SUPREME COURT CONFIRMS LIQUIDATION OF CIVIC INITIATIVES NGO

On 14 August the Supreme Court left the decision to liquidate Homel non-governmental organization Civic Initiatives unaltered.
Homel regional NGO Civic Initiatives was closed down on 17 June by Homel regional court. Now the court decision has come into effect. The organization has to start the process of liquidation.
The prosecutor agreed with the fact that the main claim against the NGO – using foreign grants not to the purpose – is ungrounded. According to the prosecutor, it is impossible to prove, that promotion leaflets and NGO’s newsletter have been printed on the equipment received from foreign partners of the Civic Initiatives. That’s why the prosecutor addressed Homel regional court with the request to remove this charge from the decision of Homel regional court. However, the Supreme Court left the original decision unaltered.
Let us remind you, that the Civic Initiatives was closed down on the following grounds: alleged administrative irregularities (letterhead does not meet the standards), organization of educational seminars, participation in observation of the local election, and alleged usage of equipment, granted by foreign partners, for wrong purposes.
Homel regional women organization “Initiative” experiences problems as well. Recently it received a warning on the results of the check-up, organized by local Justice Department. “Initiative” organized a civic campaign in support of the Civic initiatives, which were being closed down. They informed Homel residents about the trial and unfair court decision, and collected signatures in support of the NGO. Now they received a warning themselves. The official reasons for the warning are: the seal did not meet the requirements of the Instruction on Functioning of the seal enterprises and violation of the housing legislation (the legal address of the NGO was the same as the resident address of its head).
By press Service of the Assembly of NGOs.