I. Over 25,000 Belarusians Sign "Charter 97"

On December 10 a press conference was held in Moscow by Belarusian human rights activists. The activists are the initiators of "Charter 97," a citizen initiative drafted last month. "Charter 97" supports the restoration of rule by constitutional law in Belarus and demands that the fundamental rights of citizens--such as freedom of assembly and expression, and the right to a fair trial--be respected and upheld. Similar in spirit to the Czechoslovakian "Charter 77," which proclaimed a struggle with totalitarianism, the Belarusian "Charter" reads:

The actions of the current administration are aimed at eradicating the inalienable rights and freedoms of our citizens. They are flouting the basic law of the country--the Constitution. More than 25,000 Belarusian citizens, members of varying political parties, have signed this document. On November 25, "Charter 97" appeared on the Internet, and was circulated by e-mail. Among the first to sign the document were well-known human rights activists, politicians, independent journalists, and cultural figures. In response to "Charter 97," a decree was issued, restricting its signers from appearing on television or radio, and 15 of those who signed have already had criminal charges made against them. The administration has drafted an "Anti-Charter," which has been signed by the ideological compatriots of Lukashenko.

In the opinion of Vladimir Mitskevich, one of the leaders of the Associated Citizens' Party, "Charter 97" is the first pan-national citizen's initiative in Belarus. Carlos Sherman, vice president of the PEN Center in Belarus, hopes the charter will be a "cure for fear" for the citizens of Belarus, insofar as many people (particularly those in small towns and villages) wouldn't sign the document for fear of the repercussions. Attendees at the press conference in Moscow expressed the opinion that the "tragic example" of Belarus should act as a warning to Russian democrats and a model of the strength of "revanchist forces."

Full text of "Charter 97" can be seen at:
http://www.bdg.minsk.by/hartia/
(The Charter is available in English, Russian and Belarusian).

II. Russia's First Ombudsman

Representatives from Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MSIIR) and the UN Development Program signed an agreement on December 5 that will establish an ombudsman's office at the Institute. MSIIR will be the first Russian institution to have an ombudsman. Anatolii Torkunov, director of MSIIR, is certain that the ombudsman will act as a more effective method for resolving the disputes that arise between the Institute's administration, personnel and students. Torkunov believes that the office of the ombudsman will bring "democracy to the micro-level" at the school, and hopes that one day, such an office will be created at the federal level.

In the majority of countries around the world, ombudsmen have existed for many years--although the character of the office varies between country. In Russia, citizens needing dispute resolution usually appeal to a government authority and not to the courts. Now, students and staff at MSIIR may address their complaints to the ombudsman and he will examine both sides of the dispute, while maintaining professionalism and impartiality. The ombudsman will have a small cadre of experts at his disposal; for help on resolving legal issues, he can consult with Duma deputy Elena Mizulina.

The directors of MSIIR and the UN Development Program intend to actively lobby for the establishment of ombudsmen at other educational institutions and administrative offices in Moscow and throughout the oblast. In the words of Phillip Elguire, representative for the UN Development Program, it is necessary to create a "culture of law" among the generation who will lead Russia in the next millenium.

III. Moscow Computer Users to Hold Protest at Mayor's Office

At 1:00 pm on December 20, users of on-line computer services will hold a protest at the Moscow mayor's office against the introduction of time-based telephone charges and against the telephone monopoly. Representatives from the protest group--called "December 20"--are currently negotiating with the Moscow city administration in order to hold the rally. Mayor Yuri Luzhkov is expected to make a decision regarding the protest soon. According to Vladimir Matveev, press secretary for "December 20," approximately 10,000 people will take part in the protest if it is officially sanctioned; however, nearly 2,000 of these will protest regardless of official approval. Thus, the organizers of the protest fear that problems could arise if approval is not given. A similar protest will also be held at the office of the St. Petersburg mayor on December 20.

Beginning in 1998, the state telephone company in Moscow will implement time-based charges, as opposed to a flat fee, for phone use. Anna Boiko, press secretary for the telephone company, informed an ASI correspondent that consumers will be charged 100 rubles for every minute that they exceed an established monthly limit of 700 minutes. Veterans and the disabled will receive a 50 percent discount on telephone charges. Vladmir Matveev believes that the introduction of the new time-based charges will increase the average family's monthly phone bill by 200,000 to 300,000 rubles. In particular, subscribers to on-line computer services and networks--including journalists, business people, and NGOs, as well as families--will be negatively affected by the new rate scale.

