Resolution tabled by the the United Civic Party and the Belarusian Popular Front on behalf of the democratic opposition of Belarus
The political situation in Belarus has continued to deteriorate massively in the past year. On the one hand, this is due to the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine and the Lukashenko regime’s unconditional loyalty to the rulers in the Kremlin. On the other hand, it is due to far- reaching domestic political interventions in Belarus itself, which are aimed at restricting and incapacitating civil society, in particular the revision of the law “On Political Parties” of February 14, 2023.
The International Democrat Union IDU, together with the democratic opposition of Belarus, consider that:
1. The new version of the Law “On Political Parties” does not comply with the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus.
- Contrary to Article 5 of the Constitution, the law has unlawfully expanded restrictions on the creation and activity of political parties.
- The law also violates the principle of “equality before the law” enshrined in Article 22.
- The increase in the number of required founders (members) is an unjustified hindrance to the realization of the right of citizens to Freedom of Association (Article 36) and theright to participate in public affairs (article 37).
- In addition, it is contrary to the Freedom of Association to link party membership to theduration of residence in Belarus.
2. The new version of the Law “On Political Parties” makes the free formation of political activities in Belarus impossible. It fundamentally contradicts the existing legal situation and violates applicable law in Belarus such as the Law “On the Approval of the Main Directions of the Internal and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Belarus.”
3. The requirements of the new version of the Law “On Political Parties” ultimately lead to the fact that data protection in Belarus is no longer guaranteed and parties can be monitored more aggressively through the disclosure of their structures and the personal data of their members. Therefore, the new version of the Law “On Political Parties” contradicts the resolution of the VI All-Belarusian People’s Assembly of February 12, 2021.
4. Finally, the new version of the Law “On Political Parties” contradicts the guidelines for regulating the activities of political parties, which were approved by the OSCE and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe with the participation of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus.
Therefore, the IDU and the democratic opposition of Belarus:
1. Call for the termination of the new version of the Law “On Political Parties”. 2. Support the demand that the lists of members of our political parties, due to
the lack of security guarantees and the consequences associated with membership in the parties, must not be provided to the Ministry of Justice.