The Supreme Court of Belarus declared the decision concerning the complaint of the Belarusian Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs against the refusal of the Ministry of Justice to register it. Predictably enough, the complaint wasn’t granted.

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Meanwhile, according to the political scientist Yury Chavusau, who attended the trial and who represents the Assembly, some of the Assembly’s arguments were partially confessed by the court, while some others were rejected.

After reviewing the case, Supreme Court concluded that there are at least two reasons, sufficient for the Assembly’s registration refusal:

first of all, the founders did not specify the location of the association (legal address) in the statute of the association;

secondly, the goals and objectives of the association are formulated hazily and don’t give any idea on the subject of the Assembly’s activities.

“The Decision of the Ministry of Justice was supported by the court and this position is understandable. According to the registering authority, such a structure as the Assembly simply can not be registered as an association of public organizations.

The Ministry claims that unions and associations can unite only similar organization—like youth, social, women's, environmental associations, sports federations, etc. But such structure as the Assembly, which includes diverse organizations, according to the Ministry’s of Justice and the Supreme Court’s interpretation of law, can not exist,”- commented Yury Chavusau.

Chairman of the Working Group of the Assembly Siarhej Mackevich noted that another refusal to register the Assembly demonstrates permanent unwillingness of the Belarusian authorities to engage into cooperation with the independent civil sector.

Just to remind you, the Assembly of Democratic NGOs is the biggest association of public organisations, which includes 278 foundations, organisations and initiatives.

This has been the third attempt by the Assembly since 1997 to register as an association of legal entities.