The founders of the organising committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party declare their work in Belarus only within the framework of the current legislation
A meeting of the founders of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party was held on 19 January 2022 in order to take action in connection to the fact that a law on criminal liability for acting on behalf of an unregistered organisation will come into effect on 21 January 2022*.
The Christian Democrats have decided to continue their activities in Belarus in preparation for the registration of the party and holding events in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Political Parties”, namely:
– preparation for the founding congress of the party;
– preparation of the party’s statute;
– preparation of the party programme;
– preparation of the list of party founders and other necessary documents for party registration in accordance with the procedure established by law.
In a statement, the organising committee also noted the inadmissibility of activities on behalf of the BCD of any structures and individuals apart from the above mentioned activities.
As Vital Rymasheuski noted: “Repression in Belarus is only intensifying, civil society is being destroyed, new repressive laws are being passed. Belarus needs development, not a long-term crisis that is intensifying. And this requires a strong civil society and political parties. Christian democracy including social market economy is a successful model of the political and economic system. Today there are no conditions for winning the democratic elections, but we can continue work on the party’s programme, which will be the basis for reforms in the future of Belarus.”
Volha Kavalkova said “Instead of dialogue and other constructive actions aimed at overcoming the crisis, every day we receive new prohibition laws that make our country dangerous for people and increasingly divide society. The situation is difficult, but even in these conditions it is necessary to continue working and making steps to ensure the positive changes in Belarus; for this we will use possible ways to unite and join efforts aimed at the development of society and the state. We will continue to seek the release of all political prisoners, including our colleagues Pavel Seviarynets and Tatiana Kaneuskaya. Our strength is in unity and solidarity, faith and struggle for each other and Belarus ”.
* https://csometer.info/updates/belarus-criminal-penalties-restored-unregistered-csos
“The organization of activities or participation in the activities of a political party, other public association, religious organization or foundation in respect of which a decision of the public authority on its liquidation or suspension of its activities has entered into legal force, as well as the organization of and participation in the activities of political parties, other public associations, religious organizations or foundations which has not obtained state registration as prescribed by law, if there are no indications of a crime under Article 423-1 of this Code, — punishable by fine or arrest, or imprisonment for a term up to 2 years.”
