NGO SAFETY NET SEVERED

UNCLAS MINSK 000825 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM BO SUBJECT: NGO SAFETY NET SEVERED ¶1. Summary: On July 1, President Lukashenko signed edict 302, which significantly tightens the creation and limits the activities of funds, i.e. non-profit organizations without membership established for the advancement of social, cultural, educational and other purposes. Before the edict was signed, creating a fund was a safe- haven for liquidated pro-democracy NGO's, since it was less bureaucratic, much easier and cheaper than trying to create a new NGO. This edict is yet another GOB step to limit civil society and make their activities illegal. Unsurprisingly, the edict does not apply to funds established by the president, the GOB and the parliament. End Summary. ¶2. Before Presidential edict 302 was signed on July 1, a fund was a non-profit organization that has no membership and advances practically any objectives that do not contradict the law. Funds were easy to register and administer, and so many liquidated pro-democracy NGOs resurrected themselves as funds. The new edict specifically prohibits political activity by funds, eliminating this safety net for NGOs. Most revealing of the true nature of this edict, a fund cannot be established by any individual who headed an NGO or political party liquidated by court decision within the past three years. ¶3. Prior to the edict's coming into effect registration of funds cost the equivalent of eight US dollars and was done by local governments. Now, registration costs 118-300 USD and is processed by the Ministry of Justice and its regional offices. Furthermore, the edict introduces a minimum property qualification; USD 118 for local funds and USD 1180 for national and international ones. If a fund's assets drop below that amount, it gets liquidated. All existing funds must re-register before February 1, 2005. ¶4. Comment: The terms and provisions of the edict are not applicable to funds established or to be established by the President, GOB and parliament. The edict is clearly aimed at preventing any public activity to help account for or express the political aspirations of Belarusians. This edict is another constituent part of the growing pressure on civil society in Belarus. Krol