19.04.2011 Babruisk authorities ban Chernobyl remembrance picket

Babruisk activists of the United Civic Party were not allowed holding a picket marking the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster, says local UCP leader Viktar Buzinayeu.

18.04.2011 Baranavichy authorities ban Chernobyl remembrance picket

Baranavichy town executive committee banned a picket marking the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster scheduled for 26 April.

14.04.2011 Salihorsk authorities ban pickets for stability and president

Aliaksandr Rymasheuski, Chair of the Salihorsk District Executive Committee, banned the pickets For Stability, For Our President and Against Picket Bans which a democratic activist Uladzimir Shyla wanted to hold in the only place where such actions are allowed by the local authorities – the Budaunik stadium on 15-16 April.

11.04.2011 Viasna condemns criminal prosecution of Andrzej Poczobut

On 28 March 2011, it was reported that Hronda Regional Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal proceedings against Andrzej Poczobut, reporter of the Polish Gazeta Wyborcza weekly and leader of the opposition Union of Poles. The journalist faces charges under Par. 1 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code (“insult of the President of the Republic of Belarus”) for eight publications in Gazeta Wyborcza, one article on www.belaruspartizan.org and a post in his personal blog www.poczobut.livejournal.com.

29.03.2011 Lyapis Trubetskoi’s concerts cancelled in Minsk

According to “Reactor”, the reason is technical but has not been defined yet. The Lyapises are thinking about the cancellation of the last 3 concerts of their tour.

21.03.2011 Local authorities ban 25 March solidarity pickets

Vitsebsk, Barysau, Polatsk and Navapolatsk authorities dismissed applications for holding a number of pickets of solidarity with political prisoners on 25 March submitted by local pro-democratic activists.

21.03.2011 Viasna protests against bans and censorship of musical bands

The Human Rights Center “Viasna” has released a statement protesting against the reimposure of anti-Constitutional practice of bans and censorship of musical bands and performers.

21.03.2011 Mahiliou and Homel authorities ban 25 March solidarity pickets

Mahiliou and Homel city executive committees dismissed applications for holding pickets of solidarity with political prisoners scheduled by local pro-democratic activists for 25 March.

17.03.2011 Polatsk court upholds picket ban

On 16 March, Polatsk Town and District Court dismissed an appeal lodged by local activist Mr. Kalesnik against official of the town executive committee Mrs. Hanebnaya, who banned a picket of solidarity with the victims of the 19 December 2010 police crackdown scheduled for 19 February.

04.02.2011 Minsk authorities criminalize last legal rally location

Minsk city executive committee dismissed an application for holding a picket in Minsk Bangalore Square on 5 February, lodged by local activists of Fair World leftist party, reports www.udf.by, quoting the party’s deputy chair Valery Ukhnaliou.

19.11.2010 Minsk Court turns down complaint against picket ban

Minsk Maskouski Court has dismissed a complaint against a ban on holding a picket imposed by the city executive committee. The picket’s objective was to draw public attention to mass violations of criminal and procedural legislation, including groundless detentions of civil activists in early September 2010.

25.10.2010 Minsk authorities ban another picket

Minsk city executive committee banned a picket, scheduled for 30 October and aimed at attracting public attention to mass violations of criminal legislation.

The official reply by the committee’s deputy chair Mr. Tsitsiankou argues that the picket cannot be held on the location applied for by civil activists, since it could allegedly ‘impair pedestrian and road traffic.’

10.09.2010 Minsk authorities ban informational pickets

Mr. Tsitsiankou, Deputy Chairperson of the Minsk City Executive Committee, thinks that such actions will hinder the movement of pedestrians.

03.09.2010 Minsk authorities ban pillow fight dedicated to anniversary of battle of Orsha

The Minsk City Executive Committee refused to authorize the action Pillow Fight which was planned for 8 September to mark the Battle of Orsha.

30.08.2010 Mazyr authorities ban meeting at site of self-immolation by Jews

Mazyr town authorities banned a meeting at the site of self-immolation committed by some 20 Jews on 31 August 1941, the BelaPAN news agency reports, quoting Pavel Nazdra, chair of the Belarusian Society for the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Monuments.