Another ban on a mass event issued in Vitsebsk
Vitsebsk City Executive
Committee refused to authorize the rally in honor of the 150th
anniversary of the uprising of Kastus Kalinouski, planned by Yan
Dziarzhautsau, a member of the Conservative-Christian Party
"Belarusian Popular Front".
"The letter of the
executive committee actually confirms the fact Vitsebsk activists are
well aware of: our actions will be banned at any cost, even in
violation of the legislation and our rights," commented the
activist.
Mr. Dziarzhautsau intended to hold the rally on
Sunday, 10 March, and applied to the city executive committee, as far
as the intended route crossed the territory of three city districts.
The written denial of the authorities is dated 4 March. However, the
post seal has a different date – 6 March. The letter was received
by Mr. Dziarzhautsau even later – on 7 March, less than three days
prior to the action, whereas the legal deadline is 5 days.
The
formal reason for the ban is predictable – the failure of the
applicant to conclude service agreements with the polyclinic and
police. The applicant attached the answers of these institutions to
his application, asking the authorities to oblige them to conclude
service agreements with him. However, the deputy head of Vitsebsk
City Executive Committee Uladzimir Shloma refused to do it referring
to Article 391 of the Civil Code.
"It means that the
public utilities, medics and the police can refuse to conclude
service agreements with organizers of mass events for no reason at
all – just because they don't want to do it, and ruling #881 of
Vitsebsk City Executive Committee, regulating the order of holding of
such events, becomes unfulfillable. On the other hand, it means that
we are pushed to holding unauthorized mass events, which is an
administrative violation," commented Mr. Dziarzhautsau.
The
activist intends to appeal the received ban at a higher instance,
Vitsebsk Region Executive Committee. He also wants to require
explanations why the city authorities adopt the rulings which are
impossible to implement.
