House of Representatives approves bill on political parties and NGOs
The draft law specifies the definition of a NGOs saying that it is founded not for the “joint exercising civil, social cultural and other rights”, but for “achieving the joint aims set in the charter”.
Initiators of amendments expect the changes to meet wider interests of citizens opening NGOs, BelaPAN news agency reports.
The draft law contains amendments relating to mutual exclusion of the grounds for suspension and denial of state registration for a political party or an NGO. In particular, a violation of the order of formation won't be regarded as capable of remedy and will require new organisational measures.
Anatol Liabedzka, the chairman of the United Civil Party, said in an interview with charter97.org that he didn't share optimism of Belarusian officials and harshly criticised the amendments.
”New political organisations are not registered not because we don't have laws, but because a woman from Lukashenka's administration gives instructions to the minister of justice saying what is permitted and what is forbidden. This is the problem. The quality of the current legislation is not a problem,” the politician thinks.
He is confident the laws on political parties and NGOs could remain without amendments, but the minister of justice should not be called on the carpet and given tasks to suppress political organisations.
“Officials will put a comma and go to the Council of Europe and the European Parliament to report about 'amendments'. It will be a political speculation. It is done for improving their image in the international arena or for tightening the noose around the neck of opposition organisations. We are on the brink of going underground. Anyway, it will bring no good to the UCP, the Fair World Party or the BCD organising committee,” Anatol Liabedzka underscores.
