A Catholic Archbishop who is not allowed to return to his homeland resigns, Switzerland will block Lukashenko’s assets, Miss Belarus was not released from prison; no explanation was provided as to why
11 December 2020 | BYHelp-Mediagroup
Source: novo_polotsk_foto
Switzerland will freeze all of Lukashenko’s assets and deny him entry even for transit
The Swiss government has introduced sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko and 14 more people on 11 December. These are financial sanctions, and a ban on entry and transit. It is emphasized that Switzerland joins the sanctions imposed by the EU in November.
The new list includes Alexander Lukashenko, his son and national security adviser Viktor Lukashenko, as well as the members of the national Security Council. Switzerland claims that they are all “responsible for the acts of violence and arbitrary arrests carried out after the presidential elections” in Belarus on 9 August. Switzerland has frozen financial assets of Belarusian officials and banned them from entering the country even during transit. Thus, Switzerland, which is not a EU member, supported the EU sanctions.
“The Federal Council also decided to amend the ordinance to include an embargo on armaments and goods that may be used for internal repressions. […] By adopting the embargo on armaments and goods that may be used for internal repressions, the Federal Council is reacting to the ongoing repression of civil society and opposition groups in Belarus,” the official website of the Swiss Confederation reported.
Archbishop Kandrusewicz wants to resign
The head of the Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kandrusewicz, who has not been allowed to enter the country for more than three months for condemning violence during peaceful protests, is going to send a letter of resignation to Pope Francis. The bishop explains his request by retirement and age – he will turn 75 years old on 3 January 2021. Whether the Pope will accept his resignation is unknown. The bishop, as a representative of the Catholic Church, has repeatedly called for a peaceful resolution of conflicts, spoke out against lies, violence and injustice.
Reigning beauty of Belarus Volha Khizhynkova was not released from prison; no explanation was given as to why
Today, Miss Belarus 2008 Volha Khizhynkova was to be released from prison, where she spent more than a month in terrible conditions. Despite the poor treatment, unacceptable conditions of detention, and unsanitary surroundings, Volha was very tactful with everyone, helped homeless women to wash themselves of dirt and lice, and volunteered to wash the floors herself. She had to celebrate her birthday in the isolation ward. Several dozen people gathered to meet Volha. Her husband Ivan Maroz hoped to meet his wife, hug and take her home. But Volha never came out. The employees of the Offender Detention Centre reported that she was “serving a court order” and asked those present to disperse. “I will contact the lawyer to find out. I don’t know what the matter is,” said her husband Ivan.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) recognized Belarus as the most dangerous country for journalists in Europe
In its world press freedom rating, the international human rights organization Reporters Without Borders recognized Belarus as the most dangerous country in Europe for journalists in 2020. The organization’s report notes that the number of cases of law and rights violations against journalists in Belarus has increased significantly over the past few months. If during the election campaign 102 such cases were recorded in four months, then in four months after the elections there are 449 cases. According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, at least 62 journalists have been victims of violence, ill-treatment and even torture while in custody. In the 2020 world press freedom rating, which is annually compiled by Reporters Without Borders, Belarus ranks 153rd out of 180 countries, behind most countries in Africa and Asia. Reporters Without Borders appealed to European institutions calling for support of journalists and freedom of speech in Belarus. They also asked to impose sanctions against the Belarusian authorities and freeze financial assistance.
The vice-rector of one of the universities in Minsk asked the police to punish students for a peaceful protest
The student telegram channel BSEU 97% published a photo – an appeal of the vice-rector for educational work at the Belarusian State Economic University (BSEU) to the head of the Zavadzki police office. In this statement, vice-rector Siarhei Skryba asks “to bring BSEU students to administrative responsibility under Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Belarus. The students held mass events that were not authorized in the established manner on 13 October 2020 from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm on the steps of the educational building No. 4 at Partizansky Ave. 22A, in Minsk.” And this call to the police worked: two students received 15 days of arrest each, the rest of the students were fined 15 base units (about 115 euros from each student). On 13 October, BSEU students held a peaceful protest against violence against pensioners.
For more information on the events of 11 December 2020, please visit Infocenter Free Belarus 2020:
