Mahilioŭ Social Democrats face ban on May Day demonstration

According to Dzmitry Liuntou, member of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada), Mahilioŭ authorities have banned a peaceful assembly scheduled for May 1.

In his reply to the party’s application, Deputy Chairman of the Mahilioŭ city executive committee Andrei Kuntsevich referred to the fact that all demonstrations should be held on the right side of Čaliuskincaŭ Street.

Dzmitry Liuntou says that the stated purpose of the demonstration was a protest against Decree No. 3 “On prevention of social dependency”, protection of labor, social and political rights of the citizens of Belarus, as well as the celebration of the International Workers’ Day.

“The decision is predictable. It is a pity that the government ignores people who think differently, and sends them to hold a demonstration in a reservation on the outskirts of the city, where no one will find them,” says the activist.

Over the past two years, local authorities have not allowed a single mass event with the participation of the opposition, including in the authorized places.