To Belarus without visa

              The possibility of developing tourism in Belarus is growing. Until recently, a visa free movement was allowed only in Bialowierza forest, where foreigners did not need a visa for up to three days. Now the same system applies to the Augustow Canal, close to the one of the biggest Belarusian cities – Grodno. Foreigners can spend up to five days there without visa. However, the tendency of welcoming tourists might expand. There is a possibility that in a couple of months citizens of eighty countries could come to Belarus without visa. The only condition would be that they arrive at Minsk airport. 

   

Bialowierza Forest

Belarusian teacher is a new bureaucrat?

                 The education system in Belarus is getting more and more bureaucratic. Teachers in schools receive instructions from the Ministry of Education that looks good in theory, but cannot be applied in practice. The focus is on following instructions, but not on the content and quality of the knowledge. It seems like the new methodology has been developed without consideration of the human factors of teacher and students. Furthermore, teachers are asked to take care of the quality of the class room, its renovation, pay attention if the furniture complies with new laws, and is in line with new instructions.

               Is there any time left to teach students?

1984

           Archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church, Vsevolod Chaplin, openly stated in an interview that a murder of enemy - “state foe”, “fifth column” is legitimate by God. Later on, Chaplin supported the idea of the female circumcision, proposed by a mufti (Islamic scholar) in Dagestan. According to this inhuman idea women should not receive sexual pleasure; their role is to deliver children. The mufti refused this idea very fast, stating that actually this is not according to the Islam.

           When Orwell was writing his book “1984” did he predict the Russian future or does Russian ruling power creates the future according to the book?

In front of the entire planet

                It is crucial for Russia who will become the next US President from every angle. It is also not an enigma for the world that Russia would try to impact the outcome. Recent email leak of Democratic National Committee (DNC) revealing a preference for Hillary Clinton's campaign was commented by Barack Obama as possible action of Russian. The US foreign policy will change no matter who will be the President: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. However, Trump is more favourable for Russia as he likes Putin and his leadership and most probably would lift the sanctions. No doubt, Russia wants to see him as a leader of the first “enemy” country.

Games Russia plays

            The decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to not ban Russia from its participation in the Rio Games has been condemned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in particular. The IOC has chosen not to be linked to its decision but let it be solved at the level of the international federations. Despite the proof of four years state-sponsored doping program,  Russia will be represented at the Games.  Apparently, there is another power of decision making, not based on facts and justice. The IOC also denied the participation in Games of whistleblower Yulia Stepanova, discouraging whistleblowing in sport.

Russia: will The Olympic Mishka stay home?

               While International Olympic Committee (IOC) delays its decision on ban the participation of Russia in the Rio Games a tension is growing. However, there is no sign of guilt in Russia. Russian officials do not want to take collective responsibility, blaming athletes themselves despite the allegations of state-sponsored doping.  Whereas the sport community decides whether Russian sportsmen should be in Rio next month, is should consider the sportsmen from all over the world. Olympic Games is not only ground for community, international contacts but also arena of fairness and just. If one country has not played fair, should it be forgiven without any consequences? 

Pavel Sheremet: life that won't be replaced

            Recently, Belarusians were remembering the disappearance of the journalist Dmitry Zavadky in 2000. Sixteen years later there is still no evidence, no track of finding out what had happened to him. Today shocking news about death of  the Belarusian journalist, Pavel Sheremet, strengthen the acknowledgement of dangerous position of independent media and journalists in particular. Pavel Sheremet was killed by explosion of his car this morning in Kyiv. Ukrainian General Prosecutor states that it was a murder. Will this time justice find its way by exposing a perpetrator? There is always hope for good, nevertheless today Belarus and the region lost its prominent journalist. 

Source: charter97.org