News on the topic: NGOs
04.03.2010 Supreme Court upholds registration denial to ‘Zalaty Leu’
The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Hrodna oblast court concerning the non-registration of the Slonim NGO Zalaty Leu. On 4 March the Civil Cases College Board of the Supreme Court, presided by Judge Valer Samaliu, considered the complaint lodged by the Zalaty Leu founders and found the verdict of the Hrodna oblast court well-grounded and the registration denial – legal.
04.03.2010 Spoiled holiday
The students who had taken part in the festival of the Belarusian language were made to write explanatory notes concerning the event. It was the first year when the festival was organized officially.
03.03.2010 Assembly of pro-Democratic NGOs: third registration attempt failed
According to information of the press-service of the Assembly of pro-Democratic NGOs, the Ministry of Justice for the third time refused to register the Assembly of pro-Democratic NGOs. The reasons for the registration don’t differ from the reasons given during the previous registration attempt.
01.03.2010 The Implementation of Freedom of Association in 2009
In 2009 the situation in the sphere of freedom of association in Belarus failed to undergo significant changes, the main problems in the formation and activities of public associations remaining unaltered. The practice of denying registration to public associations and political parties on dubious grounds including the socio-political stand of the associations’ founders was continued. A ban on the activities of unregistered public associations, foundations, political parties and religious organizations was kept in force resulting in criminal penalties for such activities (Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code, ‘Illegal organization of a public association, religious organization or foundation or participation in their activities’ .
18.02.2010 Supreme Court didn’t grant appeal against non-registration of ‘Brestskaya Viasna’
On 18 February the cassation appeal of the founders of the human rights NGO Brestskaya Viasna concerning the verdict of the Brest oblast court of 29 December by which the decision of the justice department of the Brest oblast executive committee on non-registration of the organization was left in force.
12.02.2010 Materials from Belarusian NPOs prepared for the Universal Periodic Review of Belarus in the U.N. Committee on Human Rights. October 2009
This compilation of materials was prepared in August-September 2009 by a group of NGOs for conveyance to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in conjunction with the preparation of the Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of Belarus' fulfillment of its international human rights obligations. These materials contain references to more detailed reports and publications. The following organizations participated in the preparation of these materials: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC), Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), “Viasna” Human Rights Center, Assembly of Democratic Non-Governmental Organizations of Belarus and Congress of Independent Unions (Belarus).
11.02.2010 Baranavichy: legal existence of Belarusian Language Society is under threat
On 10 February, the Baranavichy Council of the Belarusian Language Society filed with Viktar Dzichkouski, Chairman of the Baranavichy city executive committee, a repeated letter informing that all documents necessary for changing the legal address of the local BLS organization had been presented to the CEC more than a month ago, but no answer was received in the legal terms.
09.02.2010 Constitutional Court reluctant to consider revocation of Article 193-1
In December 2009 Kiryl Atamanchyk, activist of the Young Front youth movement, lodged an address with the Constitutional Court, urging the officials to provide legal assessment of the compliance of Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code with Article 36 of the Belarusian Constitution and Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
05.02.2010 Belarusian civil society activists should be invited to Euronest, believes Pro-dem NGO Assembly
The Euronest Parliamentary Assembly should invite representatives of both Belarusian political parties and the civil society, says the Assembly of Belarusian Pro-Democratic NGOs. The composition of the Belarusian delegation is currently under consideration. However, due to the absence of a legitimate Parliament in the country, any Belarusian delegation will be unofficial.
20.01.2010 Article 193-1 meets law, says Prosecutor General
Article 193-1 does not run counter to the Belarusian legislative and Constitutional standards, said Prosecutor General Ryhor Vasilevich during a press-conference on 20 January. ‘I do not think that it pointedly stands out of the legal framework,’ said the official.
18.01.2010 Belarusian MPs not willing to tackle Article 193-1 issue, waiting for outer initiative
Deputies of the House of Representatives are not going to consider the issue of decriminalizing Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code, say participants of the 22 December New Year happening quoting Mr. Viktar Huminski, head of the House of Representatives’ Standing Commission for National Security.
14.01.2010 State is reminded about international undertakings
Uladzimir Katsora, Homel activist of the For Freedom movement, addressed the state organs with the demand that they execute the decision of the UN Human Rights Committee on renewal of the activities of the Civil Initiatives NGO.
21.12.2009 Assembly of NGOs: another attempt of registration
On 18 December the Assembly of Belarusian Pro-Democratic NGOs held a meeting in attempt to receive state registration, earlier this year their previous application was turned down by the authorities.
02.12.2009 Article 193-1: 4 years of illegal activity
It is 4 years since criminal liability for illegal NGO membership was introduced to the Criminal Code. ‘The anniversary’ was marked by the release of a satirical cartoon criticizing the infamous article, as part of the campaign for its repeal. The cartoon can be viewed at the Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs’ official web-site.
16.11.2009 Cultural-educational civil association ‘Golden Lion’ denied registration
The main justice department of Hrodna oblast executive committee denied the state registration to the Cultural-educational association ‘Golden Lion’ from Slonim.
