The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

Eighteen mass events have been banned by Salihorsk town authorities since the beginning of the year alone, with six more pickets banned on 2 February, local human rights defender Uladzimir Shyla says.

The Salihorsk authorities have recently banned six events organized by the local civil and political activists. The formal reason in all cases is alleged violation of Article 8 of the Law “On Mass Events” - placement of information about the actions on the web before their authorization.

Members of the Mahiliou region branch of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World” intended to hold a picket at 12 a.m. on 28 January in order to protest against the people's pauperization. The picket was to have taken place at the “Khimik” stadium, the only place determined for opposition's actions by a special ruling of the city authorities. However, the authorities refused to authorize the action. The alleged reason is that a mass sportive event will be held at the stadium at the specified time.

Viktar Tsiapin, Baranavichy leader of the Fair World Leftist Party, has received a reply from local executive authorities saying that the picket he was expected to stage on 28 January had been banned.

Salihorsk authorities have banned two more street events – a picket and a meeting scheduled for 21 January and 22 January, respectively.

The Belarusian Embassy to Stockholm has refused to issue a visa to member of the Arbetarepartiet-Socialdemokraterna Party Mr. Lars-Ove Jansson, who was expected to pay a visit to Brest region.

None of over 60 pickets in support of imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski expected to be staged by human rights defenders was authorized by Minsk executive authorities.

Salihorsk pro-democratic activists will not be able to stage a picket in support of political prisoners and a meeting to discuss the results of the 4th All-Belarusian Assembly, after their applications were rejected by local executive authorities.

Baranavichy city executive committee has issued two bans on a picket (25 January) and a meeting (19 January) applied for by local pro-democratic activist Mikalai Charnavus.

The Brest Regional Court confirmed the ruling of the Leninski District Court of Brest concerning the ban of a series of pickets under the slogan “Freedom to Political Prisoners!” by the Brest City Executive Committee in autumn 2011.