Vitsebsk Regional Court turns down picket bans appeal

Vitsebsk Regional Court has dismissed appeals against numerous bans on pickets imposed by the administration of Chyhunachny district during the year.

However, the Court stressed that the new version of the Mass Events Code enforced on 27 November might facilitate the controversial requirements of police, medical and housing maintenance of events the applicants have been facing for years.

In banning opposition-staged pickets, local executive authorities usually refer to Decision #881, which requires initial contracts with police, medical and housing departments before submitting an application. In reality, the departments refuse to sign the contracts until the event is authorized by the executive authorities.

The new version of the Code obliges the police, medical and housing services to sign the required agreements.