Belarusian Union of Youth and Children’s Public Associations “Rada” Is Liquidated

08.02.2006

https://spring96.org/en/news/14511 2006 2006-02-08T10:00:00+0200 2006-02-08T10:00:00+0200 1970-01-01T03:00:00+0300 en The Human Rights Center “Viasna” The Human Rights Center “Viasna” The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

On 6 February the judge of the Supreme Court Ala Sakalouskaia ruled to liquidate the Belarusian Union of Youth and Children’s Associations “Rada”. The trial of the organization started on 28 January. Its representatives call the action “planned political campaign”.

“Rada” was charged with violation of its own statute, use of blanks with unregistered symbols, cooperation with unregistered youth organizations and initiatives, support to democratic youth initiatives, establishment of regional youth boards, propaganda of the European model of youth policy, etc. The court also considered as violations the intention of the organization to use the experience of Lithuania in its work and the fact that the organization represented the interests of the youth associations of Moldova and the Ukraine at the European Forum having no international status.

In the verdict it is said that “Rada” dealt with political activity, which is inadmissible according to the law on public associations. That’s why court decided to satisfy the demand of the Ministry of Justice to liquidate the organization on the basis of article 57 of the Civil Code of the Republic of Belarus. The only charge that wasn’t supported was “instigation to interference with the internal affairs of state organs”.

At the trial the Ministry of Justice was represented by Aliaksandr Kharyton, with whose participation about 10 organizations have already been liquidated.

“Rada” lawyers and workers disagree with the court verdict:
-- Some of the statute violations really took place, -- said Sviatlana Karaliova, chair of the presidium of the organization. – However, we have always tried to make our statute precise and democratic. We needed only 2-3 months to introduce the necessary changes. However, “Rada” was liquidated, we weren’t given any chances.

According to S. Karaliova, “Rada” has the reputation of a good and authoritative partner both in Belarus and abroad and hopes the organization will preserve it.