Salihorsk: human rights require a new decision on canceling public events

Salihorsk representative of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee Leanid Markhotka asks the Salihorsk Council to cancel the decision of the Salihorsk District Executive Committee "On designation of places for mass events" No. 427, adopted on February 27 and enforced on April 4, 2015.

The human rights defender believes that this document does not correspond to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which has been ratified by Belarus and directly applies to this situation. Restrict of the right to peaceful assembly and free expression of ideas is possible only at the legislative level and, if necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, health or morals or protection of the rights and freedoms of others. It is obvious that strict restrictions in the form of permission to hold pickets in the town of Salihorsk just behind the high fence of the stadium "Budaŭnik" and Starobin stadium "Sluč", as well as holding demonstrations and marches in a very short part of the right side of Lenin Street are totally disproportionate and unacceptable in a democratic society. Human rights activist recalled that the rule of law is characterized by individual freedom and the principle of the permissibility of everything that is not prohibited by law.

Leanid Markhotka also sent to the council a draft ruling "On freedom of assembly in the town of Salihorsk and Salihorsk district" and demands to be allowed to attend its consideration at a sitting of the council.