Another picket banned by Baranavichy authorities

Baranavichy City Executive Committee prohibited the trade union activist Ryhor Hryk to hold a picket against the violation of the Constitution and laws by local officials, under the slogan “Let's bring activities of the authorities under civilian control".

The activist learned it from a letter signed by the Deputy Chair of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee Dzmitry Kastsiukevich. In response, city officials reported that the applicant had not complied with all the requirements of Article 5 of the Law "On mass events in Belarus". In particular, he allegedly failed to specify the measures that would be taken by him to ensure public safety and public order during the mass event.

“I believe that I have fulfilled all legal requirements when applying for a rally: I entered into service contracts with the city polyclinic and the public utilities. The head of the city police department U. Herasimovich sent me a written reply, informing that the police would enter into an agreement for guarding the mass event after its authorization by the Baranavichy CEC. I believe that I was not allowed to hold the event not just because I wanted to use the slogan “Let's bring activities of the authorities under civilian control", so much disliked by the authorities, but even more due to the fact that I planned to inform Baranavichy citizens about violations of the Constitution and labour legislation in the country, including by the civil servants who adopt illegal and anti-national acts, decrees and laws,” commented Mr. Hryk.

The activist intends to appeal the ban to the Baranavichy City and District Court.