belarus executive summary - US Department of State

BELARUS 29
Freedom of Assembly: The law criminalizes participation in the activities of
unregistered NGOs, training persons to demonstrate, financing of public
demonstrations, or solicitation of foreign assistance “to the detriment” of the
country. During the year the law was amended to also prohibit the announcing of
demonstrations, especially via the Internet or social networks, before they are
approved by authorities. Violations are punishable by up to three years in prison.
Authorities employed a variety of means to discourage demonstrations, break them
up, to minimize their impact, and punish the participants. Organizers must apply at
least 15 days in advance for permission to conduct a public demonstration, rally, or
meeting, and government officials are required to respond no later than five days
prior to the scheduled event. However, authorities generally refused permits to
opposition groups or granted permits only for demonstrations held far from city
centers. Authorities used intimidation and threats to discourage persons from
participating in demonstrations, openly videotaped participants, and imposed
heavy fines or jail sentences on participants in unsanctioned demonstrations.
During the year authorities broke up scores of unauthorized demonstrations, often
detaining and harassing participants. Numerous protest participants were detained,
fined, and sentenced to periods of up to 15 days in administrative detention. On
scores of occasions authorities fined opposition activists and members of NGOs for
participating in unauthorized protests. On many occasions police and other
security officials beat and detained demonstrators before, during, and after
unsanctioned peaceful demonstrations.
In early June an Internet-organized group known as Revolution through Social
Networks began calling for “silent” protests across the country to protest the
undemocratic rule of Lukashenka. The group urged people to assemble in areas
freely accessible to the public to express concern over economic and political
conditions without displaying any flags or banners or political identification and
without chanting any slogans.
On June 14, the prosecutor general warned against unsanctioned protests, and the
Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesman claimed that protests could lead to
“explosions and gunfire.” On June 15, several thousand people defied the
warnings and gathered in central Minsk and in approximately 20 other cities across
the country. The protesters silently marched and clapped their hands. Human
rights groups reported that more than 240 persons, including independent
journalists, were detained around the country. The vast majority were released
without charge within a few hours.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011
United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor