Baranavichy: human rights defender demands details from the authorities

August 7, human rights activist Siarhei Housha filed an appeal to the head of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee Yury Hramakouski, in which he requires an explanation on what basis the rally he, Viachaslau Bolbat and Ryhor Hryk intended to hold on July 27, was banned.

In the response of the executive committee № 01-15/05/1 from July 14, 2014, it is stated that the organizers of the mass action did not comply with Article 5 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of December 30, 1997. Number 114-Z "On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus" (in the edition for November 8, 2011 № 308-Z), and paragraph 4 of the regulation of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee for June 16, 2009. Number 1497, "On the order of holding mass events in Baranavichy" (as amended by the regulation of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee of October 5, 2009. № 2497).

In his appeal the human rights activist states that this is the standard answer of the Baranavichy CEC, from which it is unclear what exactly was violated by the applicants. Sergey Housha adds that back on January 29, 2014, seven people filed a collective appeal to the executive committee, asking to precisely mention in such answers which paragraph or part of the law or the regulation of the executive committee was violated by civil society activists while applying for permission to hold pickets, rallies or processions.

“However, the executive committee keeps banning mass events without specifying exactly what point of the law or the regulation on mass events is violated by us. Therefore, in my appeal I again repeated the question: please, indicate, what was concretely violated by me, Viachaslau Bolbat and Ryhor Hryk in Article 5 of the Law and paragraph 4 of the regulation of the Baranavichy CEC when applying for a picket on July 27. We are sure that all the requirements of the law and the regulation of the city executive committee were observed by us,” stated Mr. Housha.