Homieĺ authorities ban anti-election protest
The Homieĺ city executive committee has banned a street protest that was expected to campaign for the boycott of the presidential election scheduled for October 11.
The official ban received by local human rights activists Anatol Paplauny, Viktar Kazlou and Leanid Sudalenka argues that the applicants did not fulfill legal requirements, in particular failed to arrange healthcare services and a clean-up of the territory. Moreover, the activists were going to demonstrate in the city’s central Savieckaja Street, which, according to officials, is prohibited by law.
According to human rights activist and lawyer Leanid Sudalenka, the ban will be appealed in court.
Over the past 10 years, the authorities of Homieĺ have not allowed a single protest by representatives of the democratic community. Appeals against the decisions bring no results. The UN Human Rights Committee is still the only way to find a violation. The Committee has repeatedly condemned violations of the rights of peaceful assembly in Homieĺ.
Despite this, officials continue prohibiting public expression of dissenting views in the city.
Source: gomelspring.org