Deputy Head of Administration of the Railway District Natalia Lepeshkina, perhaps, is the leader among the officials of Viciebsk on the number of the decision to ban peaceful demonstrations, requests for which continually serves the citizens to the executive authorities. Recipient of the next ban from Mrs. Lepeshkina became a human rights activist Leonid Svetik, who wanted to hold a rally on August 4.
The reason for the ban – for the traditional Viciebsk: the lack of service contracts with workers share utilities, law enforcement officers and physicians. Social and political activists have sought to achieve the conclusion of such contracts from government agencies and organizations of the city. But to meet them are only the utility, the police and doctors always find some reason to not enter into contracts.
Leonid Svetik, submitting an application for a picket, foresaw that the government is likely to ban the action because of the absence of a treaty. Therefore I asked the district administration to instruct the appropriate services to sign contracts with the organizers of the picket.
Officials did not give such an order, and Mrs. Lepeshkina explained defender, who also informed the district administration about the duty of the authorities to ensure public order at the event, health and public services at the expense of the state, that the payment of expenses related to the protection of public order, health services during mass events and cleaning at the venue, provided by the law "On mass events in Belarus".
Leonid Svetik no coincidence that it wanted to hold a rally on August 4. This day defenders was declared the International Day of Solidarity with civil society of Belarus. It happened after August 4, 2011 in Minsk was arrested the head of the human rights center "Viasna" Ales Bialiatski, who eventually was imprisoned for three years.
"The applications for holding pickets in the International Day of Solidarity with civil society of Belarus Vitsebsk human rights activists fed every year. And every year, the authorities have banned the pickets. In the current situation, such a reaction of the authorities to our requests programmed position as the human rights situation in the country as a whole and with the freedom of peaceful assembly in Viciebsk. In fact, to allow the pickets, rallies and meetings, there is the political will of local authorities. Giving citizens the opportunity to voice their thoughts and ideas considered inappropriate," – commented Vitsebsk human rights activist Lepeshkina ban on picket.
"But in spite of all the bans, Viciebsk human rights through the media will bring to the citizens about the fact that in today's Belarus in prison are political opponents of the current government. These people who have been convicted for their political and civil position internationally recognized political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. Our citizenship hopefully reduce their suffering, and to encourage them to contribute to the speedy release," – said Leonid Svetik.
Vitebsk Spring
