Vitsebsk BPF activists forbidden to gather on Freedom Day
Vitsebsk BPF activists applied for a festive manifestation dated for Freedom Day. They wanted to conduct the action in the Railwaymen’s Park of Culture on Saturday, March 26. However, deputy head of Chuhunachny District administration Ms. Lyapyoshkina refused organizer Kanstatsin Smolikau, the human rights website Viasna reports.
The appeal was sent without the agreement required by article 3 of Vitsebsk City Executive Committee of July 10, 2009 #881 ‘’On Mass Events in Vitsebsk”, the official replied to Smolikau.
According to the agreement, organizers of mass events need to get permission from the communal services, medics and the police. However, polyclinic #1 and the regional police have not signed their agreements with the activists yet. Medics said that eth staff was very busy and the police can agree ‘to serve actions’ only when organizers receive the City Executive Committee’s permission.
The situation has been the same for seven years on end: Vistebskers have not been allowed to organize any actions since 2009.
