News on the topic: freedom of expression
11.12.2014 Pavel Levinau is prohibited to hold a photo session
Human rights activist appealed to the Chyhunachny District Executive Committee to inform it about his intention to get photographed with his friends just for the sake of taking photos. However, he was answered that he had failed to implement the requirements of the regulation of Vitsebsk City Executive Committee “About mass events in the city of Vitsebsk”.
10.12.2014 Brest activists remind about political prisoners on Human Rights Day
A two-hour picket dedicated to the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was held in Brest in the park soldiers-internationalists and was the only such event in Belarus which was permitted by the local authorities.
10.12.2014 Informational action in central Minsk
December 10, “Viasna” activists congratulated passers-by on the Human Rights Day in the centre of Minsk, handing out the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and information booklets on the death penalty.
10.12.2014 Human Rights Day greetings in Baranavichy
Despite the official ban on the picket on December 10 human rights defenders and social activists held an action in Baranavichy on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The activists handed out to citizens booklets with the text of the Declaration, as well as information materials on human rights issues.
10.12.2014 Vitsebsk authorities banned three pickets dated to Human Rights Day
Three applications for one-minute pickets were filed to the district executive committees of Vitsebsk by a human rights activist Pavel Levinau, who wanted to hold such events in each of the three districts. However, he received predictable formulaic bans.
05.12.2014 Valiantsin Stefanovich speaks against the clear-up of the informational space under the disguise of fight against drug trafficking
During his speech at the meeting on combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances on December 4 the Interior Minister Ihar Shunevich said that there was an urgent need to adjust the legislation related to Internet activities. In particular, in his opinion, all Belarusian Internet users must be prohibited access to the websites put on the list of restricted access.
05.12.2014 Another freelance journalist to stand trial
At 11 a.m. on December 11 hearings on an administrative case against the journalist Ales Zaleuski will take place at Slonim District Court.
04.12.2014 Vitsebsk: three days of arrest for taking part in a photoshoot
Trials of participants of a photoshoot with a graffiti continue at the Chyhunachny District Court in Vitsebsk. Five civil society activists and journalists have been already sentenced to fines for taking photos against the background of a graffiti of newspaper birds flying out of cages.
02.12.2014 Krychau ideologist refuses from a part of her claims to “Volny Horad”
December 2, hearings on the lawsuit on protection of honor, dignity and business reputation and compensation for moral damage, filed by the head of the department of ideology, culture and youth affairs of Krychau Town Executive Committee Maryna Maksimava to the independent newspaper "Volny Horad", its publisher Uladzimir Kudrautsau and editor Siarhei Niarouny continued at Krychau District Court.
02.12.2014 Hrodna: journalist Andrei Mialeshka got fined 60 mln rubles
December 2, Hrodna freelance journalist Andrei Mialeshka was sentenced to another fine under Article 22.9, Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (illegal production and distribution of information products). Judge of the Leninski District Court of Hrodna Yury Kazakevich fined the journalist 6 million Belarusian rubles.
02.12.2014 Vitsebsk: more fines for photos with “birds and cages”
Trials of participants of a photo shoot with a graffiti, painted by an unknown artist, continue at the Chyhunachny district court of Vitsebsk. The graffiti depicts newspaper birds flying out of cages. The police qualified the photoshoot as "unauthorized picketing".
01.12.2014 Bialynichy activists join “Cities for Life” campaign
Civil society activists distributed the book “Who Needs Death Penalty?” by Valery Filipau. The action was timed to the joint action "Cities for Life - Cities Against the Death Penalty", which is held on November 30 in many countries.
01.12.2014 Kanstantsin Mardzvintsau and Tatsiana Seviarynets got fined as well
On December 1, two more people photographed on November 5 in Vitsebk were fined under charges of violating the procedure of holding mass events.
01.12.2014 Independent journalist Andrei Mialeshka to be tried December 2
December 2, Hrodna journalist Andrei Mialeshka will be tried once again for cooperation with the independent media without accreditation. November 29, he received a subpoena by registered mail. The hearing will take place at the Leninski District Court of Hrodna.
14.11.2014 Journalist of TVP summoned to the police office in Slonim
Ales Zaleuski, the employee of the Polish public television TVP, was summoned to the police office; nevertheless he got the notification after the event.
