Can I Get A Right?

Action at Museumplein, Amsterdam

2006-03-26T17:13:00.000+02:00

25th of March, 2006

"Night at the Museumplein

The activists on the Museumplein in Amsterdam are preparing for the night and move into their tents. In spite of the storm, the atmosphere among them is good. There are now 9 tents. Another manifestation is planned for the coming Monday, speeches and workshops are still welcome.

Of course we are still calling for you to join them. Let the Museumplein be filled with tents on Sunday! Take a mat and a sleeping bag with you."

(see also the announcement at the right sidebar of this page)

Images of demonstration yesterday at Ukrainian tv

2006-03-26T13:59:00.000+02:00

Click here (.wmv file)

Election day in Minsk, a report of a witness (one of the hitch hikers)

2006-03-26T13:04:00.000+02:00

"We are on our way to another demonstration to show our support with the oppressed in Belarus. This time we do not feel afraid like we did last Sunday in Minsk. We’re going to protest against the falsification of the Belarusian elections in Amsterdam. I realize that today we don’t have to fear the police. Last Sunday in Belarus we did.

On the day of the elections we were in Minsk. We were surprised that we were able to enter the country. A few minutes before we left Warsaw for Minsk we heard that our hitch-hiking campaign had been on Belarusian state television. We held a campaign for freedom of expression in Belarus in the Netherlands, Germany and Poland. They told a slightly different story that we were campaigning for Milinkevich along the road. We supposedly even caused a traffic jam! After this news we didn’t expect a warm welcome at the border. Our European Passports did make the border control nervous. However, they only looked at our luggage shallowly. Such a relief! Unfortunately this didn’t take long. After being in Minsk for almost one minute there were four police men standing in front of us. We acted like stupid tourists on their way to Ukraine. After some internal discussion in Russian, they let us go.

At first sight Minsk looks like every other city on Sunday morning. There are few people, it is quiet and only the McDonald's was open at eight o’clock in the morning. The big difference is the fact that there are twice as much “fur caps” as there are citizens. And of those citizens we did not know who was KGB and who was not. There were for example many cleaning people. I have to admit that Minsk is a clean city, but this looked suspicious. Or am I getting too paranoid? Luckily, the police didn’t bother us anymore. But we still had the feeling that we had to be really careful. Therefore we did not use words like Milinkevich, revolution, demonstration or Amnesty. It was a strange feeling that we had to keep quiet after 1, 5 week of protesting. We experienced the limited freedom of expression for ourselves. However, we only did during just one day...

A Belarusian guy told us in veiled words that he got sick of Luka’s regime and that he certainly would go to the demonstration. He expected a lot of people. He was happy that foreigners from all over Europe came to Minsk to show their support. The fact that he was constantly looking around while he was talking to us made clear that we weren’t the only ones who were scared. By coincidence we also met a German journalist who had actually seen our campaign on state television. He was quite sure that it was our action. He also showed us the message that all young Belarusians received of the government to warn them not to go to the demonstration. A free translation: “Foreign terrorists will plant bombs on the October square during the demonstration next Sunday. The police will react on everybody who demonstrates with flesh eating dogs and gas that will make you shit. All the demonstrators will be considered terrorists and can go to jail for fifteen years”. This made us really look forward to the demonstration! A foreign documentary maker told us about disturbances of the KGB. They tried to prevent her from finding a place to sleep. We also met a foreign Amnesty member who seemed less careful than we were. He dared to say a lot in the streets and bars. We were glad that he was back safe in Germany at the moment that so many people got arrested last Friday. Someone of the campaign team of an opposition candidate we met was really pissed off, since they menaced to completely delete the website of one of the opponents of Lukashenka.

At half past seven we gathered in front of a church to go all together to the demonstration at eight. Everybody was asked to enter the square at the same time to minimize the chance of police actions. Standing in front of the church we saw a scary amount of busses packed with police men driving by. Entering the square we already saw thousands of demonstrators. Until that moment we only met young opponents of Luka. Here we saw children, youngsters, grownups and elderly. It was really impressing. We planned to stay outside and only tape the demonstration. When we were there we could not do anything else than entering the demonstration. It seemed less dangerous to be inside, since the police stood aside. The atmosphere was so incredible that we wanted to stand in the middle. We thought that we could also show our support by joining the demonstration. The crowd kept growing and growing. There were ten thousands of protesters. They were carrying flags of ZUBR and Milinkevich, and the –forbidden- old Belarusian flag, while they were shouting Milinkevich’s name, ‘freedom’ and ‘long life Belarus’. There was a positive vibe and the situation did not get frightening or aggressive at any time.

We tried to get the whole demonstration on tape, which was hard at some times. We didn’t want to film the faces of the opponents. Since they might get them into trouble when our DVDs would be confiscated. For this reason we also tried to stay away from the police. Actually this wasn’t so hard, since the police was quiet invisible during the protest. Although we knew they were there. After a few hours in which we interviewed some demonstrators and filmed Milinkevich we left for the night train to Brest at the Polish border. At that moment our nerves returned. When they would see the images that we shot, we couldn’t say anymore that we were tourist that just passed by. I put the DVDs in my underwear and we headed off for the free world. At the station there was an incredible amount of policemen. Luckily they didn’t do anything. We slept well in the train and were ready for the border control in the train station in Brest.

