Country Profile for BELARUS

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Risk Rating

General Information

Country Map
Red (High Risk) InTouch advice:
Most parts of the country are dangerous.
Do not travel unless absolutely necessary.


Amber (Moderate Risk) InTouch advice:
Some parts of the country are dangerous.
Travel with caution.


Green (Low Risk) InTouch advice:
Most parts of the country are safe.
Travel freely.
 
Capital: Minsk

Major Languages: Belarussian

Currency: Belarussian Ruble

Timezone: GMT +2:00
 

Overview

Overview

 

Alexsandr Lukashenko has been the President of Belarus since 1994 and under his leadership the political system in Belarus has become increasingly repressive.   As a consequence civil unrest and political demonstrations are frequent and often lead to violent clashes with police and security forces. The economic downturn has affected Belarus severely and this is another source of tension.  The main location of public unrest is the capital, Minsk, and it is advisable to avoid any such demonstrations as and when they occur.

Regionally Belarus has become increasingly ostracised by the European Union due to the repressive nature of Lukashenko’s regime.  Instead the country has maintained a close political relationship with Russia, although recently relations between the two have been strained over energy prices.  Neither of these issues is likely to lead to conflict for Belarus.

Crime has been on the increase in Belarus in recent years, specifically theft and street crime in urban centres such as Minsk.  It is important to exercise caution when in these areas as foreigners have been targeted, especially at night and in tourist areas. 

Alerts

Alert for Belarus

 

Peaceful anti-government protests staged in Minsk - 20 July 2011:

Hundred of protesters have carried out a peaceful demonstration against the authoritarian rule of Alexander Lukashenko.  The protests had been organised across the internet and was the latest in a long line of rallies against the government.

Hundred arrested in protest crackdown - 04 July 2011:

Around 300 people have been arrested by security forces in Belarus after taking part in Independence Day protests against the authoritarian president, Alexsander Lukashenko.  Human rights groups claim that 200 people were arrested in the capital, Minsk, while a further 80 were arrested in other towns across the country. 

Explosion hits Belarus metro system - 11 April 2011:

At least five people are reported to have been killed by an explosion on the metro system in the capital, Minsk.  More than a dozen people are also believed to have been injured in the blast.

Hundreds of protesters arrested following presidential elections - 20 December 2010:

Police in Belarus have arrested hundreds of people protesting the results of the country's presidential elections.  Many of the protesters were injured in the clashes which came after the re-election of Alexander Lukashenko for a forth term.  The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have called the elections "flawed" and falling well short of democratic standards.

Data

Belarus Data Sheet

 

Population: 9.4 million

Major Religion/s: : Christianity

International dialling code: +375

International dialling prefix: 810

Emergency services: Police 102, Medical 103, Fire 101

Drives: Right

Voltage: 220V

Climate: Continental

Other Major Cities: Gomel, Mogilyov, Vitebsk, Grodno, Brest

Borders: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania


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