News on the topic: freedom of expression
07.06.2013 Baranavichy activists ask how the authorities will implement Views of UN Human Rights Committee
On 7 June human rights defenders and social activists Siarhei Housha, Viktar Meziaka and Viktar Syrytsa filed an appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which they asked to be provided with information on measures taken by Belarus to implement the pinions of the UN Committee on Human Rights, set out on 27 July 2012.
05.06.2013 Baranavichy: prosecutor's office turns into post office
Civic activist Viktar Syrytsa received a letter signed by the head of the police department of the Baranavichy Executive Committee V. Herasimovich. There it is stated that his complaint against the refusal of an officer of the police department, major Piatro Kulhavik, to sign a contract for guarding the 25 May picket, was concidered, but no "violations of discipline and the legal order order were found in the actions of officers of the Baranavichy City Police Department."
27.05.2013 Radio Racyja Hrodna journalist receives fifth denial of accreditation
Viktar Parfionenka, journalist of the Poland-based Radio Racyja, received another denial of accreditation from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a fifth ban over the past five years.
22.05.2013 Baranavichy authorities ban Milavidy festival
Baranavichy executive committee issued another ban on holding Milavidy festival dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Milavidy during the 1863 anti-Russian Uprising. Previously, we reported that the cultural and educational event was scheduled for June 2, but the executive committee dismissed local activists’ bid, saying that “on this day and in this place the cultural department of Baranavichy district executive committee scheduled its own event in connection with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Milavidy, so the holding of another event on the subject is not appropriate.”
20.05.2013 Salihorsk: Ban on Freedom Day picket appealed to Regional Court
Activist Uladzimir Shyla is appealing a ban imposed by Salihorsk district executive committee on a mass event expected to be held on Freedom Day. The appeal will be heard by Minsk Regional Court.
13.05.2013 Ministry of Justice recognizes actions of Salihorsk District Court as unlawful
The Ministry of Justice took the side of the "Young Front" activist Andrei Tychyna in his long-standing dispute with the Salihorsk District Court.
08.05.2013 Salihorsk Court dismisses appeal against Freedom Day picket ban
Salihorsk District Court didn't grant the appeal of civic activist Uladzimir Shyla against the ban of the picket he intended to hold on Freedom Day, 25 March. The trial was lead by the deputy-head of the court Ala Trafimchuk.
06.05.2013 Baranavichy District Executive Committee bans Milavidy Feast on 150th anniversary of battle of Milavidy
Baranavichy City Executive Committee banned Milavidy feast, planned by the local public for 2 June 20113 and dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Milavidy battle of 1863. This became known from the letter, signed by the deputy head of Baranavichy District Executive Committee Anatol Filanchuk, received by the feast organizers Viachaslau Bolbat, Teresa Silivonchyk and Viktar Syrytsa.
03.05.2013 Brest: authorities bann pickets in honor of Yury Zakharanka
Brest activists of the United Civil Party filed 12 applications to Brest City Executive Committee to hold pickets and remind about the fate of the former Minister of Interior Yury Zakharanka on 7 May (he went missing back on 7 May 1999).
30.04.2013 Minsk authorities ban May Day rally
Minsk city executive committee dismissed an application of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BCDTU) asking for permission to hold a rally in support of workers’ rights on 1 May, bdkp.org reports.
25.04.2013 UCP Mahiliou activists denied permission to hold Yury Zakharanka memorial picket
Mahiliou city executive committee banned a memorial picket to mark the 14th anniversary of the disappearance of former Minister of Defense Yury Zakharanka on the grounds that the UCP activists were going to stage the event in a location not approved by the officials.
24.04.2013 Another picket banned in Vitsebsk
Yan Dziarzhautsau, member of the Conservative Christian Party BPF, has been unable to sign a contract with the city’s medical service to hold a mass rally for the third time in a row. The picket on the anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy was banned by the local authorities exactly on the basis that there was no agreement with the health care department and police administration.
23.04.2013 Vitsebsk authorities ban two rallies to mark Chernobyl disaster anniversary
A total of three applications were submitted. The activists have so far received two replies, while one is yet left unanswered, although an official response should have been issued at least five days prior to the scheduled event.
22.04.2013 Young Front activist appeals violations by Salihorsk court to Ministry of Justice
The Young Front member Andrei Tychyna sent to the Ministry of Justice a complaint against the delay in issuing a ruling by Salihorsk District Court.
18.04.2013 Homel court upholds picket ban
Judge Zhanna Andreichyk of the Court of Homel’s Tsentralny District considered yesterday the complaint of civil activist Kanstantsin Zhukouski about a ban on holding a picket on 1 April imposed by the city executive committee. The activist and his associates were planning to hold a rally under a slogan “Homel City Executive Committee! Hands Off History!” in order to attract public attention to the destruction of unique wooden buildings in the center of Homel.
