General Assembly criticizes human rights abuses in Belarus 21 December 2006
Acting
on reports of torture in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),
harassment of journalists and failure to hold free elections in Belarus, and
intimidation of human rights workers and political opponents in Iran, the
General Assembly has called on all three States to immediately end such
abuses.
Belarus launches the Global Compact Initiative 20 December 2006 | UNDP
Over 170
participants representing business, government, civil society organizations and
media launched the Global Compact in Minsk, Belarus today. During the event, 26
Belarusian companies collectively committed to the principles and working
jointly on establishing a local Global Compact chapter.
International Organization for Migration – 10 years in Belarus 18 December 2006
On the International
Migrants Day, which is traditionally observed on December 18th, Mission of the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Republic of Belarus
celebrates its 10th anniversary. The IOM Mission in Minsk was opened in 1996.
The Agreement on cooperation between the Belarusian Government and the IOM was
ratified in 1999. In November 2005 Belarus became a full-fledged member of the
Organization.
Prospects of bio-energy development in Belarus are more optimistic due to UNDP Project 06 December 2006 | UNDP
Technical, economic, environmental, financial, legislative and social
aspects of large-scale utilization of wood-waste fuel was in the focus of a
thematic forum held yesterday in Minsk. The workshop “National Plan on Providing
Sustainable Development of Bio-Energy and Dissemination of the Project
Activities Results” was arranged under the UNDP and the Global Environment
Facility project “Biomass Energy for Heating and Hot Water Supply in
Belarus”.
Address by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, at the Biomass Workshop 05 December 2006 | UNDP
"<...>wood biomass is considered by the international
community an environmentally much friendlier alternative to another domestic
fuel targeted by the Belarusian Government – peat. The experience of UNDP
worldwide clearly indicates that extraction of this non-renewable source of
energy not only threatens landscape and biological integrity, but also leads to
huge carbon dioxide emissions."
2nd December – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 02 December 2006
Slavery does still exist today in its ancient forms such as forced labour and servitude. Furthermore, it is quite recently that society has had to face modern type of slavery – trafficking in human beings. Labour and sexual exploitation is turning to be one of the most profitable spheres of transnational crime, along with arms and drug trafficking. The profits from trafficking in human beings are estimated to come to about 10 billion dollars annually.
Experts share experience in dealing with border security issues 01 December 2006 | UNDP
Cross-border character of international organized crime demands new
coordinated approaches of border and law enforcement agencies of European states
and international organizations. This was the main thesis of a three-day
international conference “Ensuring Border Security in the Context of Modern
Challenges and Threats to the System of International Security” which was closed
yesterday in Minsk.
The problem of HIV/AIDS in prisons is in the spotlight of international conference 27 November 2006 | UNAIDS
Providing all Belarusian citizens with appropriate medical treatment is
currently among the basic tasks of HIV prevention. This was the main thesis of
the 3rd International scientific practice conference “Acute Problems of
Penitentiary Medicine. HIV/AIDS in Prisons” held on 23-24 November in
Minsk.
19 new projects approved within CORE Programme 20 November 2006 | UNDP
19
projects have been upheld by the Approval Board (AP) of the CORE (Cooperation
for Rehabilitation) International Programme at its sitting held on 16 November
in Stolin of the Brest region. Altogether 124 projects worth about EURO 9.0
million have been approved since the beginning of the Programme
implementation.
Professionals and representatives of civil society discussed medical and social aspects of HIV-infection 13 November 2006 | UNAIDS
The Third
National Conference entitled “Medial and Social Aspects of HIV-infection,
Parenteral Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections” was held last
Friday in Minsk. The conference is a joint effort of the Belarusian Ministry of
Health and the National Center of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health with
support from UNDP Project “Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS in the Republic
of Belarus”.
Address of Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, at the 3rd National HIV/AIDS Conference, 10 November 2006, Minsk 10 November 2006 | UNDP
"I feel privileged and delighted to be opening this conference today which
gathered nearly 250 participants from different regions of Belarus. For me, it
is another proof that Belarus gives priority to the issues of HIV prevention and
treatment and to the health issues of its population in general. As many of you
know, Belarus is lucky not to be one of the high prevalence countries in the
region, but it is still at a high risk due to its geographical position and
intensive movement of the population."
2006 Global Human Development Report launched in Minsk 09 November 2006 | UNDP
The 2006 Global Human Development Report was presented to the Belarusian public today at the National Press Centre in Minsk. The presentation was part of the global launch of the Report in Cape Town, South Africa, and other major capitals. The title of the Report is “Beyond scarcity: Power, poverty and the global water crisis."
