Belarus approves legislation to stem protests News
Belarus approves legislation to stem protests

[JURIST] The Belarussian parliament on Friday voted 97-4 to approve a law imposing harsh penalties for anyone convicted of inciting demonstrations or spreading harmful information. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko [BBC profile] wants the laws to stop anti-government protest movements like Ukraine's Orange Revolution [BBC report] which led to a change in leadership last year. Lukashenko is running for re-election next year and has drawn criticism from Western nations for attempting to silence dissidents. Reuters has more.