BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

14/01/2008

Belarusian Justice Ministry Wants To Close Vendors' Association

Belarus's Justice Ministry has filed a suit with the Supreme Court for the closure of the Perspektyva small-business association over its participation in the January 10 demonstration, Belapan and RFE/RL's Belarus service reported on January 13. The ministry accused demonstrators of violating the law on mass events and paralyzing traffic in central Minsk for more than an hour. "The actions by the organizers of the unauthorized rally, including the Perspektyva national public association, caused considerable damage to the interests of citizens, state, and public interests," the ministry said. It argued that the constitution "guarantees everyone freedom of opinion, convictions, and their full expression, as well as freedom of assembly and rallies," but "this should be done with due regard for rules set by state laws and not infringe on the rights of other people." The Justice Ministry has also ordered the United Civic Party (AHP), the Belarusian Party of Communists (PKB), and the Belarusian Popular Front (BNF) to explain within three days why their leaders attended the January 10 demonstration in Minsk, Belapan and RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported. The ministry ordered the parties to provide information "whether these persons [AHP, PKB, and BNF leaders] had been authorized by the respective parties to participate in the above-mentioned mass event" and present "appropriate decisions by the parties." The ministry warned that the parties will be ordered to "express their official stance regarding their actions at the unauthorized event" unless they provide proof that the leaders were authorized to attend the rally. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2008/01/3-cee/cee-140108.asp