In Bialystok we already cleaned out our bags and threw away things like jeans ribbons, Belarusian flags and leaflets with information of our campaign. At first sight they seemed quiet nice. However, the word ‘Minsk’ was a trigger to search our bags thoroughly. We had to show the images on our video camera. ‘Unfortunately’ the battery was low and he couldn’t see anything. Of course we already had hidden the DVDs. They looked really well for them; they even took some music cds to look whether there was some illegal material on it. While they were listening to David Bowie the images of the demonstration stayed in our bags. Meanwhile they found some interesting information about the campaign. Apparently we didn’t clean up to well… They thought it was interesting. They even took it to the back. At that time we didn’t feel so well. Luckily they came back in a positive mood. The woman who was still searching our backs wasn’t so sure, but she lost the discussion. Although they probably knew that we were campaigning for human rights they did let us leave the country. To me this seems a good sign.

I felt really relieved that we were back in a free country when we entered Poland. It is hard to imagine what Belarusian activists and Belarusians in general have to go through. We were only there for two days and we were really getting nervous of watching out for the police, keeping quiet and watching what to say and especially what not to say. Now we are back in The Netherlands. Tonight we are going to camp on a main square in Amsterdam to show our solidarity with the oppressed in Belarus. I am really glad that we can without fearing the police. I hope that Belarusians will also be able to do so really soon…"

Amnesty International: Detentions and beatings continue after elections

2006-03-23T12:35:00.000+01:00

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE

AI Index: EUR 49/003/2006 (Public)
News Service No: 072
22 March 2006

Belarus: Detentions and beatings continue after elections

Large numbers of peaceful demonstrators are being detained and beaten by riot police and anti-terrorist forces in Belarus in what appears to be an attempt to intimidate demonstrators, according to information obtained by Amnesty International.

108 people were detained on the night of 19 – 20 March and a further 20 were detained on 20 – 21 March, according to the Belarus human rights organization Vyasna. The detentions are continuing and no complete figures are available, but Vyasna estimates that in all 400 arrests may have taken place throughout the country.

“The Belarusian authorities have yet again demonstrated a total disregard for freedom of expression. All those that have been detained for the legitimate and peaceful expression of their views must be released immediately," said Heather McGill, Amnesty International’s researcher on Belarus.

Many of those detained are being held in police holding cells in Minsk where they face appalling conditions and are not allowed to receive parcels from relatives.

Many detentions are reportedly accompanied by beatings. Of particular concern are minors, who are not detained by police, but, after their age has been checked, are reportedly pushed from the buses in which other detainees are being held before being transported. Some allege that they suffer injuries as a result of being pushed from the buses. Alexander Kasko (17 years old) was reportedly beaten by police and then suffered a broken nose as he was pushed from a bus. He is currently being treated in hospital. His older brother Sergei Kasko has reportedly been given an unusually long sentence of 30 days, and human rights activists are concerned that this may have been done to avoid his injuries being seen. Many of the demonstrators are students who could face expulsion from their universities as a result of their participation.

Most of those detained are charged for administrative offences such as participation in unsanctioned meetings or hooliganism, which carry sentences of 10 to 15 days’ detention. According to Vyasna, on 21 March 65 people were sentenced in Minsk to three to 15 days for administrative offences.

There have also been a number of arrests of foreign observers. On 20 March, three Georgian citizens, Malkhaz Songulashvili, a baptist bishop, and two orthodox priests, Basil Kobakhidze, and Vladimir Gogiashvili were arrested at demonstrations in Minsk. They were reportedly deported late Tuesday night. A Polish parliamentarian, Yaroslav Yageilo, was detained by the KGB in Minsk and deported on 22 March. Two unofficial Estonian election observers, Erik Mora and Tarmo Lecht, were also arrested.

Amnesty International calls on the Belarusian authorities to release all those who have been detained for the legitimate and peaceful expression of their views. The organization also calls on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that international human rights standards are fully observed during policing operations, and that demonstrators are not subjected to beating or other forms of ill-treatment.

Background
According to official results President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was elected for a further five years with a majority of over 82 per cent on 19 March. The opposition claims that the elections were rigged and has called on the population to demonstrate calling for a re-run of the elections. The OSCE election observation mission has stated that the elections did not meet OSCE commitments and international electoral standards and that the “arbitrary abuse of state power, obviously designed to protect the incumbent President, went far beyond acceptable practice”.

Demonstrators have set up tents in October Square in Minsk and according to some estimates 10,000 people demonstrated on the night of the elections. Similar demonstrations are being held in other cities. Despite threats by the KGB chief that those participating in demonstrations after the elections on 19 March would be considered terrorists and could face the death penalty, the police have avoided open confrontation with the demonstrators on October Square in Minsk and are detaining people as they arrive and leave the square and charging them with administrative offences.

