Brest Authorities Ban Picket Dedicated to Human Rights Day

On the eve of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Brest city executive committee receive 2 applications for pickets. The applicants intended to hold them both on 9 December – one in Lenin Street and the other – at the Locomotive stadium. 

Several days ago the applicant Yury Zhydovich received an answer that was signed by the deputy chair of Brest city executive committee V.Khafizau. By this answer Zhydovich was informed that on 9 December the solemn closing of the football season among the amateur teams and the final match for the city cup would take place at the stadium. ‘That’s why you are refused in holding the picket in the specified location’. 

Another applicant, Siarhei Vakulenka, also received an answer from Khafizau. ‘In conformity with article 5 of the law On mass actions in the Republic of Belarus and the ruling of Brest city executive committee of 25.10.2006 On determining the regular place for holding mass actions in the city of Brest you are refused in holding the abovementioned action at the abovementioned address,’ runs the answer. 

A local human rights activist Uladzimir Vialichkin thinks that the refusal in holding the picket at the Locovotive stadium is totally groundless and eloquently demonstrates the real attitude of the authorities to human rights in Belarus. ‘The picket at the stadium that has been determined as the only place for holding mass actions by no means can interfere with the closing of the football season. On the contrary, it could serve for attracting more citizens to the sportive measure,’ commented the human rights activist.