The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

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.

“We want to inform Babruisk residents that there are no fair elections in Belarus. If the authorities allow us picket at the central market, we will prepare leaflets and will talk to the people,” says one of the action organizers, the head of the Babruisk organization of the United Civil Party Viktar Buzinayeu.

Hrodna activist of the United Civil Party Mrs. Aliaksandra Vasilevich has been reportedly visited by a policeman, who said the girl could face administrative charges in case she took part in the unsanctioned picket marking the 26th anniversary of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster scheduled for 26 April.

Siarhei Lis, a member of the United Civil Party from the town of Aziory (Hrodna district) stated that last week-end he had been groundlessly stopped by the road police on the way from Hrodna to Aziory.

Viktar Buzinayeu, chair of the United Civil Party’s Babruisk office, may be deprived of right to custody of his disabled parents, say local social service officials.