Public Document
****************************************
For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566
Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org

For latest human rights news view http://news.amnesty.org

This morning I was waken up by an sms

2006-03-20T09:39:00.000+01:00

SMS

@6:30 CET:
Any news? We are near Brest. An exciting border crossing. Soon no battery left. Grt.

A. phoned the two in Belarus yesterday evening

2006-03-20T09:36:00.000+01:00

"It was a wonderfull and big demonstration, the square was overfilled with people, my estimation would be well over 10.000, if not much more.

The atmosphere was good, people were chanting. It even looked like the official police force were very mildly oriented, and as if they were in the mood to participate in the chanting. Its tricky though, because they do watch your moves.

After 10 pm however the half maybe had left because of Milinkevichs call to peacefully leave the demonstation. He also asked the people to gather again tomorrow, and the following days. Milinkvichs did not have an easy job speaking, since there was no podium from which he could speak to the people nor any speakers or sound system. We then also left the demonstration. We are being carefull, especially of the men wearing 'bontmutsen'* ! So far we had no problem with them, but they do watch us. We will leave the country now and we will be heading home soon."

* due to the fact that he is speaking on his phone in public, he has to be careful and creative with words!

Phonecall from Belarus

2006-03-19T19:54:00.000+01:00

I received a telephone call. The connection was fine, but it was hard to understand the other. A lot of noise, shouting and whistling, at the background. Eventually the connection broke, but here is a summary:

6:53 PM CET:
"Square is completely full. In every corner there are people. The public, young and old, shout long live Belarus and cheer when one of the opposition candidates appear on a big screen. When this does not happen, people shout that Luka [Lukashenka] should leave. Different kind of flags are to be seen: white red white ones (old Belarusian one), Zubr flags (black with white bison on it), jeans flags and the now and then a flag with a black horse on it (Kozulin's flag)."

October Square

2006-03-19T19:14:00.000+01:00

6:15 PM CET
It is crowded at October square in Minsk. More than 3000 people have gathered. The ones we are in contact with are at the square as well.

7:40 PM CET
According to Charter97 more than 10 thousand people are at the square now. People are calling friends and relatives to join them in this protest.

Human Rights Center Viasna

2006-03-19T18:46:00.000+01:00

In order to be ahead of any blocking of its web site or hacker attacks, the human rights center Viasna started to provide news through its livejournal.

Babelfish translation of Viasna's mirror seems not to be working, unfortunately.

Message from "Hans"

2006-03-19T18:09:00.000+01:00

SMS

@ 5:00 PM CET:
"Here all campaigners of the opposition had been arrested. Perhaps tomorrow I'll be at the OSCE conference at hotel Belarus, starting at 3PM."

From Belarus

2006-03-19T17:24:00.000+01:00

SMS:

@ 4:20 PM CET:
Everything's ok. Battery level is low*1. Square is still empty. Many jeans*2 to be seen in Minsk.

*1. Don't worry. Battery is being recharged.
*2. Jeans are used as a symbol of protest. The jeans symbol derived from the action done by Zubr member Nikita Sasim whom I mentioned before. Nikita Sasim had made a flag out of his jeans shirt after policemen seized all flags during a protest rally "We Remember" on the 16th of September, 2005.

In the meanwhile, according to the website of Zubr its site is under attack of hacker attempts and that problems can arise when visiting the page.

It is impossible for users with a Belarusian IP to reach the official web site of opposition candidate Aleksandr Milinkevich and the news web site Charter97. One can get access to these websites through its mirrors: Milinkevich's mirror and Charter97's mirror.

Babelfish translation of Milinkevich's mirror site &
Babelfish translation of Charter97's mirror site.

The how careful should one be question

2006-03-19T11:07:00.000+01:00

Sometimes I just do not know whether it would be safe enough to write certain things down. I do not want to endanger people because they supported our action. Nor do I want to endanger anyone at this particular moment now tensions rise in the country neighbouring the European Union and Russia. Therefor I will not mention any names or use nick names.

Anyhow, the hitchhiking event had reportedly been mentioned in the Belarusian state media. It was said that we would call for a vote for Milinkevich and would have caused traffic jams as well.
I see that our event had been widely misunderstood in the Belarusian state media.

First of all, this event was not about voting for Mr/Mrs X or Y, but about human rights. It should be ok to not agree with your government and demonstrate against certain aspects peacefully. It should be ok to call for justice for people "disappeared" (see sidebar for more information). It should be ok to draw mocking cartoons about governmental figures and/or the president. It should be ok to join an organisation calling for democratic reform, justice and respect for human rights. That's all we asked for and all we struggle for.

Secondly, I haven't heard of any traffic jams caused by the hitch hikers.

(the whole article, translated from Belarusian into German, will be sent to me later)

Hitchhikers speak from BELARUS!

2006-03-19T10:25:00.000+01:00

Yes, you read it well. Even though this is not part of the action anymore, two hitchhikers went over the border into Belarus last night. I'm in contact with them and we are exchanging information about what is going on.

