Celebration of Human Rights Day is virtually banned by Belarusian authorities

Human rights are prohibited to hold pickets or any other actions on the International Day of Human Rights, 10 December.

Groundless refusals were given to the civil activists who applied for authorization of human rights actions in Baranavichy, Barysau, Biaroza, Homel, Hrodna, Mahiliou, Mazyr, Navapolatsk, Orsha, Smarhon, Vitsebsk and some other towns. In Brest the authorities prohibited holding a picket, but instead permitted a rally at the Locomotive stadium.

The head of the BPF Youth Andrei Krechka was also denied in holding a picket in Yakub Kolas Square in Minsk at 4-6 p.m. under the pretext that mass events couldn’t be held in less than 200 meters from tube stations and underground crossings. The refusal was signed by the deputy ead of Minsk city executive committee Mikhail Tsitsiankou.

The real attitude of the authorities to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is also demonstrated by their refusal to the Belarusian Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry, who intended to hold a human rights picket in Banhalor Square – the place the authorities had determined especially for the opposition’s actions. The official reason for the denial is that the action would allegedly hinder the traffic.