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Opposition activist in Homyel complains to UN Human Rights Committee about demonstrations bans

Eduard Nelyubovich, an activist of the United Civic Party resident in Homyel, has complained to the UN Human Rights Committee about the city government’s decisions to ban two demonstrations last year.

Last November, the Homyel authorities denied permission for a demonstration in support of human rights defender Ales Byalyatski, who was in prison at that time. One month later, the activist’s application for permission to demonstrate in support of Ukraine’s pro-EU protesters was also rejected.

Mr. Nelyubovich has taken the case to the UN organization after courts in Belarus turned down his complaints about the bans, according to human rights defenders.

Andrey Zabara, deputy chairman of the Supreme Court, told the activist that the bans did not run counter to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights because the treaty allegedly allowed restrictions on peaceful assemblies.

Mr. Nelyubovich insists in the complaint that his rights to freely express his opinion and organize peaceful assemblies were violated by the Homyel authorities, and notes that the Belarusian government has failed to fulfill the UN’s recommendation that national laws governing demonstrations should be brought into line with the country’s international obligations.

The UN organization earlier upheld similar complaints from Homyel-based opposition activists Uladzimir Syakerka and Uladzimir Kirsanaw. // BelaPAN