Picket of human rights watchdogs against death penalty banned
2- 9.10.2009, 9:14
Human rights activists from Baranavichy were refused permission to hold a picket dedicated to the World Day Against the Death Penalty.
Viktar Syritsa, Karnej Pyatrovich and Syarhei Gousha sent an application for holding the picket was sent to Baranavichy city executive committee on September 24. They planned to hold the picket on October 10, which is declared the World Day Against the Death Penalty by the UN. The aim of the rally is to attract attention of society and authorities to the problem of death penalty in Belarus. The picket was planned to be held near the fountain in Khejnol Boulevard from the noon till 1 p.m.
As Syarhei Gousha told BelaPAN, the answer was received on October 8 and it was stated there that holding of the picket was refused, as the application didn’t conform to regulations and standards currently in force.
“It is not explained under what criterions it contradicts regulations and standards, so we find this answer a non-committal reply,” Gousha said. “Besides, the answer was received with violation of the term. According to the law “On mass events” we were to get an answer 5 days before the event”.
The activist plans to send a complaint to the prosecutor’s office.
