News on the topic: freedom of expression
19.09.2013 Ideologists ban rock concert in Svetlahorsk
A concert of rock bands scheduled for September 21 was cancelled in Svetlahorsk.
19.09.2013 Biaroza court confirms picket ban
The court of Biaroza district considered yesterday a joint complaint by human rights defenders Siarhei Rusetski and Tamara Shchapiotkina, as well as civil society activist Tatsiana Tarasevich. They asked the court to reverse a ban imposed by the district executive committee on a demonstration of solidarity with political prisoners scheduled for August 4, as well as to recognize a violation of terms of replying (instead of July 30, as required by law, the reply was sent to the applicants on August 2).
16.09.2013 Baranavichy authorities ban anti-impoverishment picket
Baranavichy city executive committee banned a picket aimed to protest against the decreasing incomes of families raising children. The picket was applied for by local independent trade union activist Ryhor Hryk.
13.09.2013 Constitutional Court refuses to consider appeal against picket bans in Salihorsk
The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus did not to consider the appeal of the Salihorsk activist Uladzimir Shyla who stated about the unconstitutionality of the law enforcement practice of the executive authorities and the ordinary courts of the country , as well as the refusal to authorize mass events and the undue restriction of the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.
12.09.2013 Authorities prohibit March against abortions
The march was blessed by the heads of the Orthodox and Catholic churches in the country – Metropolitans Filaret and Tadevush Kandrusevich.
09.09.2013 Picket against foreign airbases banned in Bykhau
Bykhau District Executive Committee banned a picket against the deployment of foreign military bases. The action was to have taken place on 8 September at the local park “50 Hadou Peramohi”. The head of the Bykhau district organization of the Belarusian Popular Front, writer and journalist Siarhei Antonau, received an appropriate answer on 7 September.
06.09.2013 Mahiliou: court upholds picket ban
The verdict was issued by Andrei Yurchanka, Judge of the Leninski District Court of Mahiliou on 3 August 2013.
06.09.2013 Picket of Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry banned in Vitsebsk
Valery Misnikau, the legal expert of the Trade Union of Radio Electronic Industry in the Vitsebsk region, received a denial to his application for holding a picket, dedicated to social problems of the unemployed. According to Mr. Misnikau, he intended to hold a one-man picket on 8 September to express his protest against the Ruling of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 28 June 2013 No. 569 "On measures for implementation of the Law " On State benefits for families with children".
06.09.2013 Bialynichy: picket against foreign airbases banned as well
Bialynichy District Executive Committee didn't let the local representatives of the Belarusian Popular Front to hold a picket on 8 September against the placement of foreign military bases on the territory of Belarus.
03.09.2013 Mahiliou democrats were not allowed to hold a rally and procession against the Russian airbase
On 2 September it became known that the Mahiliou City Executive Committee didn't authorize a protest event which was to have taken place on 8 September, the Belarusian Military Glory Day.
02.09.2013 Slonim: “Farby Voseni” against pickets
Recently, officials of the Slonim District Executive Committee have been trying to interfere with the holding of events held by the Slonim association of democratic forces. They always plan public events at the time when opposition's pickets and rallies are held.
02.09.2013 Hrodna human rights defenders appeal verdict of Hrodna City Executive Committee
Hrodna public activists Uladzimir Khilmanovich, Viktar Sazonau and Raman Yurhel applied to the Leninski District Court against the ruling of the Hrodna City Executive Committee of 1 August, by which they were prohibited to hold an informational picket in support of Ales Bialiatski.
28.08.2013 Court dismisses Viktar Syrytsa's claim to the state-owned newspaper “Nash Krai”
On 27 August the Baranavichy City and District Court turned down the appeal of the social activist Viktar Syrytsa against the newspaper.
27.08.2013 Homel police refuse to guard Fair World’s picket
The Homel regional office of the United Party of the Left "Fair World" submitted to the city executive committee applications for three pickets (on 24, 25 and 26 September) expected to report on the party's ideas and discuss the socio-economic situation in Belarus.
22.08.2013 Supreme Court considers Homel courts incompetent
For nearly a year, from August 2012 to the present day, Mazyr human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun was seeking justice in the courts of Homel region to appeal a decision of Mazyr District Executive Committee "On Mass Events", arguing that the decision is not consistent with the law and violates the rights of citizens, the implementation of which are guaranteed by the Constitution.
