Justice Board of Vitsebsk CEC Warns “Veras”

As a result of the check-up of the public association “Veras” that lasted for more than three month, the Justice Board of Vitsebsk City Executive Committee warned the NGO.

The officials stated that according to its status “Veras” had no right to hold the round table on international relations in the region and couldn’t be engaged in voluntary activity.

The mentioned measure was held in Vitsebsk on 3 December 2003 within the framework of the project “Equality. Tolerance. Respect”. Representatives of national minorities, activists of local NGOs and journalists took part in it. At the round table the international relations in Vitsebsk were analyzed. Participants made proposals on improvement of the situation in this field. The measure was highlighted in mass media.

After the round table the “Veras” authorities were summoned to Vitsebsk CEC for explanations. The official of the information department Iryna Puchkova was dissatisfied with the fact that during the discussion the round table participants said that the situation with the national minorities in Vitsebsk region was quite difficult. Mrs. Puchkova was irritated with the opinion of the polish teacher, who lectured at Vitsebsk Polish House and had a good knowledge about the life of Poles in the region.

Another fact which the Justice board considers to be a law violation is that “Veras” established local center of volunteers as its structural body. In this center youth are engaged in charitable social activity. “We can’t understand why the Justice Board offers “Veras” to close this center”, -- said the organization head Yaraslaw Mantsevich.