Homel authorities insist that the regulation "On Mass Events" doesn't concern pro-government communists
Homel City Executive Committee allows pro-government communists, Communist Party of Belarus, not to abide by requirements of its regulation on mass event. Such conclusion can be drawn from the answer, received from the CEC by Chairman of the Homel regional organization of the Belarusian Left Party “Fair World” Uladzimir Siakerka.
In his appeal to the city authorities, he asked to be explained under what conditions the PCB rally dedicated to the October Revolution was held on November 7, 2013 in Homel. As it turned out, the rally was sanctioned by Chair of the CEC, Piatro Kirychenka. The official not only ordered the public utilities to clean the area after the rally, but also to install two bonfires with flags near the monument to Lenin. He also ordered the city polyclinic to serve the rally participants if necessary, and the police – to secure the public order.
We should remind that according to the ruling of the executive committee “On Mass Events”, entering into paid service agreements with the police, medics and police is the duty of the organizers of mass events, whereas the PCB managed to hold the rally without it. Moreover, according to the ruling, political parties and NGOs are allowed to hold mass events only in two places in Mahiliou. Therefore, the city authorities always ban opposition's street actions due to the absence of the service agreements or reluctance of the organizers to hold the events in the allowed places, located on the city outskirts. Meanwhile, the ruling provides no exceptions for any political parties, including the PCB.
“Apart from freeing the communists from implementing the regulation, the executive committee also allowed them to hold the event in the central square, and even ordered the authorities of each of the Homel districts to provide the attendance of the rally by 150 persons. The city ideologists also provided muscial accompaniment for the rally, as well as its coverage in the press,” commented human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka.
