LEFTIST LIQUIDATION: WOMEN'S PARTY NADZEYA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000865 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: 10/12/2017 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR BO SUBJECT: LEFTIST LIQUIDATION: WOMEN'S PARTY NADZEYA BANNED REF: A. Minsk 686 QB. MINSK 805 Classified by Acting P/E Chief Nathan Lane for reason 1.4 (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) The Belarusian Supreme Court ordered the liquidation of the Belarusian Women's Party "Nadzeya." Following the suspension of the opposition Communist Party in August, Nadzeya is now the second of the three members of the Union on Leftist parties to have its activities curtailed. End summary. Leftists Under Fire -------------- ¶2. (U) The October 11 Supreme Court ruling came after prolonged bureaucratic harassment by the authorities prompted by the party's attempt to register its new charter in July. The decision follows the suspension of the opposition Communist Party in July (reftel). As a result, only one member of the Union of Leftist Parties, the Belarusian Social Democratic Party- Gramada, remains legally in operation. Bad PR: First Children in Jail, Next Women -------------- ¶3. (C) After the decision, party head Yelena Yeskova told Poloff that the group will hold a planning meeting to determine their future direction, but that in any case the party will continue its efforts to promote women's and children's issues. Considering that members of the party may now be subject to arrest for working with an unregistered party, Yeskova pointed out "first they put children in jail [Malady Front members], next they will put women in jail.... We can now be prosecuted for defending women's rights - the same rights supposedly already guaranteed by the constitution." ¶4. (C) Though the ruling to liquidate the party increasingly appeared inevitable in recent weeks, only two months ago the leadership did not expect such a move. In August when the registration problems first arose, Yeskova expressed confidence that her party would emerge unscathed. At that time, she predicted to Poloff that her party ultimately would not be suspended because it would be "a terrible PR move." Comment: Brand-Spanking New Repression Tactics? -------------- -- ¶5. (C) The regime appears to be concentrating its efforts on parties with recognizable brands -- Communists, Greens and now Women. Some suggest the moves may presage a strengthening of the role of parties in parliamentary elections (ref B). With rulings against two of the three Union of Leftist Party members, it might appear that BSDP-Gramada could be in jeopardy. However, Leaders of that party have told Poloffs in the past that they remain confident in their registration. Given their lack of name recognition, their confidence may be justified. STEWART