News on the topic: freedom of expression
09.07.2013 Slonim District Prosecutor upholds regular bans on mass events
A few weeks ago the head of the Slonim organization of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, Ivan Bedka, complained to the prosecutor of the Slonim district about the ban on a picket in support of physician Ivan Sheha. "For ten years, the Slonim District Executive Committee hasn't authorized any mass events of democratic forces in Slonim. Thereby officials routinely violate my constitutional right to peaceful assemblies," wrote Mr. Bedka.
26.06.2013 Vitsebsk court to hear appeals of 3 picket bans
Three applications for pickets – three bans. This is how one can briefly describe the history of the recent communication of Vitsebsk resident Viktar Zharkou with the district administrations. Now Viktar Zharkou has filed complaints with the courts of all the three districts of Vitsebsk against officials who deprived him of the opportunity to inform people about the violation of his rights by the police.
21.06.2013 Baranavichy activist appeals ban on Milavidy Festival
An activist of the civil campaign “Tell the Truth”, Viachaslau Bolbat, filed yesterday a complaint with the district court of Baranavichy and Baranavichy district to challenge the actions of the district executive committee, which, according to the activist, twice illegally banned an educational and cultural event entitled “Milavidy Festival – In Memory of the Kasiniery of 1863.”
18.06.2013 Slonim authorities ban picket of support to dismissed doctor
Slonim residents Ivan Bedka and Viktar Marchyk addressed on May 30 Slonim district executive committee with an application for permission to stage a picket on June 27 in support of a local trauma surgeon, Ivan Sheha. They recently received a written response from the committee signed by the deputy chairman, Viktar Kot.
07.06.2013 Baranavichy activists ask how the authorities will implement Views of UN Human Rights Committee
On 7 June human rights defenders and social activists Siarhei Housha, Viktar Meziaka and Viktar Syrytsa filed an appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which they asked to be provided with information on measures taken by Belarus to implement the pinions of the UN Committee on Human Rights, set out on 27 July 2012.
05.06.2013 Baranavichy: prosecutor's office turns into post office
Civic activist Viktar Syrytsa received a letter signed by the head of the police department of the Baranavichy Executive Committee V. Herasimovich. There it is stated that his complaint against the refusal of an officer of the police department, major Piatro Kulhavik, to sign a contract for guarding the 25 May picket, was concidered, but no "violations of discipline and the legal order order were found in the actions of officers of the Baranavichy City Police Department."
27.05.2013 Radio Racyja Hrodna journalist receives fifth denial of accreditation
Viktar Parfionenka, journalist of the Poland-based Radio Racyja, received another denial of accreditation from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a fifth ban over the past five years.
22.05.2013 Baranavichy authorities ban Milavidy festival
Baranavichy executive committee issued another ban on holding Milavidy festival dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Milavidy during the 1863 anti-Russian Uprising. Previously, we reported that the cultural and educational event was scheduled for June 2, but the executive committee dismissed local activists’ bid, saying that “on this day and in this place the cultural department of Baranavichy district executive committee scheduled its own event in connection with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Milavidy, so the holding of another event on the subject is not appropriate.”
20.05.2013 Salihorsk: Ban on Freedom Day picket appealed to Regional Court
Activist Uladzimir Shyla is appealing a ban imposed by Salihorsk district executive committee on a mass event expected to be held on Freedom Day. The appeal will be heard by Minsk Regional Court.
13.05.2013 Ministry of Justice recognizes actions of Salihorsk District Court as unlawful
The Ministry of Justice took the side of the "Young Front" activist Andrei Tychyna in his long-standing dispute with the Salihorsk District Court.
08.05.2013 Salihorsk Court dismisses appeal against Freedom Day picket ban
Salihorsk District Court didn't grant the appeal of civic activist Uladzimir Shyla against the ban of the picket he intended to hold on Freedom Day, 25 March. The trial was lead by the deputy-head of the court Ala Trafimchuk.
06.05.2013 Baranavichy District Executive Committee bans Milavidy Feast on 150th anniversary of battle of Milavidy
Baranavichy City Executive Committee banned Milavidy feast, planned by the local public for 2 June 20113 and dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Milavidy battle of 1863. This became known from the letter, signed by the deputy head of Baranavichy District Executive Committee Anatol Filanchuk, received by the feast organizers Viachaslau Bolbat, Teresa Silivonchyk and Viktar Syrytsa.
03.05.2013 Brest: authorities bann pickets in honor of Yury Zakharanka
Brest activists of the United Civil Party filed 12 applications to Brest City Executive Committee to hold pickets and remind about the fate of the former Minister of Interior Yury Zakharanka on 7 May (he went missing back on 7 May 1999).
30.04.2013 Minsk authorities ban May Day rally
Minsk city executive committee dismissed an application of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BCDTU) asking for permission to hold a rally in support of workers’ rights on 1 May, bdkp.org reports.
25.04.2013 UCP Mahiliou activists denied permission to hold Yury Zakharanka memorial picket
Mahiliou city executive committee banned a memorial picket to mark the 14th anniversary of the disappearance of former Minister of Defense Yury Zakharanka on the grounds that the UCP activists were going to stage the event in a location not approved by the officials.
