News on the topic: freedom of expression
07.08.2014 Picket in support of political prisoners banned in Brest
Unlike other cities of Belarus, this action was scheduled fir 10 August, but the Brest City Executive Committee refused to authorize it, referring to the celebration of the Day of the builder.
06.08.2014 Vitsebsk: picket in support of political prisoners banned for traditional reasons
The event, aimed at reminding the people about the existence of political prisoners in modern Belarus, has been scheduled for August 4. However, human rights defender Leanid Svetsik wasn't allowed to hold it.
04.08.2014 “Viasna” activists banned from holding August 4 pickets in ten cities
Applications for pickets for release of political prisoners, filed by human rights activists within the framework of the Day of Solidarity with Belarusian civil society, were turned down by the local authorities in Navapolatsk, Vitsebsk, Homel, Mozyr, Rechytsa, Zhodzina, Barysau, Baranavichy, Smarhon and Mahiliou.
01.08.2014 Homel: court upholds ban on anti-corruption picket
Judge of the Tsentralny District Court of Homel Andrei Tsaluika found legal the actions of the executive committee, which did not allow the Left Party "Fair World" to hold a picket, and turned down the party's appeal. The peculiarity of the situation is that the leftists intended to hold the picket to support the actions of President of Belarus in his struggle against corruption.
01.08.2014 Mahiliou authorities ban picket for release of political prisoners
The picket was scheduled on August 4 in the city center close to the city administration.
30.07.2014 Human rights defenders sue Homel authorities
Human rights defenders Leanid Sudalenka and Anatol Paplauny have lodged a lawsuit with the Homel Tsentralny District Court against the City Executive Committee, who banned a picket in support of political prisoners scheduled for August 4.
28.07.2014 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.
23.07.2014 Three picket banned in Orsha
Orsha authorities have banned three street protests scheduled for July 27, the day of the adoption of the Declaration on State Sovereignty of Belarus. The events were applied for by local activists of the United Civil Party and were expected to be held in three locations, the Heroes Park, near the entrance to the Aronia cafe and in the textile workers’ recreation park. All the three venues are authorized for public events.
22.07.2014 Over 40 pickets banned in Homel
Following a long-lasting tradition, the Homel City Executive Committee has not given permission to a series of pickets. Local human rights defenders, activists of the pro-democratic organizations and political parties were planning to stage 40 protests in Homel on July 27 in order to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty.
17.07.2014 Brest Regional Court turns down appeal by Biaroza defenders
On July 14, the Brest Regional Court considered an appeal by Biaroza human rights defenders Tamara Shchapiotkina and Siarhei Rusetski, as well as local civil society activist Tatsiana Tarasevich. The claimants asked to reverse the decision of the Biaroza District Court, which confirmed a ban on a picket scheduled for March 25. They also urged the court to send the case for a new trial by another judge.
17.07.2014 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.
16.07.2014 Slonim authorities ban anti-alcohol picket
Ivan Bedka, a member of the Belarusian Christian Democracy’s Slonim branch, applied for holding a picket asking for official permission of the Slonim District Executive Committee. The picket was supposed to attract public attention to the problems of excessive use of alcohol and tobacco in Slonim.
15.07.2014 Brest authorities ban series of pickets for unity and independence of Ukraine
Brest activists of the regional organization of the United Civil Party were denied holding five pickets, aimed at promoting the values of state sovereignty and independence and the expression of solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their aspirations to preserve the integrity and independence of Ukraine.
11.07.2014 Another picket banned in Brest
As it is stated in the picket ban, signed by the deputy head of the Brest City Executive Committee Henadz Barysiuk it is stated that the picket could not be permitted, as some other actions, which were planned earlier, would be taking place in the park of soldiers-internationalists at the specified time.
11.07.2014 Homel authorities violate terms for answering while banning ecological picket
June 18, a campaigner of "People's Control" Andrei Melnikau applied to Homel City Executive Committee for permission to a picket aimed at drawing public attention to the poor state of water bodies within the boundaries of Homel.
