Legalize Belarus Press Service

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Drugs News
26 February 2018

Belarusian Christian Democracy against Legalize Belarus

Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD) is a political organisation in Belarus, that is often considered to be a part of "systemic opposition", a group of political actors taking part in what is formally called elections. By and large, such groups are not supported by the population and viewed as "puppet players of the government", helping the authoritarian regime to legitimise their power

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25 February 2018

End the Drug War Viciebsk

This is the eighth and the last planned Legalize Belarus landing. Lecture on the War on Drugs and hate speech towards drug users and people with addiction disorders took place in the Beatles Club in Viciebsk, the northern capital of Belarus.

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17 February 2018

Street picket in Minsk for decriminalisation

On 17 February 2018, the day before local election day, Legalize Belarus activists organised the first picket for decriminalisation of small amounts of controlled substances. The picket was held in the centre of Minsk, near Kastryčnickaja płošča. Activists brought a provocative banner, showing that simplifying a position towards current drug policy leads to appalling consequences.

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8 February 2018

4 activists fined €600 for the Hemp Kaliada

Soon after the first trial on Piotr Markiełaŭ for organisation of Hemp Kaliada, when the case was sent back to police department, 4 Legalize Belarus activists received subpoenas. All four (Piotr Markiełaŭ, Stas Šašok, Michaś Varancoŭ and Julija Švabovič) were accused of participating in an unauthorised meeting.

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4 February 2018

Article 328 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus

Updated March 15, 2020 to reflect the changes made in the Criminal Code in 2019.

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30 January 2018

How to be a responsible journalist

Oversimplifying and low awareness about psychoactive substances and addictive disorders lead to massive violations of human rights in Belarus, that have become socially acceptable. Thousands of people convicted for victimless crimes, but people easily turn away from the problem with the phrase "I'm against drugs". Responsible attitude towards drugs and its consumers requires information. Responsible journalism requires to stop calling drugs "en evil" and simplify complex phenomena. The memo (in Belarusian) was presented in Minsk on 29 January 2018.

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27 January 2018

Hemp Kaliada in Minsk

Kaliada is an old Belarusian tradition when people dress up in magical creatures and go through the village singing songs. During the event in Minsk participants played board games, exchanged Christmas gifts, tasted food made of cannabis (without psychoactive substances). People were signing the petition for legislation reform and sending postcards to drug convicts. We made several "hemp stars", referring to traditional Kaliada stars.

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27 January 2018

End the Drug War Bieraście

Legalize Belarus landed in Bieraście! We never had such a deep and meaningful discussion. Artists, entrepreneurs, journalists, school teachers, doctors and students spoke out. Everyone expressed oneself and brought to the conversation.

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30 December 2017

End the Drug War Mahiloŭ

Another "End the Drug War" meeting was held in Mahiloŭ, third-large Belarusian city. One day before the event, the venue cancelled the booking because of "negative attitude towards drugs". Though another place to organise the discussion was found, it affected the number of participants.

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19 December 2017

End the Drug War Harodnia

Legalize Belarus landed in Harodnia with a lecture on the war on drugs, "How drugs work. Cannabis" movie screening and a discussion afterwards. The leader of the drug convicts mothers movement "Mothers 328" attended the event and together with other activists shared terrifying facts of injustice towards the imprisoned.

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