Courts find bans on pickets lawful

Brest-based human rights activist Uladzimir Vyalichkin proposed an initiative to hold a picket to support the head of Viasna human rights centre.

He filed a claim to the court of first instance against the decision of the Brest authorities that banned to hold the picket, Viasna human rights centre informs.

The court of the Leninski district of Brest agreed with the decision of the Brest city authorities on April 17.

Uladizmir Vyalichkin says he expected such a ruling of the court, because one cannot hope in the current situation the actions of the local authorities regarding public events will be found illegal.

“Among the arguments in my claim I mentioned the fact that a decision by the city executive committee on defining a place for mass events restricts my rights and the rights of Brest dwellers, who want to carry out similar actions,” Uladzimir Vyalichkin said. “I think the refusal to have a picket was signed by a person who are not authorized to do this. But the court took the side of the city executive committee.”