Zubr (political organization)

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Zubr (Belarusian: ЗУБР) is a civic youth organization in Belarus in opposition to President Aleksandr Lukashenko. The organization has received strategic inspiration from the Serbian student movement Otpor, which overthrew Slobodan Milošević in Serbia in 2000, and from Gene Sharp's writings on nonviolent action. Zubr gained international fame in 2005 when United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with their leaders in Lithuania, who risked imprisonment upon their return. Members of Zubr are also credited for the origin of the term "Jeans Revolution".

Members of Zubr are regularly hassled and imprisoned for minor offences. On December 23, 2005, Zubr activists Pavel Modzharo (Павел Моджаро), Aleksandr Morozov (Александр Морозов) and another colleague were arrested on the basis of narcotics which were planted on them by plainclothes security officers [1] [2]. February 16, 2006, Zubr leaders Aleh Myatselitsa and Pavel Yukhnevich were among the detained after a police break-up of a peaceful protest calling for the release of political prisoners. [3] Two other members were arrested on February 20 for handing out stickers the same day [4].

During the Belarusian presidential election, 2006, Zubr linked herself to Alexander Milinkievič the candidate from the opposition United Democratic Forces of Belarus. Following international criticisms on the election, several demonstrations followed, in which the Zubr flag was flown prominently flown next to the old Belarusian flag, and the European Union flag. [5]

In May 2006 Zubr announced ceasing activity under its own brand and uniting with the rest of the Belarusian opposition.