News on the topic: freedom of expression
17.05.2012 Gay Protests Not Allowed In Minsk
MINSK-- Authorities in the Belarusian capital Minsk have prevented gay activists from holding protests to mark the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17.
17.05.2012 Homel authorities ban screening of film on Stalinist repressions
The administration of Homel-based “Tourist” hotel has refused to provide premises for the screening of a documentary “Stalin’s Line. Homel Region” produced by local pro-democratic activists.
16.05.2012 Hrodna: Predictable court ruling
Hrodna Leninski District Court has dismissed appeals by local pro-democratic activists Yury Istomin, Vadzim Saranchukou and Uladzimir Khilmanovich in their lawsuit against the city’s executive committee.
16.05.2012 Hrodna officials keep restricting freedom of assembly
Hrodna city executive committee keeps violating the Mass Events Code by either denying local pro-democratic activists’ rights to stage pickets and meetings or failing to authorize the events in due time.
14.05.2012 Pickets "For fair elections without Lukashenka" are banned all over Belarus
The appropriate campaign was launched by the United Civil Party. Such pickets were banned in Babruisk, Barysau, Brest and Mahiliou. The organizers wanted to hold the actions in busy places in order to attract the attention of the population. However, they were usually answered that the pickets could be held only in the places that had been officially determined for such actions.
11.05.2012 Baranavichy activist complains to Lukashenka about prosecutors
On 11 May civil activist Ryhor Hryk (in the photo) addressed A. Lukashenka with a complaint about actions of the Prosecutor General, the prosecutor of Baranavichy and the prosecutor of the Brest region.
02.05.2012 Mikashevichy: community work day instead of banned 1 May demonstration
The head of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union Mikalai Zimin and the head of the independent trade union at "Granite" factory Aleh Stakhayevich applied to the Mikashevichy authorities for the authorization of 1 May demonstration in the city. Predictably enough, the application was rejected.
30.04.2012 Orsha authorities ban pickets again
Another ban on holding two pickets on May Day was received by Orsha activists of the United Leftist Party “Fair World”.
27.04.2012 Vitsebsk Regional Court turns down appeal against Freedom Day rally ban
On 26 April, the board of Vitsebsk regional Court dismissed a complaint lodged by local pro-democratic activists Khrystafor Zhaliapau, Aliaksei Haurutsikau and Yan Dziarzhautsau against an earlier ban on holding a rally and a meeting on Freedom Day (25 March) imposed by deputy chair of the city’s executive committee Uladzimir Shloma.
27.04.2012 Authorities ban May Day meetings
Minsk city executive committee has not sanctioned an opposition meeting on 1 May, says Valery Ukhnaliou, deputy chairman of the United Leftist Party “Fair World”.
23.04.2012 Vitsebsk authorities ban three Chernobyl-related pickets
Vitsebsk activists of the Conservative Christian Party “Belarusian Popular Front” will not be able to hold a number of pickets marking the anniversary of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, after local activist Yan Dziarzhautsau received an official ban issued by the city’s executive authorities.
19.04.2012 Vitsebsk authorities ban pickets
Yan Dziarzhautsau, Vitsebsk activist of the Conservative Christina Party “Belarusian Popular Front”, will not be able to stage three pickets, after his applications were dismissed by the administrations of the city’s three districts.
18.04.2012 Brest court upholds picket ban
Brest Leninski District Court has upheld a ban on a picket applied for by local human rights defender Uladzimir Vialichkin.
17.04.2012 UN Human Rights Committee registers complaint by Homel activist
The UN Human Rights Committee has registered a complaint submitted by Homel civil activist Mrs. Zinaida Shumilina, contesting a number of bans on holding pickets in support of former presidential candidates and their families.
17.04.2012 Salihorsk prosecuting authorities ignore illegal restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly
Salihorsk Prosecutor’s Office has ruled not to consider a complaint lodged by local civil activist Uladzimir Shyla, following several months of his fruitless struggle for holding a mass event in the town.
