Brest left-wing activist appeals picket ban at UN Human Rights Committee

Having exhausted all domestic judicial remedies, Aliaksandr Dzenisenka, Brest activist of the Fair World United Left Party, has submitted a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee, challenging a ban on holding a picket imposed by the city’s executive authorities.

The picket was expected to highlight the obstacles Brest residents face in obtaining apartments at affordable costs. However, it was banned by the administration of Leninski district on the grounds that the applicant had failed to sign contracts for the maintenance of the picket. The ban was later upheld by the Court of Brest region and the Supreme Court of Belarus.

In his communication, Mr. Dzenisenka notes that the city authorities deprived him of his right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, despite the fact the rights are guaranteed by the Belarusian Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.