Watchdog

MINSK -- Police in Belarus have detained eight activists, including the leader of the opposition United Civic Party, Anatol Lyabedzka, and two journalists.

The activists were detained at Minsk’s central Kamarouka marketplace on March 16 while campaigning for seats in next week’s local elections.

They were wearing T-shirts bearing the photographs of political prisoners.

Lyabedzka and four other activists spent the night in custody.

The remaining five were released.

All were expected to be tried on March 17.

The exact charges are not known.

A woman who said she had been the victim of a gang rape in Pakistan has died after setting herself on fire.

Amina Bibi succumbed to her injuries on March 14 after setting herself alight with petrol outside a police station in Punjab Province the previous day.

Bibi, who was believed to be 17 or 18, said she had been assaulted by a gang of men, including a family member, in January.

A court dropped the case on March 13 following the issuance of a police report that said she had not been raped.

Bibi's brother said the decision had been too much for Bibi to cope with.

The Punjab police chief's spokeswoman said an investigation team had been sent to the area to investigate.

The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan demanded the government take steps to ensure rapists are brought to justice.

Sexual assault and domestic violence are widespread in deeply conservative Pakistan.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters