News on the topic: freedom of expression
20.08.2013 Mahiliou human rights defenders appeal ban on picket in support of Ales Bialiatski
An appeal was lodged with the Leninski District Court of Mahiliou by Barys Bukhel and Aliaksei Kolchyn. The human rights defenders want the Court to cancel Decision of Mahiliou city executive committee of 19 December, 2007 "On Mass Events in the City of Mahiliou," as well as No. 15-12 of June 16, 2010 "On Amendments to Decision No. 25-19 of 19 December, 2007".
19.08.2013 Klimavichy authorities ban picket of solidarity with political prisoners
Aliaksandr Balobin, civil society activist from Klimavichy district (Homel region), received a reply from local executive committee to his application for holding a picket of solidarity with the country’s political prisoners.
19.08.2013 Reply to Vitsebsk opposition activists: decision on mass events to remain unchanged
Khrystafor Zhaliapau, coordinator of the Movement "For Freedom" in the Vitsebsk region, received a response to a joint letter from the deputy chairman of the regional executive committee A. Dziulin. More than 40 local residents asked the city executive authorities to reverse their decision on restrictions on holding street protest. The answer of the executive committee officials is negative.
16.08.2013 Salihorsk civil society activist petitions Constitutional Court
Salihorsk civil society activist Uladzimir Shyla considers it necessary to change the practice of executive agencies and courts of general jurisdiction in their repeated bans on public events. Last year alone, the activist received 37 bans on his applications. To change this situation, he submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court.
16.08.2013 Mahiliou authorities ban picket of Metalworkers’ Free Trade Union
The event was to be held on August 9 at a location specified for the purposes by the executive committee.
15.08.2013 Baranavichy court refuses to consider Prosecutor’s protest on Milavidy Festival case
An activist of the civil campaign "Tell the Truth" Viachaslau Bolbat received a letter from the court of Baranavichy district and the city of Baranavichy signed by Judge Taropina. It reports that the court returns back to the Prosecutor’s Office a protest against the activist’s complaint of the illegal ban on Milavidy Festival imposed by Baranavichy district executive committee.
15.08.2013 Complaint by Mazyr human rights defender to be considered at Homel Regional Court
Human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun appeals a ban on a series of pickets in solidarity with the imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski.
13.08.2013 Prosecutor's office refuses to react to a collective appeal on the Milavidy festival
Human rights activist Siarhei Housha received a letter signed by the acting Baranavichy inter-district prosecutor P. Navitski, in which it is stated that the collective appeal of citizens in the case of the Milavidy festival was returned to the applicants!!
12.08.2013 Mahiliou authorities ban a picket against the Russian military base in Belarus
On 12 August the head of the Mahiliou regional branch of the United Civil Party Uladzimir Shantsau received a response from the Mahiliou Regional Executive Committee, by which he was denied in holding a rally and a procession.
12.08.2013 Svetlahorsk: picket is banned because of sportive-cultural event
According to the head of the Svetlahorsk district organization of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World” Siarhei Daineka, Svetlahorsk District Executive Committee didn't allow members of the party to hold a picket in the recreation and leisure park on 10 August.
12.08.2013 Officers of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee get confused in the case of the Milavidy festival
On 9 August the second hearing on the lawsuit of the activist of the “For Freedom” movement Viktar Syrytsa against the actions of the newspaper of the Baranavichy District Executive Committee “Nash Krai” took place at the Baranavichy City and District Court. The proceedings were held by Judge Volha Apanovich in the Belarusian language.
08.08.2013 Case of Milavidy festival to be considered by Brest Regional Court
On 8 August social activist Viktar Syrytsa filed an appeal to the Brest Regional Court against the verdict of the Baranavichy City and District Court concerning the Milavidy festival.
08.08.2013 Zhlobin: official events dedicated to Day of Builder instead of a picket
Zhlobin District Executive Committee did not allow to hold two pickets, planned by members of the Belarusian Leftist Party "Fair World" on 9 and 10 August. The denial, signed by the head of the executive committee Henadz Suzdaleu, was recived by the head of the Zhlobin district organization of the “Fair World”, Valery Rybchanka.
07.08.2013 Baranavichy: prosecutor's office is required to discriminated in the case of the Milavidy festival
Baranavichy human rights defenders and social activists are outraged at the biased and hasty decision of Judge Katsiaryna Hruda. On 6 August they filed a collective complaint to the prosecutor's office in the administrative case of Viktar Syrytsa.
02.08.2013 Homel leftists are banned to picket due to... rehearsals of dance ensembles
The bans on mass events in Homel are getting more absurd (if the scale of absurdity can be measured). In particular, representatives of the Belarusian Leftist Party intended to hold a picket on 6 August in the only place, officially determined for such events – the ground near the Culture House of the Association of the Deaf “Vipro”.
