Belarus And Population
2004 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Belarus
Only the state run radio and the state-run television networks ONT and Belarusian Television (BT) broadcast nationwide. Russian channels NTV and RTR were generally available nationwide, although in many parts of the country only through pay cable services. However, their news programs were at times blocked from broadcast. Broadcasts from other countries, including Poland, and Lithuania, could be received in some parts of the country; however, the Brest local government removed three Polish channels from local cable providers in December. The reporting of both ONT and BT was biased heavily in favor of the Government and sharply critical of opposition politicians and organizations, and both failed to provide opposing viewpoints. This bias became more pronounced before the October 17 parliamentary elections and referendum. The BAJ reported that state channels provided only positive reviews of the President and Government. State owned media, including television, radio, and print, continue ... [Read More]
Report on Global Anti-Semitism
January 5, 2005 Executive Summary I. Anti-SemitismAnti-Semitism has plagued the world for centuries. Taken to its most far-reaching and violent extreme, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism resulted in the deaths of millions of Jews and the suffering of countless others. Subtler, less vile forms of anti-Semitism have disrupted lives, decimated religious communities, created social and political cleavages, and complicated relations between countries as well as the work of international organizations. For an increasingly interdependent world, anti-Semitism is an intolerable burden. The increasing frequency and severity of anti-Semitic incidents since the start of the 21st century, particularly in Europe, has compelled the international com ... [Read More]
Belarus
The executive branch continued its suppression of freedom of speech. A 1997 presidential decree prohibits a range of broadly defined activities and limits freedom of expression. The decree prohibits individuals from carrying placards or flags bearing emblems that are not registered officially with the State, as well as emblems, symbols, and posters that intended to harm the State and public order or rights and legal interests of the citizens. The decree also bans activities that demean state authorities. This decree has been used to prosecute and fine those carrying symbols emphasizing the country's independence, such as the red and white flag. A 1998 decree limited citizens' right to express their own opinions. In 2001 Ales Abramovich, Alesia Yasiuk, Nadzieya Grachukha, and Dmitry and Mikhail Kuznitsov were arrested and charged with defamation for verbal abuse of the president's honor and dignity during the course of a 30-minute demonstration in Borisov. Throughout the ye ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
American Embassy - Minsk Post CityLast Updated: 11/28/2003 10:21 AM Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is today a clean manageable city of beautiful well-kept parks, wide streets, both prewar European and postwar Soviet architecture, statues that celebrate the exuberance of youth and towering monuments to a war-torn past. As the political, economic, cultural, and social center of Belarus, Minsk is also the administrative capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). With a population of 1.7 million (one-sixth of the countrys population), the city supports two airports; an efficient underground metro system; respected academic and cultural institutes of higher learning; a modern sports stadium; tranquil botanical gardens; and innumerable museums, theaters, and arenas. ... [Read More]
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Press Availability at the NATO Ministerial
There's a long-term track of trying to strengthen the comprehensive agreement between North and South so that there's a more unified Sudanese Government, to deal with Darfur and other regional conflicts in Sudan. There's a long-term track of trying to get a political solution that brings all factors and all elements in Darfur together. But there's a short-term problem and that short-term problem is to try and create better circumstances for the humanitarian, the human condition, in Darfur. And if asked, I would hope that NATO would be prepared to be a part of that. ... [Read More]
Global IQ Quiz – International Education Week 2003
8. Including land mass and bodies of water, which is the largest country in the world in area? ... a. Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom ... d. Switzerland ... [Read More]
Belarus (10/04)
Peat, the country's most valuable mineral resource, is used for fuel and fertilizer and in the chemical industry. Belarus also has deposits of clay, sand, chalk, dolomite, phosphorite, and rock and potassium salt. Forests cover about a third of the land, and lumbering is an important occupation. Potatoes, flax, hemp, sugar beets, rye, oats, and wheat are the chief agricultural products. Dairy and beef cattle, pigs, and chickens are raised. Belarus has only small reserves of petroleum and natural gas and imports most of its oil and gas from Russia. The main branches of industry produce tractors and trucks, earthmovers for use in construction and mining, metal-cutting machine tools, agricultural equipment, motorcycles, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, and consumer goods. The chief trading partners are Russia, Germany, Ukraine, and Poland. ... [Read More]
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Over the past quarter-century, a profound democratic revolution, grounded in the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has reshaped the world political order and helped secure global economic prosperity. Democracy, human rights, religious freedom, and worker rights rank high among the fundamental American values that have helped to create this freer, more stable, and prosperous global arena. But democracy and human rights are not just uniquely American concepts. They are truly universal values whose powerful message has transformed the planet. As we promote democracy and human rights, we build a stronger, more prosperous, and ultimately freer world. If we act wisely, future historians looking back at this millennium will identify the growth and consolidation of democracy and human rights as both our greatest achievement and our most important legacy. ... [Read More]
Belarus
The country was both a country of origin and a country of transit for women and girls being trafficked to Central and Western Europe for purposes of prostitution and sexual exploitation. The open border with Russia made the country a likely transit route for victims from Russia and points eastward. Trafficking remained a significant problem. The MOI was investigating leads concerning the alleged trafficking of Belarusian women to Cyprus. MOI investigators estimated that approximately 500 Belarusians may have been trafficked to Cyprus during the past 3 years. Victims were forced to work as dancers and prostitutes in Cypriot clubs, bars, and restaurants. The authorities released limited statistics on the problem of trafficking. According to country NGOs, several thousand Belarusian women were victims of trafficking. The country was also a country of origin and transit for women being trafficked to Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany, Israel, Poland, Czech Republic, Turkey, C ... [Read More]
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