Baranavichy authorities ban picket marking anniversary of Declaration of Independence

A civil society activist Ryhor Hryk received on July 15 a letter signed by the deputy chairman of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee D. Kastsiukevich, which says that the authorities will not allow to hold a rally on July 27, expected to mark the anniversary of the Declaration of Belarus’ State Sovereignty. The official argues that the applicants of the picket, Ryhor Hryk, Siarhei Housha and Viachaslau Bolbat, violated Part 5 of the Law “On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus” and paragraph 4 of the executive committee’s decision of June 16, 2009 “On the order of organizing mass events in the city of Baranavichy”.

“On July 27, 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the BSSR adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the BSSR, but today this event is hardly mentioned, so we wanted to remind people of Baranavichy about the basic ideas of our Declaration. We have fulfilled all requirements of the law, and entered into written agreements with the police, doctors and housing service, but they keep prohibiting our public events,” said Ryhor Hryk.

The picket was expected to involve about 10 people.