News on the topic: freedom of expression
14.06.2011 Vitsebsk and Haradok: civil activists are banned to hold pickets for resignation of the government
The district authorities explained their refusals to authorize the actions by saying that neither the site near the Summer Amphitheatre in Vitebsk, nor the central square in Haradok were included in the list of areas identified for public events. However, civil activists don’t see any sense in holding such actions in the unfrequented places that were determined for such actions by the authorities.
13.06.2011 Brest: social-democrats aren’t allowed to hold a picket against poverty
The Brest City Executive Committee sent the Chair of the Brest organization of the Free Trade Union of Belarus, Deputy Chair of the Brest region organization of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada Valiantsin Lazarenka a denial to authorize the picket against poverty he wanted to hold on 17 June.
10.06.2011 Homel: opposition activists apply for authorization rally against poverty
Representatives of the Homel coalition Our Alternative applied for authorization of a rally against poverty on 3 July. Earlier they also applied for a picket in cooperation with the Young Front and the civil campaign Speak Truth.
07.06.2011 Salihorsk authorities ban protest rallies
The Salihorsk Town Executive Committee didn't authorize the actions of protest against the economic crisis that were scheduled for 11-12 June. The TEC Chair Aliaksandr Rymasheuski explained it with “the absence of clarity concerning the form of holding the mass events”.
06.06.2011 Mahiliou authorities ban picket against increase of prices
The Mahiliou City Executive Committee didn’t authorize a meeting against the increase of prices, inflation and decrease of the life standards of workers. The official reason for the ban is the failure of teh action organizers to conclude agreements with such state services as poilce, medics and public utilities.
16.05.2011 Vileika: court turned down appeal against ban of solidarity action
Yauhen Parchynski, an activist of Free Region, appealed the ban of the Freedom Day action, signed by Viachaslau Durnou, Deputy Chair of the Navapolatsk Town Executive Committee.
29.04.2011 Homel authorities reverse decision on May Day rally
On 28 April, Homel city authorities reversed their earlier decision on authorization of a May Day opposition rally applied for by local activists of the Fair World Belarusian United Left Party.
28.04.2011 Barysau authorities ban May Day picket
On 27 April, Barysau trade union activist Mikalai Pakhabau received a reply from local authorities denying permission for holding a picket on International Labour Solidarity Day – May 1.
22.04.2011 Picket on Chernobyl anniversary prohibited in Hrodna
The organizer of the action Vadzim Saranchukou will address to the public prosecutor's office for explanation of legal reasons for this.
22.04.2011 Salihorsk authorities ban Chernobyl remembrance rally
Salihorsk town authorities banned a meeting dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster due to “the absence of definiteness of the rally’s format”.
19.04.2011 Mahiliou pro-dem activists to appeal picket bans in court
On 18 April, a number of Mahiliou pro-democratic activists lodged a complaint with Leninski District Court against the bans of several pickets scheduled for 25-27 April.
19.04.2011 Babruisk authorities ban Chernobyl remembrance picket
Babruisk activists of the United Civic Party were not allowed holding a picket marking the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster, says local UCP leader Viktar Buzinayeu.
18.04.2011 Baranavichy authorities ban Chernobyl remembrance picket
Baranavichy town executive committee banned a picket marking the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster scheduled for 26 April.
14.04.2011 Salihorsk authorities ban pickets for stability and president
Aliaksandr Rymasheuski, Chair of the Salihorsk District Executive Committee, banned the pickets For Stability, For Our President and Against Picket Bans which a democratic activist Uladzimir Shyla wanted to hold in the only place where such actions are allowed by the local authorities – the Budaunik stadium on 15-16 April.
11.04.2011 Viasna condemns criminal prosecution of Andrzej Poczobut
On 28 March 2011, it was reported that Hronda Regional Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal proceedings against Andrzej Poczobut, reporter of the Polish Gazeta Wyborcza weekly and leader of the opposition Union of Poles. The journalist faces charges under Par. 1 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code (“insult of the President of the Republic of Belarus”) for eight publications in Gazeta Wyborcza, one article on www.belaruspartizan.org and a post in his personal blog www.poczobut.livejournal.com.