Contact telephone: 150-4573 (Vladimir Matveev)

IV. Eco-Activist in St. Petersburg Takes "Argumenti I Fakti" to Court

The Federal Court in St. Petersburg will conduct an examination into charges of slander brought by Vladimir Gushchin--a member of the environmental organizations "Nature Protection Society" and "Green Union"--against the St. Petersburg bureau of the newspaper "Argumenti I Fakti." Gushchin took offense at an article published by the newspaper in 1996 that said that many environmental organizations created under the auspices of the "House of Nature" and listed in the St. Petersburg "Green Pages" did not exist other than on paper. Gushchin demanded that the article be retracted, which "Argumenti I Fakti" refused. Now Gushchin claims that the article was circulated far beyond the borders of St. Petersburg and has become well-known outside of the Leningrad oblast.

Contact telephone: (812) 558-2862 (Vladimir Gushchin)

V. "Army of Charity" Begins Work in the Urals

A Urals-based branch of the Russian NGO "Army of Charity" has begun work in Ekaterinburg. Although the Ekaterinburg office of the organization closely resembles the Moscow branch of "Army of Charity," the office in the Urals is completely independent, with its own rules and membership. The main goal of "Army of Charity" is the delivery and distribution of foreign humanitarian aid. Following the large number of abuses among Russian recipients of foreign aid, European and American charitable organizations began to decrease their aid, stating that they would deal only with larger Russian groups that could guarantee the fair distribution of products and medicines. The Ekaterinburg branch of "Army of Charity" was able to secure the support of two prominent American charitable organizations: the Slavic Foundation and the CIS Development Fund. The first shipment of medical supplies will arrive in Ekaterinburg in a month. More than 53 institutions in the Urals have made requests for the medical aid, among them hospitals and orphanages. Currently, delivery of donations is financed by foreign sponsors, but in the future "Army of Charity" hopes to take on some of this responsibility by selling a portion of the products (medical products in particular) at special stores for low- income people.

VI. Tragedy Unites Governmental, Civic and Commercial Organizations

On December 6, transport plane AN-124 crashed into a residential block of Irkutsk, destroying several apartment buildings, including an orphanage. 47 people were killed as a result of the crash, while 37 were declared missing, pending identification of body parts found at the crash site. The tragedy left no one untouched.

Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin signed a declaration ordering the construction of a building to house 80 families, and a children's home that will house 180. 50 million rubles will be allotted to cover the expenses of the crash's victims. Following the example of the Irkutsk city administration and the oblast's Ministry of the Interior, Irkutsk's labor collective donated a day's wages to a fund to benefit the victims of the crash. 18 commercial firms in Irkutsk--including the Eastern Siberian Railroad, "Argospetsstroi," "Siberian Furniture," Sberbank and a meat production plant--donated a total of 200 million rubles, along with several apartments for those left homeless after the crash.

The Irkutsk office of the Red Cross, with help from the oblast administration, collected clothes, food, and money for the crash victims' fund. The Temperance & Health Society organized a crisis clinic to give psychological support to the victims. Groups all over Russia have contributed money and goods to aid the victims. Carlos Bayan, chairman of the Armenian Society of Irkutsk said, "The Armenian people have seen much misfortune. Nine years ago after the earthquake occurred, the whole world--and especially the Russian people--gave us help. Grief knows no borders. God give us all the courage to live through this tragedy."

On December 9, Vadim Tuneev, president of the Krishna Society of Russia, sent a telegram to the Irkutsk governor, offering both his sympathy to the relatives and friends of those killed in the crash and the help of the Krishna Society. Volunteers from the "Hare Krishna-- Food for Life" project in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude (in the Republic of Buryatia) then set up a kitchen near the crash site and proceeded to prepare over 800 portions of kasha, bread, and hot drinks for victims of the air disaster.

Contact telephone: (3012) 33-0795 (Vladislav Belochkin--"Hare Krishna- -Food for Life" project)

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