The first few hours were exciting. Having read that a Dutch politician was not allowed to enter the country at the Moldovan - Belarusian border as well as many others, it was crossing our fingers that they would let these two cross the border.

And to surprise you even more: one of the German fellow AI member was already in Belarus. Also from him I get news. I will call this German member "Hans" (oh, how original of me).

SMS

@11:10 PM CET:
We are at the Polish side of the border. I asked the ticket controler if it was allowed to do some filming. She agreed to that, but the border police thought differently. This was at the Polish side of the border. I guess I won't even try asking to film at the Belarusian side.

@ 0:00 Midnight CET:
Passport control at both sides of the border. Luggage had been searched through. Passports we got eventually back. Of course they had no idea how to write down my name and fancy machines such as the ones they have in the EU, they have not. The train is still not moving, but I believe I am going to sleep already. I've been told it can last another two hours. Good night.

@4:30 AM CET:
We just passed by Baranovicy. Border crossing was formality, although they have searched through everything. Belarus ("White-Russia") is indeed very white now. I can see more than a metre snow when I look outside.

Hans:
@9:30 AM CET:
There are many police officers. Especially at the October square. Crush-barriers are on it as well. Police is also undercover. An extreme high amount of cleaners! Above all things they look around. At the station we were stopped and our names were asked. For the rest, continuously the eyes are focussed on us.

Hitchhikers speak (7)

2006-03-18T22:10:00.000+01:00

J:
"It is already two days ago that we held our last campaign in Bialystok. On the 16th of March, the day of solidarity, we collected the last autographs for freedom of expression in Belarus. We did this next to a enormous inflatable candle and in the presence of many, many journalists of Polish newspapers, radio and television stations. In total we collected more than 1000 autographs , whicch we handed over to members of Amnesty International Belarus. We also gave them the 30 meter long petition of the Amnesty group in Bonn, since Belarusian embassies in Berlin and Warschau didn't want to have it. We closed our campaign with a great speech of A and W. It was really special to meet Belarusian people who take so much risk to defend human rights! It was strange that this campaign came to and end... I am really happy that I could be part of this event. I was heart warming to cooperate with so many people that take action for human rights in Belarus. Thank you all very much!!!"

Let this ending be a beginning

2006-03-17T22:56:00.000+01:00

Our hitch hiking event has ended. At half past 7 PM I got an sms from A saying that she and a few of the hitchhikers were on their way back to the Netherlands. She also wrote that, again, the Dutch national radio program Llink would have her on the air tonight. I haven't heard her, but as soon as I will have a link to the radio program I sure will put it on-line.

Well. So this was it then. Frozen toes, curious journalists, empty telephone batteries and a busy schedule kept us all busy these 10 days. I'd stayed home. Trying to inform the public about what was going on with the hitch hikers as good as possible and being able to keep my toes warm.

Our event came to an end. But the activist's flame is still burning. We will not quit fighting for a Belarus where human rights will be respected, before or after the upcoming presidential elections (19th of March).

And, who would have thought, the ending of this event became also a beginning. A beginning of a stronger connection and cooperation with fellow activists and friends.

Yes, our event came to an end, but not this weblog. There are still pictures to be sent in and stories to be told. Also, it is still possible to contact us for more information on this event and/or for more information on Belarus. We will be happy to cooperate.

For now I'd say, keep the candle burning and let hope not fade away!

NEWS BBC: Belarus opposition 'plans coup'

2006-03-16T16:00:00.000+01:00

(...)
Mr Sukhorenko told a news conference on Thursday: "We are obliged to announce that under cover of elections, a violent attempt to seize power is being planned in the country.

"The actions of those who take the risk of going into the streets to attempt to destabilise the situation will be viewed as terrorism.

"Brigades of volunteers are being formed in neighbouring states. The key moment will be the detonation of several explosions," he added.

Read the whole article here

Day 7: Warsaw Action in pictures

2006-03-16T13:12:00.000+01:00

Collecting signatures

Pictures of the "disappeared"

Day 4 & 5: And even more Berlin pictures

2006-03-16T12:12:00.000+01:00

Playing a Game of Goose. The original rules of this old Dutch obstacle board game had been modified to a dictatorial one. While on the original board game there is only one possibility to be put in jail, in this one there are several reasons to end up in jail, e.g. drawing a mocking cartoon about the Belarusian president Lukashenka or demonstrating peacefully against the current regime.

B imitates Zubr member Nikita Sasim who had made a flag out of his jeans shirt after policemen seized all flags during a protest rally "We Remember" on the 16th of September, 2005. The action "We Remember" is a reoccuring action calling for an investigation concerning the "disappeared". During the rally on the 16th of September Nikita Sasim was reportedly beaten by police officers and hospitalised where he was diagnosed with "craniocerebral trauma".

The Belarusian ambassador refused to accept the long petition from AI Bonn and proposed to send it by mail. A failed attempt by A to leave the petition in the mail box is shown on this picture.

