All events scheduled for IDAHO in Minsk are banned by city authorities
15/05/2012
Submitted by
Viachaslau Bortnik
The Minsk City Executive Committee did not permit to hold picket in front of the Belarusian Popular Front (homophobic conservative opposition party) headquarters, as well as pickets of LGBT activists on Nyamiha on Bangalore Squares. Applicants are going to file legal complaints.
The purpose of of the picket in front of the BPF offices was to protest homophobic remarks by Deputy Chairman Alexander Streltsov and his calls for discrimination against sexual and gender minorities in Belarus. Picket at a distance of more than 50 meters from the entrance to the office of the BPF with the total number of participants of 15 people was not allowed "in accordance with Article 9 of the Law About Public Events in the Republic of Belarus: "the holding of public events is not permitted closer than 50 meters from the territory of the local administrative and executive bodies."
The purpose of the planned pickets on Nemiga and Bangalore Squares were to inform Minsk citizens about IDAHO. Demonstration on Bangalore Square was banned on the grounds of planned construction works on the site. A picket of 10 people in Nyamiha Square, according to city authorities, will impede the functioning of public institutions.
"Homophobia is something that deeply unites political opposition and government. First calls for violence and discrimination against LGBT people, and others discriminate against and prohibit any gatherings of LGBT community," said the chairman of GayBelarus Siarhei Androsenka .
The purpose of of the picket in front of the BPF offices was to protest homophobic remarks by Deputy Chairman Alexander Streltsov and his calls for discrimination against sexual and gender minorities in Belarus. Picket at a distance of more than 50 meters from the entrance to the office of the BPF with the total number of participants of 15 people was not allowed "in accordance with Article 9 of the Law About Public Events in the Republic of Belarus: "the holding of public events is not permitted closer than 50 meters from the territory of the local administrative and executive bodies."
The purpose of the planned pickets on Nemiga and Bangalore Squares were to inform Minsk citizens about IDAHO. Demonstration on Bangalore Square was banned on the grounds of planned construction works on the site. A picket of 10 people in Nyamiha Square, according to city authorities, will impede the functioning of public institutions.
"Homophobia is something that deeply unites political opposition and government. First calls for violence and discrimination against LGBT people, and others discriminate against and prohibit any gatherings of LGBT community," said the chairman of GayBelarus Siarhei Androsenka .
