Belarusian Supreme Court dismisses Viasna’s claim

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus considered the Ministry of Justice refusal to register Human Rights Association “Viasna” warrantable. The trial was open. The Belarusian democratic society has no doubts in a political way to resolve the question. (27-OCT-07)

Based on www.spring96.org Illustrated by www.svaboda.org

October 26, 2007 the Supreme Court judge Svetlana Yahnavec declared the decision on human rights activists Mr. Beliacki, Mr. Labkovich and Mr. Stefanovioch´s appeal. They asked to repeal Ministry of Justice resolution to deny state registration of Human Rights Association “Viasna” and oblige the Ministry to register the organization. During the trial all Ministry’s objections were refuted by human rights activists and the Ministry of Justice Representative Mr. Pechkurau could not reply to numerous applicants’ questions. Gaining Ministry’s point Mr. Pechkurau even declared- “Human Right activity is under the restriction in the Republic of Belarus”. 

The Supreme Court took the adverse decision and refused to meet human rights activists’ claim. The Court mentioned the coincidence of the titles- the use of the word “viasna”(“spring”) in the earlier liquidated association’s name and the new organization (“Human Rights Center Viasna” and “Viasna”)- and the inadequate to the law inscription on the bank paying slip  “registration fee” in stead of “state fee” as the reason of refusal.  

International support
FIDH (http://spring96.org/en/news/18782/) and Members of the Human Rights House Network (http://humanrightshouse.org/Articles/820.html )made statements appealing to register “Viasna” as a legal human rights organization, which status should be legal according to international legislation. There was no reaction from the side of Belarusian authorities on such support.

Background
The Supreme Court’s decision to liquidate Human Rights Center “Viasna” was taken four years ago – October 28, 2003. The UN Human Rights Committee’s materials were attached to the case. According to it the fact of the liquidation HRC “Viasna” was considered illegal and violates Civil and Political Rights Pact. This Committee’s decision was taken in July 2007 and proposes Belarusian authorities to improve the situation during 90 days. However, Belarusian authorities totally ignore the recommendations of the international organizations. During the last year UN Human Rights Committee took 20 similar decisions on Belarusian appeals. The Belarusian authorities ignored recommendations on all 20.