to re-register. Many groups and organizations have re-registered. Those not re-registered may not legally worship although most groups continue to meet, leaving them vulnerable to selective implementation of the law by authorities. The law also stipulates that only Belarusian citizens can head religious organizations in Belarus. Within the past year, authorities have harassed, warned, fined, and briefly detained members of some unregistered and so-called "non-traditional" faiths for engaging in unsanctioned worship or proselytism. The U.S. Embassy strongly ... [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]
V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G
Benin is a source, transit, and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation. Beninese children are trafficked to Nigeria, Ghana, Gabon, Cote dIvoire, and Cameroon for forced labor and prostitution. Beninese children are trafficked within the country for forced labor in construction, commercial enterprises, the handicraft industry, and roadside vending. Children from Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso are trafficked to Benin for domestic labor and vending. The traditional practice of "vidomegon," whereby poor children are placed with wealthy families, has resulted in some labor and sexual exploitation. Children trafficked outside Benin are trafficked to cocoa plantations in Cote dIvoire, rock quarries in Nigeria, and involuntary domestic servitude in Gabon. The Government of Benin does not fully comply with the minimum ... [Read More]
Belarus
The Committee of Religious and Nationalities Affairs (CRNA) (formerly known as the State Committee on Religious and National Affairs) describes some religions and denominations, including Russian Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Judaism, Sunni Islam and Lutheranism as traditional. Some, including some Protestant and other faiths, were viewed as nontraditional. Other faiths, including many Eastern religions, were viewed as sects. This categorization affected the overall attitude of the regime toward these religions, including the ease or difficulty they faced in registering. ... [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]
Latvia (05/05)
Trade: Exports--$2.28 billion: wood/wood products 33.6%; metals 13.2%, textiles 12.8%, machines 6.5%, food/food products 7.1. Major markets--Germany 15.5%, U.K. 14.6%, Sweden 10.5%, Lithuania 8.4%, Estonia 6.0%. Imports--$4.04 billion: energy 9.7%, machinery 21.3%, chemicals 10.4%, food/food products 21.8%, metals 8.4%, vehicles 9.8%. Partners--Germany 17.2%, Lithuania 9.8%, Russia 8.8%, Finland 8%, Sweden 6.4%. ... Manufacturing (14.8% of GDP): Light electrical equipment and fittings, textiles and footwear, technological instruments, construction materials, processed foods. ... [Read More]
Lithuania
The Constitutional Court, at the request of the President, members of the Parliament, the Government, or the judiciary, reviews the constitutionality of laws and other legal acts, as well as that of actions by the President and the Cabinet. The main function of administrative courts is to investigate the legality and validity of administrative acts and conflicts in public administration and taxation. Administrative courts may perform judicial review of documents regulating the implementation of laws, except decisions by the Cabinet of Ministers. The Ministry of Justice continued to move towards a system of specialization of judges in district and local courts.There are no special family courts, but judges in the district courts hear juvenile criminal cases and cases related to children's rights (for example, domestic adoption and paternity matters). If the ECHR determines that courts have violated the European Conv ... [Read More]
IEW Events > United States
El Centro College will celebrate IEW by featuring an "International Fest: Reflections of One World." The campus will celebrate diversity of thought, expression, cultural traditions, history and values. El Centro will also sponsor a week-long series of intercultural activities, international dance, music and food. International foods will be served throughout the week, but specifically on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the main day of our celebration. A "World Balloon" will be featured in the gym for everyone to visit. El Centro College students will also host a fashion show featuring clothing attire from different countries, and will be hosting a food drive for the North Texas Food Bank. ... [Read More]
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