Minsk: trade union picket in Banhalor square banned

Minsk city executive committee turned down the application of the trade union of radio electronic industry (REI) for authorizing a picket in Banhalor Square on 10 December, said the REI activist Mikalai Herasimenka.

Mr. Herasimenka had filed an application for picketing at Banhalor at 3.30-6.00 p.m. on 10 December, the day when the world community celebrates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The activist intended to hold the picket for protection of worker’s rights. In his application he undertook to clean the action site of cigarette butts after the end of the action, invite the ambulance will it be necessary, etc.

On 3 December he received a note, signed by the head of the letters department M.Makouskaya, by which he was informed that his application was forwarded to the ideological department of the executive committee.

On 5 December Herasimenka received an answer signed by the deputy head of Minsk CEC Mikhail Tsitsiankou. The application was turned down under the pretext that the action would allegedly hinder the traffic in Arlouskaya Street.

‘Will 15 activists hinder the traffic? How long can one stand such mockery? It was Minsk city executive committee who determined this place for opposition’s actions, a place where people usually walk their dogs, and now prohibits pickets even there. I will apply to Minsk city court and, will it be necessary – to Supreme Court as well,’ stated Mikalai Herasimenka.