Leader of “Civil Initiatives” sues Belarusian MFA

17.11.2008. Tags: international organizations, NGOs.
Source: Charter`97.

Public activist Uladzimer Katsora of Homel went to law demanding decision of the UN Commission on Human Rights on reopening the regional non-governmental organisation “Civil Initiatives” to be fulfilled.

“Being deputy head of the organisation, I applied the Сentralny district court of Minsk on behalf of the “Civil Initiatives” with a complaint against actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affaires. This ministry is responsible for fulfilling international agreements by Belarus. A decision of the UN Commission on Human Rights is a part the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

In my view, when the MFA received a letter from us, it should have sent its proposals to the Ministry of Justice or to Homel Department of Justice responsible for registration of regional civil organisations. The Department of Justice must execute the decision of the UN Commission,” Uladzimer Katsora said in an interview to RFE/RL.

By the way, the regional department of justice initiated judicial process on closing of the “Civil Initiatives”. The UN Commission, the Homel activist applied to, recognised the liquidation unlawful.

Uladzimer Katsora said he addressed the MFA, the Ministry of Justice, and the Constitutional Court in order them to fulfil the decision of the UN Commission on Human Rights. But these instances, each within the limits of its power, refused. That is why the activist had to go to law.