Youth stage picket in front of Minsk City Hall on Human Rights Day
Youngsters demand freedom of assembly on Human Rights Day in Minsk. Activists of Citizen campaign have mounted the so called "wall of shame" in front of Minsk City Hall building, with the copies of their applications for mass actions. The Minsk authorities rejected all of them.
Siarhei Khelman, chairman of ideology department at Minsk City Hall, came out and told the youth their action was not allowed. "It is not authorized by Minsk City Hall. You did not file your application!", he said.
"Recently, we filed 500 applications on various humorous topics: assembly of honey fans, long-sleep fans, etc. Do we have to file the 501th application? Doe it make sense?", youth activist Mikita Krasnou told the official. "It is Human Rights Day today, and we have the right to assemble and express our protest!"
Mikita Krasnou explained the goal of their action on Human Rights Day.
"We are displaying that there is no freedom of assembly in Belarus. Citizens are not allowed to speak out on various issues. The state bans us from holding any events. We are disagreeing. We are saying there should be no application for assemblies!"
Public Safety Police Chief Ihar Yauseyeu
Minsk City Police Department deputy chief Ihar Yauseyeu was among dozens of plainclothed policemen:
"I am going you 5 minutes to wrap it up! Your offence is being video taped. You will be subjected to administrative prosecution! What's your name?"
Just one in three will reach October Square
Police 'escorts'
Hi subordinates were rude to the youngsters, tore the posters, pushed and stepped on youngsters' feet. Ihar Yauseyeu would not react to that. Instead, he shouted:
"If you make an attempt to walk on [Independence] avenue, I will have to take adequate measures!"
Despite the police, some youngsters reached October Square.
October Square in Minsk
Out of 30 people who initially came, only 10 reached the square. The rest were picked, pushed and threatened", action participant Vyachaslau Dziyanau told Euroradio.
It looked like detentions were going to happen. But, the youth were not scared.
"I guess 15 days in the detention center on Akrestsina Street is a standard rest", Mikita Krasnou said ironically. "I am ready to defend my position and suffer from it. Moreover, it's Human Rights Day today. It will only prove in which country we live and if laws work".
Citizen campaign activists promised to continue their actions.
Photo by Citizen campaign
Siarhei Khelman, chairman of ideology department at Minsk City Hall, came out and told the youth their action was not allowed. "It is not authorized by Minsk City Hall. You did not file your application!", he said.
"Recently, we filed 500 applications on various humorous topics: assembly of honey fans, long-sleep fans, etc. Do we have to file the 501th application? Doe it make sense?", youth activist Mikita Krasnou told the official. "It is Human Rights Day today, and we have the right to assemble and express our protest!"
Mikita Krasnou explained the goal of their action on Human Rights Day.
"We are displaying that there is no freedom of assembly in Belarus. Citizens are not allowed to speak out on various issues. The state bans us from holding any events. We are disagreeing. We are saying there should be no application for assemblies!"
Public Safety Police Chief Ihar Yauseyeu
Minsk City Police Department deputy chief Ihar Yauseyeu was among dozens of plainclothed policemen:
"I am going you 5 minutes to wrap it up! Your offence is being video taped. You will be subjected to administrative prosecution! What's your name?"
Just one in three will reach October Square
Police 'escorts'
Hi subordinates were rude to the youngsters, tore the posters, pushed and stepped on youngsters' feet. Ihar Yauseyeu would not react to that. Instead, he shouted:
"If you make an attempt to walk on [Independence] avenue, I will have to take adequate measures!"
Despite the police, some youngsters reached October Square.
October Square in Minsk
Out of 30 people who initially came, only 10 reached the square. The rest were picked, pushed and threatened", action participant Vyachaslau Dziyanau told Euroradio.
It looked like detentions were going to happen. But, the youth were not scared.
"I guess 15 days in the detention center on Akrestsina Street is a standard rest", Mikita Krasnou said ironically. "I am ready to defend my position and suffer from it. Moreover, it's Human Rights Day today. It will only prove in which country we live and if laws work".
Citizen campaign activists promised to continue their actions.
Photo by Citizen campaign
