The amendments were initiated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs after a series of successful silent protests of citizens who disagree with the policies of the government, which occurred in summer. The House of Representatives passed in two readings a bill aimed precisely against such events. It is important to note that the amendments were considered in secret. On 3 October, at the start of autumn session, the journalists did not, as usual, receive the agenda for the first meeting. There had been distributed only the common list of 39 questions that the deputies will consider during the entire autumn session. The bill “On bankruptcy” was considered in the first reading and then it was announced that personnel matters will be considered later. The work was adjourned for the preparation of ballots, and the broadcast of the meetings to the press centre was closed down. Therefore the meeting, dedicated to discussion of the document took place without journalists.

No penalty for “inaction” for now
At first it was suggested to add to the eighth paragraph of Article 2 the following sentence: “Massive presence of people in a pre-determined public place (including outdoors) and set time with the intention to carry out pre-planned action or inaction, organized (including through Internet or other networks) for public expression of their social and political attitudes or protest is equated to picketing ” Later, the deputies replaced the words “action or inaction” by the word “acts”.

Among other things, the bill provides wider powers for law enforcement officers. According to the bill, now they have the right to fence in the locations of events, take photos and videos, require citizens to leave the place of the mass action if they violate public order, prevent the admission of citizens to the location of mass event considering the capacity of the specified location.

Deputy Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media of the House of Representatives Anatol Hlaz (left) spoke about major changes in existing law during the press conference held on 5 September. Deputies have specified the term “picketing”:

“Unauthorized gatherings of citizens, including through Internet social networks are also classified as “picketing” Article 8 also supplemented with a provision which stipulates that prior to permission for holding mass event, the organizer has no right to declare, including through the Internet, the date, time and place of the meeting. Such changes in these articles will include all sorts of flash mobs, and similar actions to picketing. “

HR defenders: “It’s just a draconian law.”

The Chairman of BHK Law Commission Hary Pahaniayla (left) said that the most important of these amendments is that they equate a protest action to picketing. This means that one must obtain permission from the authorities for their organisation:

“In short, everything was done so that no one could even think of mass actions. And would forget about them. It’s just a draconian law, which deprives our citizens of their right to freedom of peaceful protest and assembly. “

According to human rights defender Valiantsin Stefanovich (right), that is authorities’ response to the silent protests in the country and the campaign “Stop petrol.”

 “In fact, flash mobs are now brought under the law on mass events. So, if there is a flash mob planned to express one’s attitude to something, including by inaction – for example, to stand and be silent – it will be seen as a picket. They will probably charge the people who make flash mobs, not under Article 17.1 (disorderly conduct), but now they will be charged as participants of an unauthorized mass event. Previously, they had to think up swearing as an excuse to arrest people. This is a continuation of the restriction of the right to peaceful assembly at the legislative level. “

***
The next stage of the adoption of amendments and changes to the law is approval of the Council of the Republic. Its next meeting is scheduled for 21 October.

Related articles

Belarusians are tried for silence and clapping

Belarusians detained and beaten up for silence

Human rights organisation from 16 countrues addressed Belarusian authorities