Belarusian authorities ignore UN recommendations

• 12.11.2008, 16:38

The Foreign Ministry of Belarus, the Justice Ministry and the Constitutional Court of Belarus deny reinstatement of registration to the public association “Civil Initiatives”.

Homel activist of the democratic forces Uladzimir Katsora has received denials on this issue. In October he sent his address to these organisations on the occasion of the association’s closure.

It is stated in the address that “Civil Initiatives” was liquidated basing on the decision of Homel regional court in 2003. In three years the UN Committee on Human Rights has admitted that the organisation was liquidated illegally, with the violation of the right for freedom of associations, and is to be reinstated.

As the activities of the association haven’t been reinstated, Uladzimir Katsora as one of its founders addressed the authorities with a demand to fulfill the decision of the UN Committee on Human Rights.

As the BelaPAN was told by the human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka, the three answers to the address are negative. In particular, in the letter signed by first deputy Minister of Foreign Affaisr Ihar Petryshenka it is said: “Opinions of the Committee on Human Rights are nonbinding, and the facultative protocol does not impose obligations to fulfill recommendations”.

The official notes however that “the right for turning to international organisations with the aim to defend one’s right guaranteed by the Constitution hasn’t been violated”.