Baranavichy authorities ban picket on 95th anniversary of Belarusian People’s Republic
Activist Viktar Syrytsa received today a letter signed by the deputy chairman of the executive committee of Baranavichy Dzmitry Kastsiukevich. It reports that the city authorities do not give permission for the rally on March 25, 2013, dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the independence of the Belarusian People's Republic.
The executive officials argue that the applicant has violated Art. 5 of the Law “On Mass Events” and paragraph 4 of the executive committee’s decision No. 1497 “On the order of conducting mass events in Baranavichy” of 16 June, 2009 (as amended by the decision of the executive committee of 5 October, 2009). The letter traditionally fails to report what exactly the applicant has violated, but offers, in case of disagreement with the decision, to appeal to Brest regional executive committee or to the court of Baranavichy district and the city of Baranavichy.
“I signed contracts with the city polyclinic and public utilities, but the police department employee Major Pavel Kulhavik refused to sign a contract with me for maintaining public order, as required by law and the decision of executive committee. I twice personally went to the city police department, and once talked to him on the phone. But without success. That’s how my constitutional right to freedom of assembly, meetings and pickets (Article 35 of the Constitution) in our country depends on the will and wishes of a small official,” said Viktar Syrytsa.
The activist intends to complain to higher authorities and to court on illegal actions of the police department.