Exchanging information of ... i have no clue. Guess phone numbers or so :)

Hitchhiking in the snow

L collecting signatures in Berlin

Day 4 & 5: more Berlin pictures

2006-03-16T12:09:00.000+01:00

Click here

Hitchhikers speak (6)

2006-03-16T12:05:00.000+01:00

J on the 14th of March:

"Today we hitch hiked from with Pieter and Minke from Warschau to Bialystok. The others stayed in Warsaw for a campaign at the Belarusian embassy. We took off earlier because we were invited to speak about the hitch hiking event at the law department of the university. The hitch hiking went really well. The four of us got a ride within 2 minutes! We were meeting each other half way in a little town to show our jeans solidarity with the oppressed in Belarus. We cut our jeans in pieces and gave these away to the inhabitants of this town. We did this to protest against violations of freedom of expression in Belarus. Afterwards we took some great pictures of us standing in the snow in our jeans shorts. Then we needed some real Polish Zubrovka Vodka. To Bialystok we again got a ride really easily. There we met some really nice members of Amnesty Bialystok, with whom we hope to have some great campaigns in the next days in this beautiful town…"

SPECIAL: A spontaneous decision

2006-03-13T23:58:00.000+01:00

D (20) and R (21) are two students of political science from Poznan, where R is the chairman of a small Amnesty International group. Because of this they have been waiting for the Can I get A Right – tour to arrive in their hometown. When they met the first couples, they spontaneously decided to join the action.

D explains why:
"This action could help democracy in Belarus. I know one person from there, he’s living in Poznan. Two weeks ago he was in his country, supporting the struggle for free elections. He told me that people over there are very grateful for supportive actions taking place abroad. I’m not an Amnesty member myself, but I do think the Can I Get A Right-thing supports the amnesty ideals."

What does he think of the fact that Dutch students are protesting all the way to Poland against the situation in Belarus?
"I admire this very much. I don’t think I could do it. In general I do think Poles are more aware of what’s happening than Dutch people. This is because of the proximity of the country –there are a lot of cross-border contacts- and Polands experience with dictatorship in the recent past."

Last but not least, how did D enjoy the hitch-hiking?
"At first we had to wait two hours. After we that we received a direct ride from Poznan to Warszawa from an attractive young woman. She was very much interested and supportive towards the idea of hitch-hiking towards the border of freedom. For me personally the best thing was to meet new people and to be part of a bigger event."

Hitchhikers speak (5)

2006-03-13T23:49:00.000+01:00

C and S:
"The experience of hitch-hiking is really unique. Though it’s cold and sometimes wet (especially untill Poznan) it's a nice way of travelling. We met many people, even a Belarusian in a little blue car who gave us a ride, and was really sympathetic. He drove really slowly, so we met him three times on the way to Warsaw. We were very lucky. On the first day somebody even offered us to drive to Berlin (from the Netherlands). Just superspontaneously! He brought us to Hannover to spare our time in the bad weather."

J and R:
"Most drivers who gave us a ride had a personal interest in human rights (for example a former soldier from the DDR (German Democratic Republic, former "East Germany") who was stationed at the border in 1987 and succesfully fled to the West), but also quite many who felt sorry for us, hitch-hiking during winter. Even with a polarproof jacket, two woolen sweaters, three t-shirts and a bottle of wodka (at 10.00 am) it was often impossible to stay warm. Twice we were even offered money for coffee to de-freeze a bit.
Our worst experience: A Polish guy gave us a ride from Berlin to a place in the neighbourhood of Poznan. Because of heavy snow, the roads were totally iced. Not seeming to notice he just drove on, slipping from the left to the right side of the road. After hearing about the action, he started a pro-Lukashenka rant of at least an hour, in Polish, only pausing at the border by a loud cursivication through the open window at the policemen working there. We promissed him a bottle of wodka and three packages of Marlboro and were shaking but safely dropped off at a gass station."

W and J:
"A great demonstration in Warsaw today. In a march we went through the city where we stopped at a couple of places where we let people vote for freedom of speech in Belarus. Collected more than 50 voting ballots today, because the Polish people easily signed for the freedom of expression in Belarus.
It was very cool as well to get the fiat from Amnesty Germany to offer the longest petition of Germany to the embassy of Belarus in Berlin. Of course they didn’t accept it but the conversation with the ambassador and the consul was worthwhile.
Furthermore from Poznan there were also two Polish guys hitchhiking along to Warsaw where they participated in our campaign."

DAY 4 & 5: Berlin in pictures

2006-03-13T11:21:00.000+01:00

Hitchhikers speak [4]

2006-03-12T17:51:00.000+01:00

Two of our participants opened a weblog themselves writing down their experiences in Dutch:
Zachtgeel (C's weblog), and;
Superrstefff (S' weblog).

[UPDATE:] Publicity [5]

2006-03-12T16:27:00.000+01:00

As stated on the 11th of March on this weblog, the activists were on the Dutch national radio again in the program Llinke Soep.

