Not a minute for human rights in Vitsebsk

Human rights activist Pavel Levinau was prohibited to hold pickets on Human Rights Day, 10 December. He filed applications for the authorization of one-minute actions, but the district authorities rejected his applications.

According to Mr. Levinau, he filed such applications with the Kastrychnitski, Pershamaiski and Chyhunachny district executive committees of Vitsebsk:

"All of them sent negative replies. The reason remains the same – the absence of service contracts with the police, medics and the communal utilities. The authorities demand these contracts on the basis of the Ruling of the Vitsebsk City Executive Committee № 881 "On the organization of mass actions in Vitsebsk". However, in this case, the requirement seems absurd: I cannot feel very bad during one minute, I won't manage to throw enough litter to justify the need of special services of street cleaners and there is no need for me to be guarded by the police, as it is impossible to stage even a serious quarrel with passers-by during one minute,” says the activist.