News on the topic: freedom of expression
24.04.2013 Another picket banned in Vitsebsk
Yan Dziarzhautsau, member of the Conservative Christian Party BPF, has been unable to sign a contract with the city’s medical service to hold a mass rally for the third time in a row. The picket on the anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy was banned by the local authorities exactly on the basis that there was no agreement with the health care department and police administration.
23.04.2013 Vitsebsk authorities ban two rallies to mark Chernobyl disaster anniversary
A total of three applications were submitted. The activists have so far received two replies, while one is yet left unanswered, although an official response should have been issued at least five days prior to the scheduled event.
22.04.2013 Young Front activist appeals violations by Salihorsk court to Ministry of Justice
The Young Front member Andrei Tychyna sent to the Ministry of Justice a complaint against the delay in issuing a ruling by Salihorsk District Court.
18.04.2013 Homel court upholds picket ban
Judge Zhanna Andreichyk of the Court of Homel’s Tsentralny District considered yesterday the complaint of civil activist Kanstantsin Zhukouski about a ban on holding a picket on 1 April imposed by the city executive committee. The activist and his associates were planning to hold a rally under a slogan “Homel City Executive Committee! Hands Off History!” in order to attract public attention to the destruction of unique wooden buildings in the center of Homel.
15.04.2013 Vitsebsk activists applied for authorization of tree pickets dated to anniversary of Chernobyl accident
Yan Dziarzhautsau, a member of the Conservative-Christian Party Belarusian Popular Front, applied to Kastrychnitski District Executive Committee with an application for the authorization of a picket on 26 April. Earlier, two similar applications were filed by the head of Vitsebsk regional branch of the Belarusian Popular Front Leanid Autukhou and the head of the regional branch of the "For Freedom" movement Khrystafor Zhaliapau.
12.04.2013 Vitsebsk: holding of picket is hindered by... box
Vitsebsk activists received a letter from the ambulance, which refused to send a car to their picket on 12 April due to alleged business.
09.04.2013 Homel: police, ambulance and city authorities oppose leftist May Day rally
Homel police and ambulance refuse to conclude the agreements for serving the May Day rally of the oppositionists, referring to the legal acts according to which such agreements can be concluded after the action is authorized by the city administration.
08.04.2013 Baranavichy: civil activist appeals actions of police officer
On 8 April Viktar Syrytsa filed an appeal to Baranavichy prosecutor against actions of police major Pavel Kulhavik who had protracted the time and then had refused to conclude the agreement for serving the picket the activist intended to hold on 25 March.
08.04.2013 "Amnesty International" sues against prohibition of picket near Belarusian Embassy in Moscow
The international human rights organization decided to file a lawsuit against the prohibition of a picket near the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus by Moscow authorities.
01.04.2013 Vitsebsk activists demand to be presented yearly schedule of events in 30-hoddzia VLKSM Park
Khrystafor Zhaliapau and Aliaksei Haurutsikau ask Vitsebsk City Executive Committee to familiarize them with the yearly schedule of the usage of this park. They also filed two new applications for mass events to Pershamaiski District Executive Committee of Vitsebsk.
28.03.2013 Interior Ministry says “No” to Vitsebsk activists
Khrystafor Zhaliapau, head of Vitsebsk regional office of the movement “For Freedom”, received a reply to his complaint filed to the Interior Ministry after facing another ban on holding a mass event imposed by the city’s police department. Meanwhile, according to a decision of the local executive officials, permission to stage a street event can only be obtained with prior agreement of the police.
27.03.2013 Ex-Mayor of Homel complains to UN Human Rights Committee
Mrs. Sviatlana Haldadze, former chair of Homel city executive committee, submitted a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee, contesting a ban on holding a picket on August 4 last year in support of imprisoned human rights defender Ales Bialiatski. The picket was applied for by local human rights activists Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka.
25.03.2013 Mahiliou Regional Court confirms picket ban
Mahiliou Regional Court considered today an appeal lodged by local leader of the United Civil Party Uladzimir Shantsau to challenge a ban on holding a picket on December 19, 2012 imposed by the city executive committee and later upheld by Leninski District Court.
22.03.2013 Homel civil activist appeals picket ban
Homel city executive committee has banned a picket applied for by the coordinator of the civil initiative “Stop drinking – Live Instead” Dzmitry Karashkou. The picket was expected to attract public attention to the problem of alcohol abuse.
21.03.2013 Slonim police warn activist ahead of Freedom Day celebrations
Ivan Sheha, leader of Slonim pro-democratic forces, received a written warning from the police department, warning against “violating the procedures of organizing and holding mass events or pickets.”
