Authorities permit just one BCD picket in over 100

Belarusian Christian Democrats applied for permissions to hold over 100 pickets in 41 cities and towns of Belarus, but just one of them was authorized. It will be held at 5-7 p.m. in Klichau, whose population is 7,000 at largest. The topic of the picket is the protection of children from alcoholism.

Belarusian Christian Democracy regards the actions of the authorities as violation of citizens' rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

"The ordered pickets had a clear-cut character. We intended to collect signatures in support of changes to the legislation for dealcoholation of the population, wanteds to talk about anti-alcohol campaign. We have already collected thousands of signatures in support of the campaign, and pickets would be a logical part of the company. The fact that even socially-oriented pickets are banned witnesses the panic fear of the authorities before any public activity. The authorities' declarations about the care about the population remain void, as there are no real steps. There is a mass aloholization of the population, while obstacles are put to the anti-alcohol campaign,” said co-chairman of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Vital Rymasheuski.