In March of this year, the human rights activist Pavel Levinau put before the General Directorate of Justice of Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee the question of the relevant decisions of the Vitebsk city executive committee № 881 "On mass events in the city of Vitebsk" the current legislation. And a month later received a reply from Vitebsk Justice: decision is fully consistent with the Constitution and international treaties.
It should be noted that Mr. Levinau rightly raised this issue with the Department of Justice lawyers. After the decision of the city executive committee №881 so cleverly composed officers that since its adoption until the present time, that is for 6 years in a row, the citizens could not spend even a single (!) mass activities in Vitebsk.
The human rights activist argued tried to disprove the conclusion of the main justice department of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee on July 28, 2009 by the decision of Vitebsk city executive committee "On mass events in the city of Vitebsk" on July 10, 2009 in terms of its compliance with international treaties.
However, the head of the justice department of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Sergei Konopelko rejected all claims of human rights activist. According to the Chief Justice of Vitebsk, as a result of due diligence in relation to the decision №881 management issued a report containing a reasoned conclusion on compliance of the decision by the international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.
The situation is commented on the human rights activist Leonid Svetik: "Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Belarus, clearly states that the state is obliged to respect and ensure to all individuals civil and political rights. These rights, in particular, include the right to organize and conduct pickets, rallies and marches. Moreover, the state is obliged to adopt such laws and decisions, to get it right the citizens could realize as much as possible simply. Other conduct on the part of the authorities will be perceived by the international community as an uncivilized and undemocratic. "
"Perhaps, the decision of Vitebsk city executive committee № 881" On mass events in the city of Vitebsk "formally corresponds to the current legislation. But in fact this decision destroys the principles of a democratic state – in every possible way for citizens to exercise their rights and freedoms. Therefore, a human rights activist Pavel Levinau right in his claims against the decision which prevents the realization of citizens' right to public events in Vitebsk", – Leonid Svetik says.
Vitebsk Spring
