NGOs of Homel oblast have problems holding their assembly

Homel oblast executive committee did not sanction the assembly of NGOs and civil initiatives of Homel oblast.

Within the frames of preparation to the Assembly of Pro-democratic NGOs scheduled for 6-7 March in Minsk, regional NGOs gather for smaller assemblies in order to discuss the situation in the third sector and prepare proposals for the next year.

As stated by the vice-head of the Homel city branch of the Belarusian republican association Legal Initiative Uladzimir Katsora, the organizers intended to hold the assembly at the House of Creative Work for Children and Youth Yunatstva. There was even reached a preliminary oral agreement with the director of the House concerning the rent of the hall. Then Uladzimir Katsora applied to the oblast executive committee for getting the official permission. Some time after it the director of the House of Creative Work phoned to Katsora and said that the House could not accommodate the assembly. He refused to call the reasons and said he could not do it on the phone.

Nevertheless, Uladzimir Katsora says that the assembly will take place anyway. It will take place at Homel office of Legal Initiatives, but fewer delegates will be invited to it.