New signatories join the CORE Programme Declaration of Principles 02 November 2006 | UNDP
For the past several days, three new entities have become
signatories of the Declaration of Principles on the CORE Programme (Cooperation
for Rehabilitation): a private enterprise “Institute of Radiation Safety
“BELRAD”, the Mogilev and Gomel regional executive committees.
Minsk hosted the International conference on combating trafficking in human beings 27 October 2006
International conference on combating trafficking in human beings, devoted
to strengthening cooperation between source and destination countries on how to
reduce demand for trafficked persons, took place in Minsk on 26–27 October,
2006.
UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus visits Stolin 20 October 2006 | UNDP
Ms Cihan Sultanoglu paid a working visit to the town of Stolin (Brest
region). Ms Sultanoglu had a meeting with the head of the Stolin district
executive committee Alexei Demko to discuss preparation and holding of a PAC
regular sitting scheduled for 15 November in Stolin, and implementation of CORE
projects in the Stolin district.
UN focuses on the right of people with disabilities for a decent life 19 October 2006 | UNDP
Securing
the right of persons with disabilities for employment is an inalienable
prerequisite of the poverty prevention in this social group. This was
the main thesis under discussion at a round table sitting for mass media held
today at the educational technology hall of the National library of
Belarus.
World Investment Report 2006 presented in Belarus 16 October 2006
Minsk
hosted a presentation of the World Investment Report 2006 prepared by the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The topic of the Report is
“Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Developing and Transition Economies:
Implications for Development”.
UNDP contributes to sustainable development of the Belavezhskaya Pushcha region 15 October 2006 | UNDP
The potential for the
development of agro-tourism and eco-tourism in the Belavezhskaya Pushcha region
of south-east Belarus has been significantly strengthened by the implementation
of the UNDP project “Environmentally Sustainable Development in the
Belavezhskaya Pushcha Region: Combining Protected Area Management with Rural
Sustainability”.
Hydrological regime of Osveiskoe peatbog will be restored 13 October 2006 | UNDP
The restoration of the natural hydrological regime of the Osveiskoe peat bog that had been damaged as a result of peat extraction will become one of the key activities under the Osveiski preserve’s new management plan. Yesterday the town of Verkhnedvinsk in the Vitebsk region hosted a seminar on the plan’s preparation.
Professor Lars O. Kallings, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe 04 October 2006 | UNAIDS
From 2 to
4 October 2006 UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Eastern
Europe Professor Lars O. Kallings (Sweden) paid a high level advocacy visit to
Belarus. Professor Kallings expressed his satisfaction with the progress
achieved by Belarus in the area of HIV and AIDS prevention. The Special Envoy
underlined that Belarus can serve as an example of a comprehensive and
sustainable response to the epidemic-related challenges in the
region.
Anti-AIDS motor rally launched in Belarus 02 October 2006 | UNDP
On 30
September, a campaign titled “Motor Rally: Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise” was
launched at the main entrance to the Gorky Park in Minsk. The special motorized
campaign is part of the UNDP project “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment in the
Republic of Belarus” that is implemented in cooperation with the Health Ministry
and with the financial support of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Let us create a society for all ages 28 September 2006
The United Nations General Assembly designated 1 October the International Day of Older Persons on 14 December 1990. By definition of the UN Statistical Bureau, an “older person” is a person, who reached the age of 60 or older.
Human Rights Council discusses reports on situation of human rights in Sudan and Belarus 27 September 2006
27
September 2006 the Human Rights Council discussed the reports of its Special
Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights in the Sudan and in Belarus, and
then took up the report of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights.
Anti-AIDS motor rally starts in Minsk 21 September 2006 | UNDP
An action “Motor rally “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise” will be launched on Saturday, 30 September at 17.00 at the main entrance to the Gorky Park in Minsk. The action is carried out within the UNDP project “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment in the Republic of Belarus”.
International Literacy Day is celebrated around the world on 8 September 08 September 2006
In 2006 the International Literacy Day is celebrated for the 40th time. The Day was proclaimed by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) in 1966 by the recommendation of the World Education Ministers Conference on Eradication of Illiteracy, which was held in September 1965 in Teheran. 8 September is the day of solemn opening of the Conference.
UN Office hosts a presentation of the second Environmental Performance Review of Belarus 08 September 2006
The Review
contains analysis of the current situation with environmental management and
recommendations for addressing the most pressing environmental issues in
Belarus, with due respect to the economic and social development. The objective of the Review is to assess the progress made by Belarus in environmental management since 1997 when the first review took place.