You can listen to it via this link. Scroll forward to about 36 minutes and 50 seconds and you will hear A on the phone for about three minutes.

Publicity! [6] and a word of thanks

2006-03-12T15:58:00.000+01:00

The Civil Initiative We Remember thanked us for what we do. In an e-mail they let us know that our support means a lot to them and that it gives them the belief that one day justice will prevail. On their web site items are dedicated to our event: start of our action, Bonn action, photosession of the Bonn action.

The on-line Eastern European magazine Plotki also dedicated an article to our event. Other articles include reports on the human rights situation, a pre-election diary from an AI-activist in Gomel and a presentation of the Belarusian Carton Project Multclub, have a look at their web site.

Hitchhikers speak (2)

2006-03-11T16:31:00.000+01:00

I received two sms's today:

W:
"After the action in Berlin we were standing up to our knees in the snow. We just passed the Oder and an old border post. Now we are drinking Polish beer in Slubice. Of course because we are tourists we've paid some more money for the beer than the locals would have. Although this also depends on the currency rate of the Singaporean dollar.
A man from the east of Germany informed us about the local problems and then we noticed how close we were getting to the Polish border and that we passed "the border" between east and west. Greetings, W."

J:
"At the moment we are in a Polish pub melting the ice of our feet. I am very curious to know how our actions will be going in Poland. In Germany we've been received tremendously. It is heartwarming to see that there are so many people fighting for respect for human rights in Belarus. Now, we are going back into the snow to head for Poznan. Love, J."

NEWS: EU threatens sanctions on Belarus if vote rigged

2006-03-11T11:45:00.000+01:00

EU Threatens Sanctions On Belarus If Vote Rigged

March 10, 2006 -- The European Union today threatened to impose further sanctions on Belarus if the March 19 presidential elections is rigged. More at Radio Free Europe.

Publicity! (5)

2006-03-11T11:05:00.000+01:00

First of all:

Yesterday (10th of March) the activists were on the Dutch national radio again in the program Llinke Soep.

[Update:] You can listen to it via this link. Scroll forward to about 36 minutes and 50 seconds and you will hear A on the phone for about three minutes.

Digihitch, a hitch hiking website, did that as well.

In a post by "grandesophie", a member of the Hospitality Club, mentioned the hitch hiking event. A few people reacted to it.

The event has also been put in the Dutch Action agenda, section Peace.

Late February the action had also got some attention from the Belarusian news source Charter97.

On these German sites, Jugendpresse Club, and, Jugendnetz, the event is mentioned as well.

More pictures of DAY 2: Bonn action

2006-03-11T10:56:00.000+01:00

Find them here.

En Route

2006-03-11T10:37:00.000+01:00

Hitch hiking is not only about luck of finding a driver willing to offer you a ride, but also about baring the cold during the day, as well during the night:

The sign reads also: "(It is very cold!)"

"I wished I was hitch hiking in Kenia" activist B must have thought.

A driver offering a ride in a - I bet - warmed-up car.

DAY 2: A long petition list in pictures

2006-03-11T09:56:00.000+01:00

First of all I would like to apologise for not having been able to update the weblog earlier. The blog server was experiencing some difficulties. That has been solved, so also I am back on track!

Secondly, I've been sent some pictures of DAY 2: the action in Bonn. Our fellow human rights activists from Germany had created a long petition list which - if spread out - took the length of the Münster Platz. Also, attention was given to the four missing persons (in the right sidebar you will find the pictures of these "disappeared").*

Amnesty International calls for respect for Human Rights in Belarus

The long petition list

It's really long

Our activists holding the petition list

Attention for the "disappeared"*

*Amnesty International considers that a "disappearance" has occured when there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person has been taken into custody by state agents, yet the authorities deny the victim is held, thus concealing the victim's whereabouts and fate and placing the victim outside the protection of the law. The word is placed in inverted commas by Amnesty International to indicate that it does not accept official explanations that these people have simply vanished.
Amnesty International only uses the term "disappearance" for cases which fit this definition and involve government forces. Amnesty International opposes "disappearances" in all cases.

More pictures of DAY 1: Amsterdam action

2006-03-10T18:46:00.000+01:00

Find them here.

Publicity (4)

2006-03-07T23:29:00.000+01:00

The Dutch news papers Parool and Trouw published some nice articles about DAY 1 (6th of March). With some big sized pictures they must have attracted some attention of the Dutch public, I believe.

The Dutch news paper Metro published a photo of the start of this event in its Amsterdam edition.

The Dutch weblogs Houtlust and Kozia Górka dedicated both one of its articles to this action.

Hitchhikers speak (1)

2006-03-07T10:07:00.000+01:00

A:
"Are you hitchhiking to Belarus, you end up in an ural truck at Dam Square - sitting in the front seat, you open some sort of astronaut-flap where you can stand up and wave to the bewildered people on Dam Square... NOT BAD!!!
Even though it was a bit of trouble at first, with four persons in the front of the truck, while you (and your luggage, and your hitchhiking partner, and two wonderful drivers - who came all the way from Goes for this action) try to sit in a way that the driver can still switch gears between your legs without yelling a sincere 'sorry!, sorry!' and get through the chaotic traffic of Dam Square wonderfully - slowly and rattling towards the highway.
That was memorable, as was the support from the people at Dam Square, whether they were politicians or not. Almost more beautiful was a college buddy who came over especially to wish me good luck... I didn't vote for the local government -- other things to do."

