Trade Unions don't want to protest in Park of 60th anniversary of USSR

The Electronics Industry Trade Union in Baranavichy asks to clean the park that was chosen by the authorities as a venue for mass events.

Ryhor Hryk, an activist of the Baranavichy branch of the Electronics Industry Trade Union, filed an appeal to the local city executive committee asking to clean and rename the old park of the 60th anniversary of the USSR. The appeal was signed by 120 people, Viasna human rights centre reports.

“We think the names of the parks are out of date. They lost their importance, so we need to give them Belarusian names that would reflect the present. But it is only a part of the problem.

Decision of the city executive committee No.1497 of 16.06.2009 “On the order of holding mass events in Baranavichy” chose the old park as a venue for mass events. But the park is very dirty. It doesn't even have a public toilet. The long reconstruction of the park seems endless. The problem must be solved. Our appeal was filed to turn attention to the city authorities and public to the raised problems,” trade union activist Ryhor Hryk said.

He adds if local officials don't react to the appeal, the activists would contact higher authorities with a proposal to put city parks in order.