The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

Baranavichy executive committee issued another ban on holding Milavidy festival dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Milavidy during the 1863 anti-Russian Uprising. Previously, we reported that the cultural and educational event was scheduled for June 2, but the executive committee dismissed local activists’ bid, saying that “on this day and in this place the cultural department of Baranavichy district executive committee scheduled its own event in connection with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Milavidy, so the holding of another event on the subject is not appropriate.”

Activist Uladzimir Shyla is appealing a ban imposed by Salihorsk district executive committee on a mass event expected to be held on Freedom Day. The appeal will be heard by Minsk Regional Court.

The Ministry of Justice took the side of the "Young Front" activist Andrei Tychyna in his long-standing dispute with the Salihorsk District Court.

Salihorsk District Court didn't grant the appeal of civic activist Uladzimir Shyla against the ban of the picket he intended to hold on Freedom Day, 25 March. The trial was lead by the deputy-head of the court Ala Trafimchuk.

Baranavichy City Executive Committee banned Milavidy feast, planned by the local public for 2 June 20113 and dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Milavidy battle of 1863. This became known from the letter, signed by the deputy head of Baranavichy District Executive Committee Anatol Filanchuk, received by the feast organizers Viachaslau Bolbat, Teresa Silivonchyk and Viktar Syrytsa.

Brest activists of the United Civil Party filed 12 applications to Brest City Executive Committee to hold pickets and remind about the fate of the former Minister of Interior Yury Zakharanka on 7 May (he went missing back on 7 May 1999).

Minsk city executive committee dismissed an application of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BCDTU) asking for permission to hold a rally in support of workers’ rights on 1 May, bdkp.org reports.

Mahiliou city executive committee banned a memorial picket to mark the 14th anniversary of the disappearance of former Minister of Defense Yury Zakharanka on the grounds that the UCP activists were going to stage the event in a location not approved by the officials.

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.

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.