Ministry of Justice Reprimands Association of Belarusian Language

On November 26 the Ministry of Justice issued a written reprimand to the Board of Public association “Frantsysk Skaryna Association of Belarusian Language”. Here’s an excerpt from the text: “The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus found that Lida organization of the Public association “Frantsysk Skaryna Association of Belarusian Language” erected the memorial cross near the village of Bielitsa (Lida district) by which it exceeded the territory of its activity. The organization didn’t ask for agreement of the local authorities as it is demanded by the legally established order which resulted in violation of the provision about giving and occupation of land pieces affirmed by Decree No. 422 of President of the Republic of Belarus issued on August 6, 2002, provision No. 1323 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus “About the order of projecting, building, reconstruction and acceptance of monumental and monumental-decorative art on the territory of the Republic of Belarus” issued on September 9, 2000 and decision of Horadnia executive committee No. 332 of August 16, 1999 “About regulation for building of cult objects on the territory of the region”.

It was also found that on September 15, 2002, during erection of the cross there was organized an assembly of Bielitsa citizens without authorization according to the established order which is violation of Article No. 11 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus “About assemblies, meetings, street processions, demonstrations and pickets”.

Besides, the association confirmed that “Lida district organization wasn’t registered at Lida district executive committee” which is violation of Article No. 16 of the Law “About public associations”, points 17 and 18 of Provision about State registration (re-registration) of political parties, trade unions and other public associations, affirmed by Decree No. 2 of the President of the Republic of Belarus on January 1, 1999.

The Public association confessed that it really hadn’t printed “the official name… of the organization” in the informational fly-sheets that has relation to “Belarusian monthly edition “Razmauliaiem pa-bielarusku”. It resulted in violation of article No. 50 of the Civil code of the Republic of Belarus, point 1.1 of the organization statute and, consequently, Article No. 4 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus “About public associations”.

Reposing on this, being guided by Articles No. 26, 27 and 28 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus “About public associations”, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus issued a written reprimand to the Board of the Public association “Frantsysk Skaryna Associations of Belarusian Language”.

It is desirable to inform the Ministry of Justice about he measures taken within a month’s term. This reprimand can be appealed against to the Supreme court of the Republic of Belarus during one month.

First vice-Minister A.S. Pietrash”

Association of Belarusian Language is going to appeal to court against the reprimand.

Information Department of PA HRC “Viasna”