The UNFPA State of World Population Report 2006 focuses on international migration 06 September 2006
Young people attending the Minsk presentation told their stories of Belarusian youth migration. The stories covered many cases: illegal work abroad; a dream to marry abroad and its accomplishment results; study abroad with the goal to receive complementary education; life of foreigners, including foreign students, refugees, immigrants’ children in Belarus.
Statement by Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNFPA Representative, at the launch of UNFPA State of World Population Report 2006, Minsk, 6 September 2006 06 September 2006
"To many of us, a migrant face is a man; however, for more then 40 years,
the number of female migrants has been nearly equal to the number of men who
migrate. The report points out that migration can contribute to the positive
social and economic empowerment of women. On the other hand, domestic work and
entertainment – the most vulnerable and exploitative service sectors that
attract majority of women migrants – make them subject to discrimination and
abuse, including human trafficking."
UNDP and EU continue to support Belarus in enhancing border management 04 September 2006 | UNDP
A
new joint project of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) “Enhancing the System of Immigration Control at the State
Border of the Republic of Belarus” (BOMBEL-2) will be launched in Belarus in
September. The BOMBEL-2 programme is to be implemented within 16
months.
UNDP project announces a contest on best PR action in Belarus rural areas 17 August 2006
Belarus launches a contest on national best PR action in regional and district centers on the topic “Family is My Protection from HIV”. The contest is carried out under the project “Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS in Belarus” jointly implemented by the UNDP and the Ministry of Health of Belarus.
CENTRalized struggle for youth health in Belarus 14 August 2006
By
the end of 2006 preparation for opening Youth Health Centers in all Belarus’
regions will have been completed. By today 4 centers have been opened in Gomel,
Mogilyov, Grodno and Soligorsk. They will be followed by new centers in Borisov,
Vileika, Zhodino, Molodechno and Slutsk scheduled for opening in
September.
UNFPA: youth sickness rate has increased in Belarus 01 August 2006
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), youth sickness rate has surged by 30.9 per cent for the past 10 years. In UNFPA view, taking into account Belarus’ population reduction by 49.9 thousand people in 2005, youth reproductive health rate has an impact on the national demographic situation, in particular.
Europe and the CIS Regional MDG Report presented in Minsk 25 July 2006
The UN Office in
Belarus hosted a presentation of the report “National Millennium Development
Goals: a Framework for Action” prepared by the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe
and the CIS (RBEC) with the assistance of the UNDP regional country offices. The
report reviews the progress in 32 Central and Eastern European and the CIS
countries and territories in achieving the nationally adopted Millennium
Development Goals.
Exhibition on UNRRA Mission in Belarus opened in Minsk 21 July 2006
On 20 July 2006 the
Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War hosted opening
an exhibition “UNRRA Mission in Belarus in 1946-1947”, jointly organized by the
Museum and the United Nations Office in Belarus under support of the United
States of America Embassy in Belarus.
UNICEF proposes to adopt a bill on universal consumption of iodized salt in Belarus 12 July 2006
While
participating in a round-table discussion on the programme of elimination of
iodine deficit-related diseases, the UNICEF Assistant Representative in
Belarus Branislav Jekic introduced an initiative on adopting a bill on universal
consumption of iodized salt in the country.
World Population Day 2006 focuses on young people 11 July 2006
“This day is neither New Year eve nor birthday – the holidays which
everybody is attached to, looks forward to and celebrates in the family circle.
This is a day which accumulates the past year problems and sharpens the
long-standing issues that are yet to be responded to. This year focuses on
values of the youth”.
The 11th International Summer University of UNESCO Clubs opened near Minsk 10 July 2006
An
official ceremony of opening the 11th International Summer University of UNESCO
clubs was held in Zhdanovichi, Minsk region. This year about 100 representatives
of UNESCO clubs from Belarus, Russia and Latvia will participate in the
University activities.
UNDP Project strengthens Belarus' capacities in poverty assessment and reduction 04 July 2006 | UNDP
A
step forward in addressing poverty reduction in Belarus was taken on 30 June in
Minsk at a concluding meeting reviewing the results of the UNDP project
“Assisting in Elaborating the Basic Foundation for a National Poverty Reduction
Strategy in Belarus”.
UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme to fund five NGO projects 30 June 2006 | UNDP
A signing
ceremony for the first five contracts to be funded in Belarus through the
GEF/UNDP Small Grants Programme was held today in the UNDP Office in Belarus.
