Repression in Belarus Gathers Pace
June 13th: Recently, more than ten students were summoned to the Public Prosecution Office where they were informed that data on their activity on behalf of the unregistered Belarusian’s Student Association was recorded by their offices. They were warned that if theu did not cease all activity, criminal cases would be opened against them.
In 2005 changes have been entered into the criminal code according to which activity on behalf of an unregistered organisation is a legally punishable offence.
According to the 193rd article of the Belarusian criminal code, people have already been condemned – Amongst them activists of Young Front – the organization with the aim is bringing up youth on Christian principles. The independent public legal examination led under the decision of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee has come to conclusion that article 193 of the criminal code mismatches the Constitution of Belarus and international obligations in the field of human rights.
The Belarusian Students’ Association was deprived registration on December the 3rd, 2001, after they participated in a mobilisation campaign before the presidential elections. Since then members of the organisation have been repeatedly exposed to pressure from the administrations of universities and the KGB.