UNITED NATIONS EXPERT ON RIGHTS DEFENDERS GRAVELY CONCERNED OVER RESTRICTION OF FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN BELARUS

UNITED NATIONS EXPERT ON RIGHTS DEFENDERS GRAVELY CONCERNED

OVER RESTRICTION OF FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION IN BELARUS

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 21 June (UN Information Service) -- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights defenders issued the following statement today:

“The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, expresses her serious concern at the reported curtailment of the freedom of association in Belarus, particularly regarding the reported introduction since 1999 of legislation which strictly regulates the registration, functioning and funding of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

“The Special Rapporteur is especially worried over cumbersome registration procedures granting wide powers to the authorities to deny registration or close down organizations, restricting the ability of NGOs to provide legal assistance and representation to citizens in civil trials, and restricting access to and use of foreign aid.  In this context, the Special Representative expresses her gravest concern at the closure of 51 NGOs, including a significant number working for the defence of human rights, in 2003 for minor administrative irregularities.

“The Special Representative expresses particular alarm with regard to the situation of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC), reportedly the last nationally operating human rights NGO, which is threatened with closure.  It is reported that the BHC has been charged with tax evasion relating to project funds received under the European Union’s TACIS Technical Assistance Programme, despite a 1994 memorandum between the Belarusian authorities and the European Union granting tax exemption to this scheme.

“The Special Representative calls on the Belarus authorities to ensure that the adopted legislation is in conformity with recognized international norms and standards, in particular the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (“Declaration on Human Rights Defenders”).  She urges the Government to ensure that the rights enshrined in the Declaration are respected, in particular the right to freedom of association.”

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