Homel court denies UCP activists the right to remind the public about the kidnapped ex-Minister of MIA
Judge
of the Tsentralny District Court of Homel Maryna Damnenka dismissed
the appeal of activists of the United Civil Party against the ban of
the twenty pickets they intended to hold on 7 May 2013 in different
parts of Homel in order to remind about the kidnapping of Yury
Zakharanka.
The court found that the UCP activists have no
right to remind the citizens about the kidnapped former interior
minister.
“Around the world, the right to peaceful assembly
of citizens is not absolute and is subject to certain restrictions
which must necessarily be provided by law and are necessary for the
aims provided by Article 23 of the Constitution. In particular, the
restriction of rights and liberties is admissible for the interests
of the national security, public order, morality, health and rights
and freedoms of others,” commented the head of the Homel regional
UCP organization Zinaida Shumilina.
“How can a procession be
held at the ground in front of the culture house of the deaf “Vipra”
if this format provides the movement of a group of people along the
carriage way with the aim to draw the public attention to certain
issues? I am surprised at the fact that the decision of the executive
committee passed registration at the National register of legal acts,
because as a result the thesis “if you want to express your views
in public – you shall pay” has acquired the weight of a legal
norm,” commented the UCP activist Natallia Shchukina.
“Due
to the action of the aforementioned ruling in Homel the city
authorities haven't authorized any out of more than 150 planned
peaceful assemblies during the last ten years. On the contrary, the
mass events which are organized by the authorities are held in the
center of the city on a regular basis, and the police, medical
services and the public utilities work there
on a non-paid basis,” resents the 82-year-old
party member Mikhail Tsimashenka.
“We
believe that the city authorities put in danger the very principle of
freedom of peaceful assemblies of citizens. We intend to prove it,
including, if necessary, at
the UN Human Rights Committee.
The local
authorities and courts leave us no choice,” said
the UCP member Leanid Sudalenka, the lawyer who represented the
interests of the plaintiffs at the trial.