Human Rights Day picket banned in Baranavichy

Baranavichy City Executive Committee banned the picket dedicated to the 66th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, organized by the human rights activists Viachaslau Bolbat and Siarhei Housha.

This follows from a letter by the deputy head of Baranavichy CEC Dz. Kastsiukevich where it is stated that the authorities didn't agree to conduct of the picket. The official believes that the applicants violated Article 5 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of December 12, 1997 No. 114-3 “On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus” and paragraph 4 of the regulation of Baranavichy City Executive Committee of June 16, 2009 No. 1497 “On the order of conduct of mass events in the city of Baranavichy”.

“We have timely filed out application and attached the contracts for serving of our event by the city polyclinic and the public utilities. According to the ruling of the Council of Ministers of March 5, 2012 No. 207, the executive committee needs to file a copy of the application to the law-enforcement agencies. That's why I believe that we have implemented all legal requirements, while the executive committee continues ignoring the ruling of the Council of Ministers,” commented Siarhei Housha. The human rights activist added that he blankly disagreed with the decision of the Baranavichy authorities and would appeal it at court.