The Small Grants Programme was officially launched in Belarus in summer
2005. The Programme envisages allocating grants up to USD 50,000 to
non-governmental and community-based organizations dealing with the environment
protection issues.
Regional conference on strengthening law-enforcement cooperation started in Minsk 28 June 2006 | UNDP
A
three-day regional conference “Interaction of Law Enforcement Agencies in
Combating Drugs Trafficking” started today in Minsk. The workshop participants
will discuss legislative and practical aspects of carrying out domestic and
international undercover operations, controlled deliveries, and analysis and
information exchange.
On-Line conference on drugs was held on 26 June 26 June 2006 | UNDP
A
lot has been said and written about the problem of drug addiction. There are
numerous public and charitable organizations in the world drawing the public
attention to this issue. Unfortunately, the number of drug addicts is still
increasing. The main consumers of narcotics are young people lacking richness
and fullness of life, extreme feelings and impressions,
self-expression.
Poverty reduction seminars started in Belarus 16 June 2006 | UNDP
A series of regional seminars entitled “The Main Directions of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy in Belarus” started yesterday in Gomel.
UNDP/GEF launch new large scale project on wetland biodiversity conservation 08 June 2006 | UNDP
Belarus’ capacity to conserve wetland biodiversity in its network of wetland reserves will be significantly increased thanks to a new large–scale project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).
Rural tourism guidebook issued by UNDP 26 May 2006 | UNDP
A
booklet “Leisure in a Village House in the Close Vicinity of the Belavezhskaya
Puscha” was designed within the framework of the UNDP project entitled
“Environmentally Sustainable Development in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha
Belarus-Poland Region: Combining Protected Area Management with Rural
Sustainability” which has been implemented in Belarus since 2004.
Belarus remembers victims of AIDS 19 May 2006 | UNDP
Starting
from 1983 the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is marked every year on
the third Sunday of May in more than 85 countries. On 19 May the youth
informational and educational consulting room on HIV/AIDS on the premises of the
AIDS prevention department of the National Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and
Public Health hosted a press-conference on the occasion of the International
AIDS Candlelight Memorial.
Special Rapporteur on situation of human rights in Belarus demands release of political prisoners, urges dialogue with civil society and political opposition 02 May 2006
The Special Rapporteur on
the situation of Human Rights in Belarus expresses grave concern over the
detention of opposition leaders Aleksandr Milinkevich, Vintsuk Vyachorka,
Aleksandr Buchvostau, and Sergei Kalyakin, who were arrested in Minsk on April
27, 2006, and sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment on charges of organizing and
participating in an unauthorized protest rally, following their participation in
a march to protest the government's management of the Chernobyl nuclear accident
of 1986.
Rural Development Center opened in the Stolin District 28 April 2006 | UNDP
Local
entrepreneurs and owners of small land plots in the Stolin district, Brest
region, from now on will be able to obtain comprehensive support for the
development of their business from the Local Fund “Stolin District Center for
Support to Rural Development and Entrepreneurship”, which was opened today in
Stolin.
UNICEF says iodine could have prevented cancer among Chernobyl victims 19 April 2006
Ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today that iodized salt could have significantly lowered the numbers of exposed children who developed thyroid cancer and called for the supplement to be widely used throughout the affected region.
Ad Melkert: United Nations considers Chernobyl as a development challenge 18 April 2006 | UNDP
On the eve of his visit to Belarus to participate in the International
Conference, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster, Mr.
Melkert, UN Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of UNDP,
answered the questions from the UN Bulletin.
UN Under-Secretary-General Ad Melkert to participate in 20th anniversary Chernobyl commemorations in Belarus 17 April 2006 | UNDP
Ad Melkert, the
UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDPs second highest ranking official, will
participate in the 20th anniversary Chernobyl commemorations in Belarus,
including a conference in Minsk and Gomel. He will visit contaminated areas near
Gomel and attend a Project Fair organized by UNDP, the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation, the World Bank and the Chernobyl Committee of
Belarus.
UNDP workshops focus on people living with HIV/AIDS 17 April 2006
The problems and needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and issues related to HIV/AIDS in prisons were discussed at two workshops organized last Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the framework of the UNDP Project “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment in Belarus”.
UNDP to help rehabilitate Belarusian peatlands 13 April 2006 | UNDP
A new UNDP
project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will help Belarus
address the problem of peatlands degradation and will contribute to Belarus’
fulfillment of its obligations under the three UN international environmental
conventions: on biodiversity, on climate change, and on combating
desertification and land degradation.
