Minsk and Homel Authorities Prohibit Actions against Repeal of Privileges

According to the leader of BPF Youth Ales Kalita Minsk city executive committee banned to hold a picket against repeal of privileges on 20 May in Banhalor Square. According to the text of the committee’s answer, the reason is that on 20 May the location will be cleaned and the equipment will be repaired. The action was planned as a non-political protest against the decision of the authorities to deprive students, pensioners, veterans, disabled and other socially unprotected social strata from privileges, such as 50% transport fees. In the case the privileges are annulled, the people will have to pay 100% instead. The organizational committee of the action included five youth organizations and representatives of the majority of the high schools of Minsk. A number of well-known Belarusian musicians have been invited to perform at the action.

According to BelaPAN, on 15 May the organizers of a similar picket in Homel (also scheduled on 20 May) also received a refusal from Homel city executive committee.