W:
"It was very surprising to see that, after several months of organizing and calling people, we were completely swamped with calls ourselves. Trouw, Parool, BNN, Llink, Wereldomroep, Amsterdam City FM, ANP... they were all there on Dam Square. Last minute, Marijke Vos, of the political party GroenLinks (GreenLeft) came to speak some encouraging words en of course the speech and start shot of Ahmet Aboutaleb were indispensable. But some indispensable things were changed at the last moment to something else: I would have loved to hitchhike with these stunning motorcycles, but the alternative - a parade with a horse and carriage of Koetstaxi, with a reporter of BNN in the back wasn't bad either.
Furthermore, we could finally lie back after months of preparation.
Personally, I could really appreciate the man who gave us our last ride and wouldn't stop telling far-fetched stories and then eventually dropped us right in front of the door. He took a major detour for us! Detail: it was not in front of the right door, so I still had to a lot of rummaging around to do. Especially with my sense of direction."

D:
"Today, the first day of this hitchhiking action started and I had the honor to be the host of the finish of the first day. All the students who cared about the situation in Belarus arrived at my home at the end of the day. Some of them arrived early, others arrived just before midnight.
What a night it was... I am sure that you will not imagine this when you picture a group of human right activist. Let me give you some insight information on what these human right activist represent. How to put this in to words? Well, let me say: a bottle of martini, a bottle of port, a bottle of tequilla and a bottle of vodka do not satisfy their needs... Conversation topics covered all areas of politics, but also experimental sex... Food ranges between chinese take-away and home-made tiramisu... Languages vary from spanish, to english, to dutch... And so on....
All together: i cannot say otherwise then 'this action rocks'!. The people who participate in this action care about their world, and even more important: the world of other people. They put the best interest of others first. They give up their right to education so other people can enjoy their right to freedom of opinion. Respect!
I have met many human right defenders throughout my time in Amnesty and I must say these people fulfill all the requirements: they care, they live, and they enjoy.... Once again: respect!
To all the hitchhikers in this competition: keep up the good work. You'll have my respect, and you'll have all the best wishes I can give to you. May you get through the competition and may all the Belarushians enjoy their right to freedom and therefore enjoy the human rights they reserve...

I am very grateful to be a part of this action as it resembles all I stand for...."

M:
"There's this vodka that burns down your throat; this one does not."
...
"We finished a bottle of Martini and a bottle of Tequilla, only a bottle of
vodka to go and we're through."
...
"Now we are well prepared for Belarus"

Publicity! (3)

2006-03-07T09:57:00.000+01:00

March 6th, 06:30 PM:
Dutch National Radio 2 interviewed A. Listen to the interview in Dutch here.

DAY 1: Alderman Ahmed Aboutaleb opens the hitch hiking event to Belarus

2006-03-07T00:04:00.000+01:00

March 6th, 02:00 - 04:00 PM

Alderman Ahmed Aboutaleb (Labour Party) opens the event.

Marijke Vos (GreenLeft) joins our campaign at Dam square.

People could vote for freedom of speech in Belarus

Karos Koetstaxi offered us a few kilometres ride

Our target to reach Belarus gets a bit closer thanks to this "fietstaxi"

Publicity! (2)

2006-03-03T01:21:00.000+01:00

Our action attracted the attention of this portal in Latvia!

NEWS: Georgian MPs Refused in Belarus Elections Monitoring Process

2006-03-03T00:23:00.000+01:00

Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security Givi Targamadze said on March 2 that the Belarus authorities have refused to let the Georgian side observe the presidential elections in the country, scheduled for March 19.

Read more @ Civil.ge

BREAKING NEWS: Belarus opposition candidate beaten and detained

2006-03-02T22:52:00.000+01:00

MINSK - While Alexander Kozylin attempted to register for a mass gathering of delegates to be addressed by the president he got beaten and detained by Belarussian security forces on Thursday.

Officers tried to stop journalists from filming the incident and scuffles broke out. A Reuters television correspondent was beaten and injured.

A spokeswoman for Kozylin, former rector of Belarussian State University, said the 50-year-old candidate was being held in a Minsk police station.

"He has been beaten up quite badly. We don't know what his status is at the moment," Nina Shidlovskaya said by telephone.

Dozens of Kozylin supporters later gathered outside the police station to demand his release. Police also bundled about 20 protesters into a bus and took them away.

Several journalists were briefly forced inside the station.

The main opposition candidate, Alexander Milinkevich, issued a statement denouncing the police action against Kozylin, saying the elections had now degenerated into a "farce".

