New Campaign of State Persecution against Public Organizations

New Campaign of State Persecution against Public Organizations

April 2003 was defined by a new assault of the State on structures of civic society. During one week three suits for liquidation of large public organizations were filed.

Hrodna regional public association “Ratusha” is being liquidated for non-permitted editorial activity.

Public association “Agency of Regional Development “Varuta” (Baranavichy) is being liquidated for usage of shortened organization name in its internal documentation.

PA “Youth Christian Social Union” (Minsk) is being liquidated for the activity that allegedly contradicted to its statute (for instance, support to refugees) and non-presentation of the list of members to the Ministry of Justice.

Despite of the doubtful reasons for liquidation, there are no hopes for just trials. Liquidation of these organization can be a part of the “clear-up” on the eve of some new political campaign, for instance the referendum about prolongation of Lukashenka’s powers.

At the same time, Lukashenka issued Decree No. 13, prohibiting public organizations to represent interests of citizens at trials. Now human rights organizations have no right to defend at trials victims of the State persecution.

So, Belarusian authorities demonstrate their scorn to the April resolution of the UNO Human Rights Commission, where deep concern with State persecution of human rights organizations in Belarus was expressed.

Yury Chavusaw,
Lawyer of the Executive Bureau
At Assembly of NGOs.