Minsk Regional Court dismisses appeal against ban on Human Rights Day picket in Salihorsk

The Minsk Regional Court has dismissed a cassation appeal filed by Salihorsk opposition activist Uladzimir Shyla to challenge a ban on a picket scheduled for Human Rights Day, after an earlier decision by the District Court was confirmed.

None of the arguments provided by activist was found valid by the Court’s judicial board. In particular, Uladzimir Shyla’s request to force local authorities to take measures to ensure public order during the event was interpreted as the organizer’s unwillingness to take these measures himself. The activist’s reference to the Salihorsk District Court’s disrespect for the provisions of the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights were considered incorrect by the Minsk Regional Court. According to the Judicial Board, the current Law “On Mass Events” is directly applicable and fully consistent with the Constitution and international law.

The Salihorsk activist disagrees with the verdict. According to Uladzimir Shyla, local representatives of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee have assisted him in the preparation of a communication to the UN Human Rights Committee.