BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

17/05/2007

Belarusians Protest Reconstruction Of Monastery In Minsk

Several hundred people gathered in front of the 17th-century Bernardine monastery complex in Minsk on May 16 to protest planned reconstruction work to convert the monastery into a hotel, Belapan reported. The baroque-style complex, located near Belarus's main Orthodox cathedral, includes a former monastery and a former Roman Catholic church, which currently houses state archives. The protest coincided with Solidarity Day, which has been observed by the Belarusian democratic opposition on the 16th day of every month since September 16, 2005, with the intention of expressing solidarity with the families of missing politicians and political prisoners in Belarus. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/05/3-CEE/cee-170507.asp