Łukašenka signs legislation on parties, civil society

February 14, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka has signed the law “On the Foundations of Civil Society” and amendments to laws on party politics, his press office reports. The legislation passed both houses of the National Assembly in January.

The law defines civil society as Belarusian nationals, foreign nationals and stateless persons permanently residing in the republic and expressing their civic position “by participating in social relations and institutions unprohibited by law.”

It provides for “general and special forms of cooperation” between state agencies and members of civil society.

Senator Aleh Ramanaŭ said the new piece of legislation “has both ideological and legal components.” “The task of civil society is to help the state solve significant social problems and move toward progressive development,” he said.

Human rights defenders criticized the bill, saying that it will establish a hierarchy of associations based on their loyalty to the government.

The amendments on party politics require all existing political parties to reregister within six months.

They raise the minimum membership required to register a political party to 5,000. Parties are now required to have chapters in each region and in Minsk, including in at least one-third of districts and cities in all regions and in one in three Minsk districts.

A party can be dissolved if it promotes war, terrorist, extremist or other illegal activities harming state and public interests, or if it receives foreign funding.

Human rights groups and the opposition fear that Belarus’ opposition parties will be outlawed as a result of the re-registration campaign.