Gomel Project Fair to Showcase Local Initiatives 12 April 2006 | UNDP
The Project Fair will be held on 20 April 2006 within the framework of
the International Conference “Twenty Years after Chernobyl: Strategy of Recovery
and Sustainable Development of the Affected Regions”.
Chernobyl Photo Exhibition "Pain Abates Slowly" to be Held in Minsk 05 April 2006
The photo exhibition has been organized on the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. The National Arts Gallery (20
Lenin Str.) will play to host the exhibition from 7 till 30
April. The exhibition is supported from the Belarus Ministry of Culture, Belarus
Ministry of Information, Komchernobyl, UN Office in Belarus.
UNDP trains Belarus officials, NGOs in gender mainstreaming 04 April 2006 | UNDP
A series of trainings on gender mainstreaming were held by UNDP experts in Minsk last week to facilitate a better alignment of the work of Belarusian legislative and executive authorities, and NGOs with the principles of gender equality.
Youth trained on HIV/AIDS prevention share best practices 31 March 2006
Young people who have been trained as part of the UNDP Project “Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS in Belarus” and are currently involved in HIV/AIDS prevention based on the “peer education” model have been sharing best practices in building healthy lifestyle skills at a conference held from 30 to 31 March at the National Children’s Recuperation Center “Zubrenok.
UN human rights experts express serious concern over the deterioration of the human rights situation in Belarus 30 March 2006
"We express our serious
concern over the deterioration of the human rights situation before, during and
after the recent presidential election in Belarus. Specifically, we are alarmed
at the large number of violations of the rights to freedom of expression,
freedom of association, fair trial, physical and mental integrity and to
liberty."
Deploring rights abuses in Belarus, UN expert calls for detainees’ release 24 March 2006
In his third condemnation in a week over presidential elections in Belarus, decried by monitors as neither free nor fair, a United Nations expert today deplored the escalation of Government abuses against the independent press, opposition candidates and supporters, and called for the immediate release of all political detainees.
Special Rapporteur on Belarus condemns Human Rights violations during recent presidential elections 23 March 2006
"The Special
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Adrian Severin,
reiterates his strong condemnation of the numerous human rights violations
committed by the Belarusian Government against the independent press, opposition
candidates and their supporters, and human rights defenders, on the occasion of
the presidential election in Belarus."
UNDP for open dialogue with teenagers about healthy lifestyle 16 March 2006 | UNDP
“Being healthy is trendy!” – claim the organizers of the action with the same name. Its final events took place yesterday in Minsk. The action was intended to attract attention of the public, particularly young people, to the problem of HIV/AIDS.
Revitalizing of the Belarusian wetlands: cooperation that counts 14 March 2006 | UNDP
Recommendations for enhancement of the Belarusian environmental legislation Belarus, management plans for internationally important areas and the unique experience of rehabilitation and stabilization of the hydrological situation in wetlands are among the outcomes of the UNDP project that has just been completed.
A photo competition “Stop AIDS. Keep the promises!” starts in Belarus 10 March 2006
A national photo competition “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promises!” starts on 15 March under the project “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment in the Republic of Belarus” which is jointly implemented by the UNDP and the Belarusian Ministry of Health. 15-30 year old people are legible for the competition with no limitations to work or study place.
Youth hotline on HIV/AIDS launched in Minsk 01 March 2006
A telephone hotline on HIV/AIDS for youth was launched today in the premises of the HIV/AIDS informational and educational consulting room under the UNDP project “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment in the Republic of Belarus”.
Belarus and Ukraine exchange experience of revival and development 27 February 2006
With support from the United Nations, the Coordination Team of the Belarusian Programme “Coordination for Rehabilitation” focusing on provision of assistance to people affected by the Chernobyl accident visited their Ukrainian counterparts from the Chernobyl Programme “Revival and Development”. During a five-days visit which ended on 24 February, members of the Coordination Team studied the Ukrainian experience of addressing social, environmental and economic impacts of the man-made disaster which occurred 20 years ago.
A study visit of CORE Programme Coordination Team to the Ukraine 17 February 2006 | UNDP
A study visit of “Cooperation for Rehabilitation” (CORE) Programme Coordination Team and local facilitators in Bragin and Chechersk to the Ukraine will take place from 20 to 24 February 2006. The aim of the visit is to get acquainted with the experience of the Chernobyl Recovery Development Programme (CRDP) in the Ukraine.
