Justice Ministry Poses Pretensions to Parties of People’s Coalition “5+”

The BPF Party received a letter from the Justice Ministry, signed by the first vice-head, A. Petrash (in Russian):

“Being guided by information of mass media and internet, on the territory of the Republic of Belarus there has been established and acts People’s coalition “5+” and the BPF Party is its member.

According to the dictionary of Russian language by S.I. Ozhegov and N.Yu. Shvedova coalition is the unity (of states, parties) for reaching a common aim. Other dictionaries give analogous explanations.

The legislation of the Republic of Belarus allows establishment of unions (associations) of parties, public associations and other juridical persons.

The activity of unregistered unions (associations) is prohibited. In these circumstances the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus proposes to the Soym of the party to take the appropriate decision and judicially institutionalize the activity of the People’s Coalition “5+” by presenting documents for its registration till 15 August 2004.

At the same time, we recommend to stop participation in the activity of the unregistered formation till the question of its registration according to the established order is solved.

Otherwise, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus will consider participation of the party in the activity of the abovementioned association as a gross violation of the legislation on political parties.”

United Civil Party received a similar letter.

Information Department of HRC “Viasna”