Homel human rights defenders appeal non-implementation of the Law “On Mass Events” at prosecutor's office

Homel human rights defenders appeal non-implementation of the Law “On Mass Events” at prosecutor's office

Homel human rights defenders Anatol Paplauny and Leanid Sudalenka have applied to the prosecutor of the Homel region concerning the non-implementation of the Law “On Mass Events”.

The reason was that the Homel City Executive Committee adopted a new ruling “On Mass Events” which came into force on 5 September. The human rights defenders consider this decision as unlawful and contrary to the Law “On Mass Events”.

According to the law "On Mass Events ", the local authorities are to determine permanent places for public events, as well as the enumeration of the places where their conduct is not permitted. By its ruling the executive committee determined the places for holding mass events in the city, but failed to implement its duty to determine the places where the holding of mass events is not permitted.

"As a result of the failure by the executive committee to implement the requirements of the national legislation, there appeared a legal collisision. If we, organizers of a peaceful assembly, using our right, plan to hold a mass event in any suitable place, who is to determine whether the place is suitable or not?” ask the activists.

They ask to make a presentation to the Homel City Executive Committee about the need for new solutions with the definition of the places where mass events are not permitted, with notification to the media.

Bear in mind that according to the new ruling of the executive committee, two places were determined for hoding mass events. However, these places are located dozens of kilometers away from the city center, in unfrequented places.

“The local authorities took a different path – under the guise of expanding places of peaceful assembly, they determined the places where nobody but dogs can be met. At the same time, they refuse to determine the places where such events are prohibited, as it eliminates the need to determine these constant places. Everything which is not prohibited is allowed,” commented Leanid Sudalenka.