UN HRC accepts Belarusian's complaint against arrest for taking part in non-parasite rally
Uladzimir Katsora
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will consider the complaint of Homiel activist Uladzimir Katsora against the 12-day arrest for February’s protest against the so-called parasite tax.
After a peaceful protest in Homiel, Katsora and other protesters were summoned to the police and accused of violating the order of organizing mass events. Earlier, the activists vainly sought permission from the local authorities to hold a rally.
Uladzimir Katsora and other detainees believe that the Belarusian regime violated their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
In total, the protesters had to spend more than 60 days behind bars.
According to human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka, almost all Homiel activists, who were sentenced to days in prison for participating in the non-parasite marches, have exercised their right to submit individual complaints to the UN.
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Decree Nr 3 signed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka in April, 2015 established the obligation of the citizens of Belarus, foreign citizens permanently residing in Belarus, stateless persons, who did not participate in the financing of public spending or participated in such financing less than 183 days (six months – ed.) in the past year, to pay a fee of 20 basic units (appr. $230).
ukashenka vs parasite tax critics (ENG subtitles)
The notorious decree caused a massive public outcry. In February-March, protests were held in a number of Belarusian cities and towns.
On March 25, Belarusians came to main squares of their cities to protest the ‘parasite’ law and celebrate the unofficial Freedom Day. But the Minsk riot police brutally dispersed the protest. Hundreds of people – even women, elderly people, journalists and ordinary passers-by – were arrested, battered and jailed.
Police beating protesters on March, 25 (ENG subs)
February 20 was the latest date for paying the so-called tax on parasitism. Over 50,000 Belarusians complied with the demand. In total, about 470,000 received tax office letters. In March, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said the so-called law on idlers would stay in force, but tax collection would be postponed for a year.
belsat.eu
