News on the topic: freedom of expression
29.03.2011 Lyapis Trubetskoi’s concerts cancelled in Minsk
According to “Reactor”, the reason is technical but has not been defined yet. The Lyapises are thinking about the cancellation of the last 3 concerts of their tour.
21.03.2011 Local authorities ban 25 March solidarity pickets
Vitsebsk, Barysau, Polatsk and Navapolatsk authorities dismissed applications for holding a number of pickets of solidarity with political prisoners on 25 March submitted by local pro-democratic activists.
21.03.2011 Viasna protests against bans and censorship of musical bands
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” has released a statement protesting against the reimposure of anti-Constitutional practice of bans and censorship of musical bands and performers.
21.03.2011 Mahiliou and Homel authorities ban 25 March solidarity pickets
Mahiliou and Homel city executive committees dismissed applications for holding pickets of solidarity with political prisoners scheduled by local pro-democratic activists for 25 March.
17.03.2011 Polatsk court upholds picket ban
On 16 March, Polatsk Town and District Court dismissed an appeal lodged by local activist Mr. Kalesnik against official of the town executive committee Mrs. Hanebnaya, who banned a picket of solidarity with the victims of the 19 December 2010 police crackdown scheduled for 19 February.
04.02.2011 Minsk authorities criminalize last legal rally location
Minsk city executive committee dismissed an application for holding a picket in Minsk Bangalore Square on 5 February, lodged by local activists of Fair World leftist party, reports www.udf.by, quoting the party’s deputy chair Valery Ukhnaliou.
19.11.2010 Minsk Court turns down complaint against picket ban
Minsk Maskouski Court has dismissed a complaint against a ban on holding a picket imposed by the city executive committee. The picket’s objective was to draw public attention to mass violations of criminal and procedural legislation, including groundless detentions of civil activists in early September 2010.
25.10.2010 Minsk authorities ban another picket
Minsk city executive committee banned a picket, scheduled for 30 October and aimed at attracting public attention to mass violations of criminal legislation.
The official reply by the committee’s deputy chair Mr. Tsitsiankou argues that the picket cannot be held on the location applied for by civil activists, since it could allegedly ‘impair pedestrian and road traffic.’
10.09.2010 Minsk authorities ban informational pickets
Mr. Tsitsiankou, Deputy Chairperson of the Minsk City Executive Committee, thinks that such actions will hinder the movement of pedestrians.
03.09.2010 Minsk authorities ban pillow fight dedicated to anniversary of battle of Orsha
The Minsk City Executive Committee refused to authorize the action Pillow Fight which was planned for 8 September to mark the Battle of Orsha.
30.08.2010 Mazyr authorities ban meeting at site of self-immolation by Jews
Mazyr town authorities banned a meeting at the site of self-immolation committed by some 20 Jews on 31 August 1941, the BelaPAN news agency reports, quoting Pavel Nazdra, chair of the Belarusian Society for the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Monuments.
18.08.2010 Mahilou city authorities forbid municipal pickets
Protests against increasing utility bills are planned to be held near the building of the former culture center.
Activists of the organizing committee on creating the Freedom and Progress Party planned to have pickets to gather signatures for solving community problems, such as polyclinic construction, repairing roads and pedestrian street extending, but the pickets were banned in Mahilou, BelaPAN reports.
13.08.2010 Authorities ban August 16 opposition march
The Minsk city government has denied permission for opposition forces to stage a march and a rally on August 16 to demand an international investigation into the disappearances of four opponents of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, BelaPAN reports.
12.08.2010 Mahiliou regional authorities ban ‘Havary Praudu’ pickets
Mahiliou city executive committee banned a picket for nominating Uladzimer Niakliayeu, head of the ‘Rukh Naperad’ association, for participation in the forthcoming All-Belarusian People’s Congress, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
11.08.2010 Belarusian trade union divested a right for legal protest
Salihorsk district executive committee has prohibited for the Belarusian Independent Trade Union holding a picket against violation of trade union members’ rights planned on August 14.