News on the topic: freedom of expression
06.04.2012 Minsk authorities ban LGBT picket
On 6 April it became known that Minsk City Executive Committee rejected the application of Aliaksei Kulik, activist of the human rights project "GayBelarus" Aliaksei Kulik for holding a picket "Day of Silence: We keep silent to be heard". LGBT activists intended to hold a picket near houses #8-10 in Mayakouski Street.
03.04.2012 Vitsebsk: Aliaksandr Kirylau not allowed to hold picket
Aliaksandr Kirylau, an activist of unregistered Belarusian Conservative Party "Belaya Rus", visited Vitsebsk City Executive Committee in order to file an application for picketing. However, the head of the citizens' applications department refused to explain how such applications are to be filled.
27.03.2012 Vitsebsk opposition activist sues executive officials
Vitsebsk member of the Conservative Christian Party-Belarusian Popular Front Yan Dziarzhautsau has lodged complaints with three district courts, contesting bans on holding pickets issued by the city’s executive authorities between 21 and 25 February.
23.03.2012 Former Latvian Prime Minister not allowed entering Belarus
The former Prime Minister of Latvia, a deputy of the European Parliament Ivar Godmanis has been prohibited entering Belarus.
22.03.2012 Freedom Day demonstration in Vitsebsk banned
Vitsebsk Kastrychnitski District Court has turned down a joint complaint by local pro-democratic activists Khrystafor Zhaliapau, Aliaksei Haurutsikau and Yan Dziarzhautsau against an earlier decision by the city’s executive committee to ban a manifestation and a meeting to celebrate the anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian People’s Republic on 25 March.
22.03.2012 Minsk authorities ban Conservative Christian Party from holding rally on BNR anniversary
The Minsk city authorities have denied permission to the Conservative Christian Party (CCP) for holding a rally in a Minsk park on March 25 to mark 94 years since the proclamation of the 1918 Belarusian National Republic.
22.03.2012 Ukrainian media adviser prohibited entering Belarus
On March 20 Oleg Khomenok was not allowed entering Belarus.
22.03.2012 Freedom Day celebrations banned in Mahiliou
Mahiliou opposition activists will not be able to hold an authorized meeting to celebrate Freedom Day on 25 March, after their application was dismissed by local executive authorities.
21.03.2012 Freedom Day rallies banned in Baranavichy and Hrodna
On 20 March Baranavichy civil activist Ryhor Hryk received an official reply from the city executive committee imposing a ban on staging a picket commemorating the 94th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of the Belarusian People’s Republic (Freedom Day) on 25 March.
20.03.2012 Orsha authorities ban another picket
Orsha town executive authorities have banned another picket applied for by local activists of the United Leftist Party “Fair World”.
20.03.2012 Slonim residents appeal Freedom Day meeting ban
Slonim residents Mikalai Radkevich and Ivan Sheha have lodged a complaint with Slonim District Prosecutor’s Office and Hrodna Regional Executive Committee, appealing a ban imposed on holding a meeting on Freedom Day.
16.03.2012 Vileika Council member faces picket ban
Member of Vileika District Council Iosif Matsiun will not be able to hold a picket against violations of his Constitutional rights, after his application was dismissed by local executive authorities, www.vialeika.org reports.
16.03.2012 UN Human Rights Committee registers complaint by Barysau picketer
Barysau human rights defender Aleh Matskevich has received a reply from the UN Human Rights Committee saying that his complaint against several picket bans imposed by the town authorities has been registered by the Committee.
15.03.2012 Baranavichy police looking for author of information about unauthorized rally
On 15 March police major Vital Dabrachynski called civil activist Viktar Syrytsa to come to room #106 of the Baranavichy City Police Department. He wanted the activist to tell who the author of the information which was published on independent websites on 28 December 2011 and concerned an unauthorized rally the entrepreneur Mikalai Charnavus intended to hold was.
15.03.2012 Baranavichy: one-man picket banned
Deputy head of the Baranavichy city organization of the Belarusian Leftist Party "Fair World" received a letter signed by the deputy head of the Baranavichy City Executive Committee Dz. Kastsiukevich.
