News on the topic: freedom of expression
02.08.2013 Vitsebsk journalists receive threat letters
The same day Siarhei Serabro and Alena Stsiapanava received analogical letters with the heading “Know, what your tongue can lead you to”. Somebody, who signed as Yauhen Mishakou, criticizes there the information policy of Radio “Liberty” and “BelaPAN” and insults independent journalists. Though no names are mentioned in the letter, the author's intentions are quite clear.
01.08.2013 Baranavichy activists gets fined for “participation” in canceled public event
Katsiaryna Hruda, Judge of the Baranavichy City and District Court, fined the head of the Baranavichy organization of the Belarusian Language Society, activist of the “For Freedom” movement Viktar Syrytsa 2 million rubles.
01.08.2013 Pickets in support of Ales Bialiatski are still banned in Belarus
Human rights activist Siarhei Housha and social activist Viktar Syrytsa received a letter signed by the deputy chairman of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee, Dz. Kastsiukevich. They were informed that the executive committee doesn't permit holding an informational picket on 4 August 2013 in support of the imprisoned human rigths activist Ales Bialiatski, who has spent two years in prison already.
31.07.2013 Vitsebsk authorities ban pickets in support of Ales Bialiatski
Vitsebsk executive authorities banned four pickets of solidarity with the imprisoned Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski expected to be held by local human rights defenders Pavel Levinau and Leanid Svetsik. The pickets were scheduled for August 4.
29.07.2013 Homel authorities ban march in support of Ales Bialiatski
The march in support of Ales Bialiatski was banned by Homel executive authorities, since the procession route covers an underground passage and the building of the executive committee.
25.07.2013 Picket against Russian military base banned due to pedestrians
The Minsk city executive committee decline the BPF party's application for holding a picket against setting up a Russian military base in Belarus.
25.07.2013 Vitsebsk authorities ban 3 pickets on Independence Day
Vitsebsk pro-democratic activists Khrystafor Zhaliapau and Aliaksei Haurutsikau were going to mark the anniversary of the proclamation of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Belarus with a picket of solidarity with political prisoners. However, the event was banned by Pershamaiski district administration.
19.07.2013 Minsk Regional Court rejects picket ban appeal
The judicial board of Minsk Regional Court upheld Salihorsk district court's decision to ban a rally on Freedom Day applied for by a local pro-democratic activist Uladzimir Shyla.
15.07.2013 Baranavichy court supports ban on Milavidy feast
On 15 July the proceedings on the appeal of an activist of the civic campaign "Tell the Truth!" Viachaslau Bolbat against the actions of the Baranavichy Distrit Executive Committee continued at the Baranavichy City and District Court.
12.07.2013 Baranavichy: trial on the prohibition of Milavidy feast postponed to 15 July
On 12 July the hearings on the appeal of an activist of the civic campaign "Tell the Truth" Viachaslau Bolbat against the bans on the Milavidy fest in the memory of insurgents of 1863, issued by the Baranavichy District Executive Committee on 3 and 20 May, took place at the Baranavichy District and City Court.
12.07.2013 Mahiliou resients require apologies from Lukashenka for threat to "tear off heads"
Eleven residents of Mahiliou expressed dissatisfaction with the facts of advocating violence, rudeness and death threats addressed to state officials, allowed by the head of the state in the live air of the Belarusian TV.
09.07.2013 Slonim District Prosecutor upholds regular bans on mass events
A few weeks ago the head of the Slonim organization of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, Ivan Bedka, complained to the prosecutor of the Slonim district about the ban on a picket in support of physician Ivan Sheha. "For ten years, the Slonim District Executive Committee hasn't authorized any mass events of democratic forces in Slonim. Thereby officials routinely violate my constitutional right to peaceful assemblies," wrote Mr. Bedka.
26.06.2013 Vitsebsk court to hear appeals of 3 picket bans
Three applications for pickets – three bans. This is how one can briefly describe the history of the recent communication of Vitsebsk resident Viktar Zharkou with the district administrations. Now Viktar Zharkou has filed complaints with the courts of all the three districts of Vitsebsk against officials who deprived him of the opportunity to inform people about the violation of his rights by the police.
21.06.2013 Baranavichy activist appeals ban on Milavidy Festival
An activist of the civil campaign “Tell the Truth”, Viachaslau Bolbat, filed yesterday a complaint with the district court of Baranavichy and Baranavichy district to challenge the actions of the district executive committee, which, according to the activist, twice illegally banned an educational and cultural event entitled “Milavidy Festival – In Memory of the Kasiniery of 1863.”
18.06.2013 Slonim authorities ban picket of support to dismissed doctor
Slonim residents Ivan Bedka and Viktar Marchyk addressed on May 30 Slonim district executive committee with an application for permission to stage a picket on June 27 in support of a local trauma surgeon, Ivan Sheha. They recently received a written response from the committee signed by the deputy chairman, Viktar Kot.
