Shrek and Buratino handed address to Foreign Ministry of Belarus (Photo)

Public activists and journalists have organized a satirical rally in Minsk.

Participants were in disguise of cartoons heroes, and on behalf of them handed in another application to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Belarus with a request to cancel criminal responsibility for activities on behalf of unregistered organizations. The performance took place in the framework of the campaign of the NGO Assembly and “Stop 193.1!” campaign, “Nasha Niva” writes.

“Public activists, independent journalists and other fairy-tale monsters!” addressed those present at the performance Lord Farquaad, the main antagonist of the event. By his decree the fairy-tale dictator announced how people should live: never gather together, not to do anything jointly, and go to exile to a marshland. However fantastic animals decided not to obey to the decrees and went to defend their right to act on behalf of unregistered organizations.

The satirical action has become a response to the steps of the authorities. Over the last year officials of the Justice Ministry and deputies of the “chamber of representatives” many times expressed their opinion that criminal responsibility for activities on behalf of unregistered organizations should be abolished. That is why fairy-tale characters handed in another appeal with a request to cancel the article which provides for criminal responsibility for activities on behalf of unregistered organizations.

On September 15 the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Belarus forwarded a document to the UN, which states that the authorities continue to state that there are no problems with human rights in Belarus. In this document it is stated that “Belarus does not accept recommendation concerning abolition of Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code. This material is aimed at stopping activities of extremist groups and organizations in Belarus…”

That is why the performance with fairy-tale characters was held right before the 15th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which is to take place on September 23. In the framework of the session a final document with evaluation of human rights situation in Belarus is to be approved.