News on the topic: freedom of expression
11.11.2011 Baranavichy: will they let him breathe deep?
As it follows from letter #722 of the Baranavichy District Executive Committee, dated 9 November 2011 and signed by the first Deputy Chairman, M. Paluyan, entrepreneur Mikalai Charnavus is not allowed to hold a foot-race in the village of Vialikaya Kaupenitsa.
01.11.2011 Brest: picket bans are appealed at court
Viktar Chaikouski, Deputy Chairman of the national public association “Perspective”, applied to the Brest City Executive Committee for the authorization of a series of pickets aimed at turning public attention to the use of articles of the Criminal Code by the authorities with the aim to neutralize civil and public activists. The actions were to be held in different parts of the city under the slogans “Freedom to political prisoners! Stop torture and harassment!”
28.10.2011 Prosecuting authorities persist in impotence
Orsha pro-democratic activists will never be allowed holding a mass event in the town, suggests another reply by local prosecutor’s office, received by human rights defenders Vasil Leuchnakau and Vasil Berasneu.
26.10.2011 Mazyr human rights defender vs. picket ban
On 19 October, human rights defender Uladzimir Tseliapun has lodged a complaint with Mazyr District Court against a ban on a picket of solidarity with Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski issued by the town’s executive committee.
18.10.2011 Prosecutors “washing hands” of Orsha HR defenders’ case
Orsha prosecuting authorities have evaded providing legal assessment to a human rights picket banned by local executive officials; they suggested addressing the court, instead.
18.10.2011 Salihorsk authorities ban anti-torture picket
Aliaksandr Rymasheuski, chair of Salihorsk town executive committee, has ruled to ban a picket against torture reportedly used against the imprisoned Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich. The official ban refers to the applicants’ failure to meet the requirements of Par. 6 Art. 5 of the Mass Events Code.
18.10.2011 Brest executive officials impede Leftists’ activities
Activists of Brest city office of the Belarusian Leftist Party “Fair World” have lodged a complaint with the regional executive committee, after the city authorities refused to provide the office with a legal address.
17.10.2011 Gay Pride in Minsk banned
Minsk city executive committee has banned Minsk Gay Pride along Akademik Krasin Street in the micro district of Sosny.
17.10.2011 Baranavichy authorities ban one more picket
Baranavichy civil activist Ryhor Hryk has not been allowed to stage a picket “For a Life without Lies”, despite his compliance with every formality while submitting the application.
13.10.2011 Brest authorities ban more pickets
The Brest City Executive Committee prohibited holding three pickets in Savetskaya Street. The aim of the pickets was drawing public attention to the necessity of ratification of the agreement about the border-line movement with Poland, which would simplify the rules trans-border movement for residents of the 50-kilometer border zone.
13.10.2011 Polish procuracy bans white-red-white flag
Belarusian sports fans do not have the right to use Belarusian national white-red-white flags at international sports events in Poland.
11.10.2011 Baranavichy authorities ban picket in support of Yuliya Tymoshenko
The Baranavichy City Executive Committee didn't allow Ryhor Hryk, a member of the United Civil Party and the Movement “For Freedom” to hold a picket in support of the Ukrainian politician Yulia Tymoshenko who has been sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment.
10.10.2011 Actions in support of Ales Bialiatski are still banned in Belarus
On 10 October the Leninski District Court fined human rights defender Viktar Sasonau, who had been detained on 23 august for handing out leaflets with information about the arrest of Ales Bialiatski, chairman of the Human Rights Center “Viasna”. The same day the police held a search at his apartment, confiscated two computer system units, informational and human rights editions and T-shirts with Bialiatski's portraits.
05.10.2011 Brest authorities ban trade-union picket
As, said by Valiantsin Lazarenkau, head of the Brest branch of the Free Trade Union, the picket, planned on 7 October – the World Day of defending the right for decent work, was prohibited by the city executive committee. The reason is that the applicants hadn't concluded agreements with the communal services, police and doctors, as prescribed by the executive committee's decisions.
03.10.2011 Brest authorities ban picket in support of political prisoners
Viktar Chaikouski, Deputy Chair of the civil association of entrepreneurs Perspective, received an answer from the Brest City Executive Committee to his applications for authorizing a number of pickets calling to stop the politically motivated harassment and torture of civil and political activists.
