Mahiliou pro-dem activists to appeal picket bans in court

On 18 April, a number of Mahiliou pro-democratic activists lodged a complaint with Leninski District Court against the bans of several pickets scheduled for 25-27 April.

The claimants demand to reverse the decision by Mahiliou regional executive committee and repeal local executive restrictions on mass events adopted by the city’s authorities.

According to local human rights activist Barys Bukhel, the restrictions violate the national legislation and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“Belarusian officials don’t care about the Constitution and international instruments. However, the national law states that international treaties are part of the Belarusian legislation, i.e. the Constitution secures freedom of meetings, street events, demonstrations and pickets, provided they do not violate public order and the rights of other individuals. Apart from that, the activists are appealing the illegal ban by Mahiliou official Mr. Auseyenka, who had no right to consider the application and sign the ban, as the Mass Events Act only allows the consideration of such applications by head or deputy head of local executive body”, says the human rights defender.

Mr. Bukhel also stresses that the only authorized rally location in the city is a stadium that does not meet the criteria for holding mass events.