State Employees Checked for Party and NGO Membership, Purposes for Foreign Trips and Relatives Abroad

22.09.2004.

Mahilow members of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" got hold of a “Form for Personnel Accounting” which is obligatory for completion for all state employees. Human rights activists are especially concerned about items 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14.

6. “What political party or NGO are you a member of?”
7. “What political parties or NGOs were you a member of earlier, what period of time?”
12. “Have you been convicted for administrative or criminal offences, when, and what for”
13. “Have you been abroad, where, and with what purpose?”
14. “Do you have relatives abroad? Please indicate where, from what time, and their occupation (First, middle, and last name, age, and relation degree)”.

Human Rights Center "Viasna" lawyer Valantsin Stefanovich comments the document: “This is a return to the Soviet past. I think this is absolutely illegal. Every citizen has the right not to answer these questions. All citizens are equal before the law, independently of their party membership. If there are such questions in the questionnaire, that means there will be some consequences for membership in political parties and NGOs. Personnel managers do not have the authority to ask such questions. Our Labor Code enumerates the documents needed for employment. That’s why introduction of such “Forms” is unconstitutional”.

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