Czechoslovakia Bans Human Rights Rally

Czechoslovak authorities have banned plans for the first publicly announced demonstration by the Charter 77 human rights movement, emigre sources said Saturday.

The demonstration was to be held in Prague’s Old Town Square on Thursday, which is U.N. Human Rights Day. The reason given for the ban was that demonstrations could be held only by officially recognized groups, the sources said. Authorities have sought to suppress activities by Charter 77, whose followers say they are part of an informal movement rather than a structured organization.