The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

28.11.2011 Vitsebsk Regional Court turns down picket bans appeal

Vitsebsk Regional Court has dismissed appeals against numerous bans on pickets imposed by the administration of Chyhunachny district during the year.

25.11.2011 Brest court turns down picket ban appeal

Brest Leninski District Court has dismissed a complaint against a ban on holding a picket of support to political prisoners imposed by local executive officials.

16.11.2011 Baranavichy prosecutor upholds marathon ban

On 15 November, Baranavichy businessman Mikalai Charnavus received a reply from the district prosecutor’s office concerning an earlier ban on a marathon applied for by the entrepreneur.

11.11.2011 Vitsebsk Region Court again upholds ban on pickets

On 10 November the Vitsebsk Region Court considered the cassation appeal of human rights defender Leanid Svetsik against the verdict of the Chairman of the Chyhunachny District Court of Vitsebsk, Raman Dziahoda, upholding the verdict of the Chyhunachny District Court by which a picket ban issued to Mr. Svetsik by the Vitsebsk Chyhunachny District Executive Committee had been declared lawful.

11.11.2011 Baranavichy: will they let him breathe deep?

As it follows from letter #722 of the Baranavichy District Executive Committee, dated 9 November 2011 and signed by the first Deputy Chairman, M. Paluyan, entrepreneur Mikalai Charnavus is not allowed to hold a foot-race in the village of Vialikaya Kaupenitsa.

01.11.2011 Brest: picket bans are appealed at court

Viktar Chaikouski, Deputy Chairman of the national public association “Perspective”, applied to the Brest City Executive Committee for the authorization of a series of pickets aimed at turning public attention to the use of articles of the Criminal Code by the authorities with the aim to neutralize civil and public activists. The actions were to be held in different parts of the city under the slogans “Freedom to political prisoners! Stop torture and harassment!”

28.10.2011 Prosecuting authorities persist in impotence

Orsha pro-democratic activists will never be allowed holding a mass event in the town, suggests another reply by local prosecutor’s office, received by human rights defenders Vasil Leuchnakau and Vasil Berasneu.

26.10.2011 Mazyr human rights defender vs. picket ban

On 19 October, human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun has lodged a complaint with Mazyr District Court against a ban on a picket of solidarity with Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski issued by the town’s executive committee.

18.10.2011 Prosecutors “washing hands” of Orsha HR defenders’ case

Orsha prosecuting authorities have evaded providing legal assessment to a human rights picket banned by local executive officials; they suggested addressing the court, instead.

18.10.2011 Salihorsk authorities ban anti-torture picket

Aliaksandr Rymasheuski, chair of Salihorsk town executive committee, has ruled to ban a picket against torture reportedly used against the imprisoned Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich. The official ban refers to the applicants’ failure to meet the requirements of Par. 6 Art. 5 of the Mass Events Code.

18.10.2011 Brest executive officials impede Leftists’ activities

Activists of Brest city office of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World” have lodged a complaint with the regional executive committee, after the city authorities refused to provide the office with a legal address.

17.10.2011 Gay Pride in Minsk banned

Minsk city executive committee has banned Minsk Gay Pride along Akademik Krasin Street in the micro district of Sosny.

17.10.2011 Baranavichy authorities ban one more picket

Baranavichy civil activist Ryhor Hryk has not been allowed to stage a picket “For a Life without Lies”, despite his compliance with every formality while submitting the application.

13.10.2011 Brest authorities ban more pickets

The Brest City Executive Committee prohibited holding three pickets in Savetskaya Street. The aim of the pickets was drawing public attention to the necessity of ratification of the agreement about the border-line movement with Poland, which would simplify the rules trans-border movement for residents of the 50-kilometer border zone.