Lukashenko Tightens Control over Donations

UNCLAS MINSK 000790

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM BO
SUBJECT: Lukashenko Tightens Control over Donations



1. Summary: On July 1 President Lukashenko issued edict 300,
"On the Provision and Use of Donations." The document puts
legal bounds on who can provide and receive donations in
Belarus and for what purposes. It further restricts the
provision of material support to any opposition political
and public activities in Belarus. In real life the situation
will not change much, since these restrictions have
unofficially been in place for quite a while. End Summary.


2. Under the new edict, donations in the form of money,
property, property rights, labor and services can be
provided by Belarusian legal entities and individual
entrepreneurs to organizations, individual entrepreneurs and
individuals. The edict specifically indicates that demanding
a donation is prohibited. [Note: This will hardly stop the
numerous arm-twisting "requests" of local authorities to
support the construction of the National Library, grand ice-
hockey palace, etc.]


3. Among other things the edict welcomes the provision of
donations for the following purposes: support of
agriculture, the Olympic movement and sports, medical
facilities, rehabilitation of historical monuments, support
of seniors and the disabled, conducting scientific research,
and protection of the environment. It also specifically
allows supporting religious organizations registered in
Belarus.


4. The edict prohibits granting donations for the purposes
of changing Belarus' constitutional system, seizure of state
power, propaganda of war and other illegal activities.
Furthermore, donations are not allowed to help prepare and
conduct elections, referenda, mass rallies, demonstrations,
strikes, seminars, the production and distribution of
printed materials, and other political activities in
Belarus.


5. The National Assembly, Central Election Committee,
Judiciary, Presidential Administration, Prosecutor's Office
and other senior agencies cannot provide donations unless
authorized to do so by the President. Donations of other
government agencies are cleared by the Council of Ministers.
Other state organizations, including businesses with more
than fifty percent shares in government ownership need the
approval of respective government officials to make a
donation.


6. Belarusian law provides next to no tax
benefits/exemptions to providers/receivers of donations.
Such benefits are only available by personal direction of
the President. Violation of this edict is punishable under
the Administrative Code and could lead to fines.


7. Comment: The edict does not change Belarus' political
landscape much. Domestic donors have never publicized their
support to the political opposition; in fact, any domestic
support for the opposition is a deeply buried secret. This
edict is just another step in the GOB's comprehensive effort
to put legal barriers around any potential protest in
Belarus. However, it will have the effect of making it much
more difficult for NGOs which are not overtly political, but
which are also not fulfilling the regime's priorities, to
attract private, domestic sponsorship.

KROL