News on the topic: freedom of expression
01.10.2013 Brest authorities ban the pickets against the introduction of the exit fee
The local activists of the United Civil Party filed applications for four pickets, by means of which they intended to draw the attention of the society to the new initiative of the authorities which violates the rights of citizens, namely – the intention to take an exit fee of $100 from the Belarusian citizens who intended to buy goods abroad.
26.09.2013 Slonim authorities suppress protests by holding their own events
On September 9, Ales Masiuk, member of the Slonim office of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, submitted to the local executive committee a bid asking for permission to stage on September 29 a rally in the town park to protest against the harassment of the Hazeta Slonimskaya independent weekly, as well as to demand free exercise of the right to subscribe to the independent newspaper in the offices of the state-owned subscription system.
25.09.2013 Slonim authorities ban picket to hold sports event
On September 10, leader of the Slonim coalition of pro-democratic forces Ivan Sheha filed an application to the district executive committee asking for permission to hold a picket on September 28. The event was expected to be attended by some 40 people.
24.09.2013 Hrodna court confirms picket ban
Judge Zhanna Krauchanka of Hrodna Leninski District Court upheld yesterday a ban on holding a picket in support of Ales Bialiatski, following two and a half hours of examination of a complaint lodged by local human rights defenders, Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Raman Yurhel, to challenge the decision of the city executive committee.
19.09.2013 Ideologists ban rock concert in Svetlahorsk
A concert of rock bands scheduled for September 21 was cancelled in Svetlahorsk.
19.09.2013 Biaroza court confirms picket ban
The court of Biaroza district considered yesterday a joint complaint by human rights defenders Siarhei Rusetski and Tamara Shchapiotkina, as well as civil society activist Tatsiana Tarasevich. They asked the court to reverse a ban imposed by the district executive committee on a demonstration of solidarity with political prisoners scheduled for August 4, as well as to recognize a violation of terms of replying (instead of July 30, as required by law, the reply was sent to the applicants on August 2).
16.09.2013 Baranavichy authorities ban anti-impoverishment picket
Baranavichy city executive committee banned a picket aimed to protest against the decreasing incomes of families raising children. The picket was applied for by local independent trade union activist Ryhor Hryk.
13.09.2013 Constitutional Court refuses to consider appeal against picket bans in Salihorsk
The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus did not to consider the appeal of the Salihorsk activist Uladzimir Shyla who stated about the unconstitutionality of the law enforcement practice of the executive authorities and the ordinary courts of the country , as well as the refusal to authorize mass events and the undue restriction of the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.
12.09.2013 Authorities prohibit March against abortions
The march was blessed by the heads of the Orthodox and Catholic churches in the country – Metropolitans Filaret and Tadevush Kandrusevich.
09.09.2013 Picket against foreign airbases banned in Bykhau
Bykhau District Executive Committee banned a picket against the deployment of foreign military bases. The action was to have taken place on 8 September at the local park “50 Hadou Peramohi”. The head of the Bykhau district organization of the Belarusian Popular Front, writer and journalist Siarhei Antonau, received an appropriate answer on 7 September.
06.09.2013 Mahiliou: court upholds picket ban
The verdict was issued by Andrei Yurchanka, Judge of the Leninski District Court of Mahiliou on 3 August 2013.
06.09.2013 Picket of Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry banned in Vitsebsk
Valery Misnikau, the legal expert of the Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry in the Vitsebsk region, received a denial to his application for holding a picket, dedicated to social problems of the unemployed. According to Mr. Misnikau, he intended to hold a one-man picket on 8 September to express his protest against the Ruling of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 28 June 2013 No. 569 "On measures for implementation of the Law " On State benefits for families with children".
06.09.2013 Bialynichy: picket against foreign airbases banned as well
Bialynichy District Executive Committee didn't let the local representatives of the Belarusian Popular Front to hold a picket on 8 September against the placement of foreign military bases on the territory of Belarus.
03.09.2013 Mahiliou democrats were not allowed to hold a rally and procession against the Russian airbase
On 2 September it became known that the Mahiliou City Executive Committee didn't authorize a protest event which was to have taken place on 8 September, the Belarusian Military Glory Day.
02.09.2013 Slonim: “Farby Voseni” against pickets
Recently, officials of the Slonim District Executive Committee have been trying to interfere with the holding of events held by the Slonim association of democratic forces. They always plan public events at the time when opposition's pickets and rallies are held.
