News on the topic: freedom of expression
16.10.2013 Two more pickets banned in Vitsebsk
Both bans are signed by the same person, deputy chair of Chyhunachny district administration Natallia Liapioshkina.
14.10.2013 Biaroza: Ideology officials involved in bans on public events
Such a conclusion can be drawn from a letter received by the applicants of a picket scheduled for October 10 that was expected to mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty.
14.10.2013 Hrodna authorities ban anti-fraud demonstration
On October 20, Hrodna civil society activist Aleh Kalinkou was going to hold a demonstration against electoral fraud and in favor of fair elections. His application said there would be only one demonstrator. The city executive committee considered the bid, but on October 11 the activist received a ban signed by the committee’s deputy chair Alena Ahei.
13.10.2013 Vitsebsk oppositionists file another picket application
The coordinator of the Movement "For Freedom" in the Vitsebsk region, Khrystafor Zhaliapau and an activist of the organizing committee of the Social Democratic Party "Narodnaya Hramada" Aliaksei Haurutsikau composed their application in such a way to leave the district authorities less reasons for banning the action.
10.10.2013 Vitsebsk court ignores violations of rights to public expression
Pershamaiski District Court of Vitsebsk held a hearing of the complaint by Vitsebsk pro-democratic activist, who asked to oblige the district authorities to issue permission to hold a picket against the deployment of Russian military bases in Belarus. However, representatives of the district administration decided to ignore the trial, and the court dismissed the complaint.
10.10.2013 Another picket banned by Biaroza District Executive Committee
This year, the first ban has been received by the local human rights defenders when applied for the authorization of a picket on 4 August in support of Ales Bialiatski and other political prisoners. The denial was signed by the deputy chairman of the Biaroza District Executive Committee Yauhen Tarasiuk.
10.10.2013 Zhodzina authorities ban a picket dated to the World Day against the Death Penalty
On 8 October, two days before the picket, its organizer, human rights defender Aliaksei Lapitski, received a letter from the Zhodzina City Executive Committee by registered mail through the Main Post Office.
07.10.2013 Khotsimsk: another application for a picket against foreign military airbases
Last week Khotsimsk activists of the Belarusian Popular Front filed another appeal to the Khotsimsk District Executive Committee to hold a picket against the deployment of the foreign military airbases on the territory of Belarus.
06.10.2013 Hrodna City Executive Committee issues a “cynic” picket ban
Hrodna City Executive Committee once again prohibited the human rights defenders Uladzimir Khilmanovich, Raman Yurhel and Viktar Sazonau to hold an informational picket. The activists intended to hold a picket against the death penalty on 10 October, the World Day against the Death Penalty, and inform the citizens about this issue.
06.10.2013 Another trial for banned picket to take place in Vitsebsk on 9 October
Vitsebsk regional coordinator of the Movement “For Freedom” Khrystafor Zhaliaoau and a representative of the organizing committee of the party “Narodmaya Hramada”, Aliaksei Haurutsikau, filed an appeal against the ban of the picket they intended to hold on 8 September. They also intend to receive the permission to hold their action at another time.
05.10.2013 Baranavichy City Executive Committee bans a picket in honor of the International Day for Decent Work
Baranavichy CEC banned the picket for the International Day for Decent Work. This became known from a letter signed by the deputy head of the executive committee, Dz. Kastsiukevich, received by an activist of the Baranavichy city unit of the Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry Ryhor Hryk.
01.10.2013 Brest authorities ban the pickets against the introduction of the exit fee
The local activists of the United Civil Party filed applications for four pickets, by means of which they intended to draw the attention of the society to the new initiative of the authorities which violates the rights of citizens, namely – the intention to take an exit fee of $100 from the Belarusian citizens who intended to buy goods abroad.
26.09.2013 Slonim authorities suppress protests by holding their own events
On September 9, Ales Masiuk, member of the Slonim office of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, submitted to the local executive committee a bid asking for permission to stage on September 29 a rally in the town park to protest against the harassment of the Hazeta Slonimskaya independent weekly, as well as to demand free exercise of the right to subscribe to the independent newspaper in the offices of the state-owned subscription system.
25.09.2013 Slonim authorities ban picket to hold sports event
On September 10, leader of the Slonim coalition of pro-democratic forces Ivan Sheha filed an application to the district executive committee asking for permission to hold a picket on September 28. The event was expected to be attended by some 40 people.
24.09.2013 Hrodna court confirms picket ban
Judge Zhanna Krauchanka of Hrodna Leninski District Court upheld yesterday a ban on holding a picket in support of Ales Bialiatski, following two and a half hours of examination of a complaint lodged by local human rights defenders, Viktar Sazonau, Uladzimir Khilmanovich and Raman Yurhel, to challenge the decision of the city executive committee.
