Biaroza executive committee bans another picket
Biaroza human rights defenders Siarhei Rusetski, Tamara Shchepetkin and local civil society activist Tatsiana Tarasevich have been prohibited to stage a picket scheduled for July 27. The aim of the rally was to mark the 24th anniversary of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Belarus, earlier celebrated as Independence Day. The activists also planned to remind local residents of the deployment of Russian military bases on the territory of Belarus and the existence of political prisoners in the country.
The picket was banned as the activists failed to submit in due time contracts with organizations that were supposed to service the picket – local hospital and housing department. The activists believe that the authorities restricted freedom of expression of citizens, who do not agree with the current policy of the state.
Over the past 17 years, Biaroza officials have not allowed a single protest applied by local pro-democratic community. Meanwhile, pro-government organizations face no problems, and even receive financial assistance.
