News on the topic: freedom of association
23.07.2013 BCD Mahiliou activist appeals warning for illegal party membership
Aleh Aksionau, activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party, lodged today an appeal to the Board on Civil Cases of Mahiliou Regional Court.
17.07.2013 25 non-profit organizations suggest holding parliamentary hearings on improving NPO legislation
On July 16, the parliament and government of Belarus received a collective petition of 25 non-profit organizations with a proposal to hold parliamentary hearings on the issue of improving the legislation governing the activities of NPOs.
15.07.2013 Round table on Article 193.1 and Aliaksei Shchadrou's case to be held 16 July
A round-table to discuss the institution of criminal proceedings under article 193.1 (activities on behalf of unregistered organization) against Aliaksei Shchadrou (who organize a shelter for homeless in his village) will start at 11 a.m. on 16 July in Charnysheuski Street, 3 in Minsk.
11.07.2013 Mahiliou: court turned down Alieh Aksionau's appeal
On 10 July the Leninski District Court of Mahiliou didn't grant the appeal of an activist of the organizing committee of the party Belarusian Christian Democracy against a warning issued to him by the KGB on 19 April, allegedly for his activities on behalf of an unregistered organization (a crime under Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code).
10.07.2013 Brest: adherents of Belarusian Christian Democracy want to register as a public association
The activists applied to the Justice Department of the Brest Regional Executive Committee for registration of the public association "Brest Christian Democrats". This is the way the local adherents of the Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD) intend to legalize their activiites, as far as all previous campaigns for the registration of the party were unsuccessful: the Ministry of Justice repeatedly refused to provide the state registration for the party.
09.07.2013 Warning to activist of "Tell The Truth" left in force
Aliaksandr Kuzmin, activist of the civic campaign "Tell the Truth" from Belaaziorsk, received a response to his complaint from the Brest Regional Prosecutor's Office, signed by the deputy prosecutor, senior adviser of justice Aliaksandr Tochka.
20.06.2013 Shchuchyn resident faces criminal charges under Art. 193.1
Aliaksei Shchadrou, a Catholic believer of the village of Aliaksandrauka, Shchuchyn district, is facing charges under Art. 193.1 of the Criminal Code (activities on behalf of an unregistered organization). The criminal case was initiated after Aliaksei Shchadrou opened an asylum for the homeless in his home village.
19.06.2013 Shchuchyn: representatives of Union of Poles sentenced to fines (photos)
Shchuchyn District Court heard today the administrative cases against the leader of the Union of Poles in Belarus Mieczyslaw Jaskiewicz and member of the organization Wieranika Siebascianowicz. Both were charged with organizing an unauthorized mass event.
17.06.2013 Ministry of Justice rejects registration bid by Tell the Truth campaign
The Ministry of Justice dismissed registration papers by the civil campaign Tell the Truth.
13.06.2013 Head of disgraced "Union of Poles in Belarus" to stand trial
One more member of the unregistered "Union of Poles in Belarus", its chairman Mechyslau Yaskevich will soon be summoned to court as a defendant in administrative proceedings. The Shchychyn police forwarded to Hrodna a copy of the charges, given to Yaskevich for an alleged adminsitrative offense – holding an unsanctioned rally.
30.05.2013 House of Representatives approves bill on political parties and NGOs
Members of the House of Representatives have adopted amendments to the laws relating to activity of political parties and NGOs. Deputy Minister of Justice Hanna Badak introduced the draft law and said the amendments would simplify the process of opening political parties and NGOs and fill gaps in the legal regulation of their activity.
28.05.2013 Lukashenka decorates judge involved in harassment of Viasna
The Belarusian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka awarded the Medal of Honor to Ms. Valiantsina Kulik, Judge of the Supreme Court of Belarus, who considered the case on the dissolution of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” back in 2003, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Belarus service reports.
24.05.2013 ARCHE Re-Registered
The Ministry of Information finally agreed to re-register the independent Belarusian language magazine Arche. Beginning – after six months’ financial inspection and four refusals to re-register the outlet.
06.05.2013 List of non-profit organizations with rent preferences shortened more than twice
Interestingly, compared with the previous list, the number of political parties, which had rent benefits, decreased: benefits were left to the Communist Party and the Republican Party of Labor and Justice, whereas the Belarusian Social and Sportive Party, the Belarusian Patriotic Party and the Agrarian Party of Belarus were denied benefits.
02.05.2013 "Viasna" urges the authorities to stop the practice of pressurizing civic activists and take measures for the abolishment of Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" urges the Belarusian authorities to stop the practice of intimidation and pressurization of civic activists and immediately decriminalize the activity of unregistered organizations.
