Representatives of political parties and public organizations appealed to the Viciebsk City Council deputies with a proposal to charge the City Executive Committee to amend its decision of July 10, 2009 № 881 "On mass events in the city of Viciebsk". The appeal was signed by local leaders of the BPF Party, the Belarusian Left Party "Fair World", the United Civil Party and the movement "For Freedom".

As you know, Viciebsk city executive committee in its decision number 881 made it impossible to conduct public actions by the opposition parties, public associations and movements. According to the decision to get permission from local authorities to carry out a mass event, the organizers are obliged to first conclude a service contract with the regional event militia control or district department of internal affairs, city center clinic and community services.

As shown, these urban services, except for representatives of housing, refuse to enter into contracts. Often, their failures, they explain the lack of official permission for the rally. A vicious circle, and try to break that Viciebsk oppositionists.

The fact that in the six years that have passed since 2009, Viciebsk officials have not given permission for at least one opposition action demonstrates, according to civil society and party activists, the absolute arbitrariness of the local bureaucracy, which, being uncontrolled by the public, blatantly violates constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms.

In his address at the Viciebsk city council deputies of opposition proposes the following changes in the decision number 881: "Allow pickets no more than 3 participants on application principle in Viciebsk city executive committee without a contract with the department (division) of the Interior, with the establishment of health “Viciebsk city center clinic” and the Unitary communal production enterprise “Viciebsk city housing and communal services”. Responsibility for the maintenance of order and the sanitary condition of the venue to entrust the organizers of the event."

Authors appeal to the city council also offer "to indicate the places where it is prohibited to carry out such activities". According to them, if their proposal will be heard by the authorities, and the decision of the executive committee number 881 will be reversed, it is much easier to hold pickets and contribute to the democratization of society.

Says one of the signatories of the proposal, the chairman of the regional organization of the Belarusian Left Party "Fair World" Nicholas Selivashko:

"Our proposal is based on the experience of pickets during the current presidential campaign. As stated by representatives of the government structures and influential circles, control services and observers at different levels, no violations of the organizers and participants of pickets had been committed. And if so, why outside election campaigns, we cannot exercise their constitutional right? Is popularize parties and direct contact with people in the framework of the law through pickets carries a certain threat to society, and is not part of normal everyday social and political life?"

S. Horki