Officials accuse Salihorsk Belarusian Language Society of unauthorized activities

An attempt by the Salihorsk town office of the Belarusian Language Society to celebrate Freedom Day was estimated as non-statutory activities by local authorities.

Back in early March, the BLS office, as well as representatives of the United Civil Party, and other organizations, addressed chairman of the district executive committee Aliaksandr Rymasheuski with a proposal to help arrange celebrations of the 95th anniversary of the Belarusian People's Republic. The activists asked for a small room for the event. The appeal also invited local authorities to attend the meeting.

However, the request was not met. Moreover, in his response the chairman of Salihorsk executive committee stressed that “the activities of the Salihorsk city organization of the public association “Fratsishak Skaryna Belarusian Language Society” should be carried out in accordance with the Charter.” Thus, the official suggests that marking the 95th anniversary of the proclamation of the BPR does not fall under the statutory activities and is not “cultural and educational activities in the preservation, revitalization and promotion of the Belarusian language and Belarusian national culture.”