The road to hell is paved with good intentions

               Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, Kirill, has decided that it is not enough to teach people by love but by punishment. After huge controversial law proposal of total abortion prohibition in Poland, where the abortion is banned for many decades (except three circumstances), Russia’s head of church has seen a niche for an improvement in Russia’s law. The situation with abortions in Russia is already so dramatic that such law will bring more harm to unborn children, mothers and society in general. The traditional methods of abortion, illegal “hospitals” with unqualified “specialists” in basements, left newborns in the streets will bloom and expand.

 

The cost of truth: flight MH17

             Today the Joint-Investigation Team (JIT) has revealed the outcome of the investigation regarding the catastrophe of flight MH17 in July 2014. The missile was fired by Russian-made Buk from the territory controlled by Russian separatists. For some people it did not come as a revelation, for others even most obvious facts won’t be enough. This investigation might be important being another evidence of Russian forces’ presence in eastern Ukraine. But how many people are still doubting? The most horrifying and sad moment is that the acknowledgement of Russian aggression in Ukraine costs 298 lives.

Corruption is not the tradition

                One of the biggest myths in fighting corruption is an opinion that the corruption is embedded in the tradition and culture of the country. Indeed, certain mentality might become an obstacle in diminishing the level of corruption, however, it can be changed. Everyone agrees that the political will plays the greater role in combating corruption. It is also able to change the way people perceive the presence and necessity of corruption in their life. By a Soviet mentality people used to blame corruption, nevertheless, rarely refuse to use it for a personal gain. Eastern European countries will prosper only when “you can't buy your way into the queue” (I.Clendinnen)

Ukraine: visa liberalisation on the way

                The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of European Parliament approved to waive the visa requirements for Ukrainians. Previously, the visa liberalisation was expected to be implemented this summer. However, due to several legal and security issues that EU has to establish before Ukrainians would be able to enter the Schengen zone without a visa, it was postponed. Visa free regime will allow citizens of Ukraine who has valid biometric passports to visit Schengen zone (EU area excluding Ireland and UK and including Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) for business, touristic or family purpose. It does not give the right to work or stay longer than 90 days after entering. In order to finalize visa liberalisation Parliament and Council has to vote. 

Belarus looks for new friends: USA

             Last week,  the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, visited USA. The goal of his visit was to establish peaceful relations with US. It goes as a big contrast to the events of 2008: belarusian government requested to significantly limit the number of employees in the US Embassy people and the US Ambassador, Karen Stewart, was recalled to Washington. There is a chance that US Embassy will start operating soon with an US Ambassador to Belarus. Belarusian government realises that Russia is not a reliable partner anymore. There is a necessity to find other sources of financial support in the face of deep economic crisis.

The road of death. Kuropaty.

The horrible secrets of the Kuropaty mass grave located in Minsk started to be discovered in 1988. The mass murders of political prisoners by Soviet secret police have been not yet very known by Belarusians. There were from 80 000 till 250 000 people executed there during 1938 – 1941. The remains of different class, ethnic and religions groups of victims were found there. Many remains being the main evidence of the crimes were removed during the “cleansing” in 50th. There are also assumption that victims of Katyn massacre (1940) were hidden in Kuropaty. That great tragedy of so many victims is still not acknowledged on the state level.

Elections in Belarus have not met OSCE requirements

                The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has deployed its election mission to Belarus on August 2 after receiving an invitation of the respective government. The Parliamentary Elections took place on September 11. On the press-conference the OSCE officials announced that despite efficiently Parliamentary election organization in Belarus, unfortunately, hardly any of previous OSCE recommendation has been fulfilled. There were several major remarks including the invisibility of campaign, ambiguity in assuring election process in appliance with OSCE standards by the constitutional and legal framework. There are restrictions on freedom of association and the media are restricted in its freedom of expression. 

Belarusian law targets Skype and Viber

             New decree allows Belarusian operators to block or stop the telecommunication and IP-traffic. Skype has already an agreement with the operators and there should not be any problem for its users. However, other messengers like Viber could not work if a person will try to use it in order to call to the landline or mobile phone (Viber Out). Using the messengers for the communication inside an application (ex. call from Viber to Viber) should not meet any obstacles. How exactly operators will use this change, clients of Skype and Viber will check after the decree comes into force on September 18, 2016.