"The authorities are panicked and afraid of democratic elections," he said. "They clearly understand that they are unable to win a democratic contest and are therefore resorting to breaking the law and repression of their opponents."

Milinkevich was due to hold an illegal rally in central Minsk later on Thursday. He has said he will not incite Belarussians to unrest but has not ruled out protests if the election is proved to be rigged.

THE MAKING OF: Goose Board (Berlin action)

2006-03-02T22:48:00.000+01:00

Tape and rope, but what kind?

2006-03-02T10:20:00.000+01:00

Lesson 1: how to drive someone crazy?

Suzanne says: And? Getting crazy already?
Joost says: uhm, sometimes. You think it will work out concerning the tape and rope?
Suzanne says: Tape/rope?
Joost says: uhm, yes?
Suzanne says: What kind?
Joost says: Gee….
Suzanne says: I mean, for what?
Joost says: Rope: to tie up things. Tape: to tape something
Suzanne says: Doh. But how big and strong they should be?
Joost says: Do what you think is best.
Suzanne says: (see picture) This one?
Joost says: Hm, yes. We would like to fasten an anchor to it.
Suzanne says: Haha, I thought so
Joost says: The brakes of the car we just don’t trust.
Suzanne says: Ok, but you need one to tie things up, right? How much do you need?
Joost says: Not very much, it’s just handy to have some.
Suzanne says: And tape,… small tape or bigger one?
Joost says: Whatever you think is right. Toss a coin.
Suzanne says: I’m going to copy and paste this conversation on to the weblog. I warn you!
Joost says: k
Suzanne says: Haha. You’re mean! I’ll go for the small tape and I do not wish any negative comments about them after the event.
Joost says: Hehe, ok
Suzanne says: Deal. And I’m really adding this conversation to the weblog.
Joost says: I’m confident that when this event will fail because of the wrong rope you got, that it will be enough punishment for you when your conscience will endeavour an everlasting pain due to this.
Suzanne says: Haha

Publicity! (1)

2006-02-28T11:15:00.000+01:00

The Dutch Metro (an in public transport free distributed news paper) interviewed one of our participants: Anna Kogut.

Below you will find a translation of the article called "Eén minuut" ("One Minute") by Erik Jonk.

A: student and volunteer for Amnesty International
www.canigetaright.org

The Amnesty International Student group of Amsterdam is busy planning an international hitch hiking event to Belarus.

At the 16th of March, three days before the elections will take place overthere, they would like to address the severe violations of human rights in the last dictatorship of Europe.

◗ There is no train transport to the country?
◗ ◗ This time, for once, we won't go with public transport! We chose hitch hiking in order to be able to reach many people and make clear to them how severe the human rights situation is in this country bordering the European Union.

◗ What's wrong in this country?
◗ ◗ Several things. Critics disappear, opponents are sent to labour camps, protesters are put into administrative detention and excessive police violence and torture are not excluded; there is no independent media, in short: a dictatorship.

◗ Do you work together with other students from other countries?
◗ ◗ German and Polish students within Amnesty are very active on Belarus. Our other aim with this hitch hiking event is to visit these groups in order to establish a long-term cooperation.

◗ You have a shortage of men... Explain to us!
◗ ◗ Surprisingly more adventurous women will join our event than men, ha! We would like to solve this problem to ask politicians - tradtionally often male - to offer us a ride. Call it a carpool for Belarus. By the way, we will be able to connect each hitch hiker to someone else.

An action on Belarus, but why?

2006-02-26T05:33:00.000+01:00

Undemocratic
The current president of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenka, has been in power since 1994. Even though elections have occurred, these are flawed and do not comply with the standards set by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation Europe (OSCE). Opposition candidates and campaign volunteers have been incarcerated for political reasons and the state media either put them in a bad picture or neglect them. Last year, president Lukashenka organised a referendum to ensure that he could run for president even after having served two terms.

"Disappearances"
Since 1999 and 2000, four critics of the regime have "disappeared". The government has displayed a lack of interest to investigate the various cases, and some clous point in the direction of involvement by the regime in the disappearances of the four. Cameraman Zavadsky, the entrepreneur Krasovsky, and opposition leaders Gonchar and Zacharenka have left their families in great uncertainty. Even now, six years later, in spite of repression of manifestations, the four people are commemorated monthly in public by the civil initiatives "We Remember" and "Solidarity16".

Press freedom
Independent media are scarce. The state has several ways to cope with critical newspapers: for example, critique can be viewed as an insult to the president. Once a newspaper is declared illegal, distributing these can be followed by arrests.

Freedom of Association
Manifestations and actions against the regime can lead to fines and incarceration. Even for such a small thing a wearing a mask of president Lukashenka, people can be imprisoned for several years. When people do demonstrate, they risk a violent arrest by the OMON, the special forces.

By organising events in Amsterdam, Bonn, Berlin, Warsaw en Bialystok we try to visualise the current human rights situation in this East European country.

It is possible to participate with the human rights activists in this hitch hiking event or to take down interviews with one of the participants. For more information, contact us at canigetaright@gmail.com.