Authorities thwart BCD regional congress

A meeting of the organising committee to found the Belarusian Christian Democracy party in the Vitebsk region was disrupted because many participants failed to arrive.

They were ordered to appear at work on a day off. Radio Racyja has learnt it from Vital Rymasheuski, a co-head of the organising committee.

“It was a provocation organised by the regime. People from several district organisations were ordered to work on a day off. It was done to prevent them from attending the Vitesbk regional congress. Of course, the authorities don't plan to register regional organisations, but we carry out our meetings, because the activity of the BCD is fully legal,” the politician said.

According to Vital Rymasheuski, BCD members from Navapolatsk and Lepel were suddenly ordered to appear at work. Activists face pressure from local KGB officers, who say they may have problems due to participation in BCD meetings.

Vital Rymasheuski stressed that the BCD would take further attempts to register in spite of numerous denials by the Ministry of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice took the final decision to decline registration of the party in February. Officials say the BCD documents contain discrepancies and inconsistencies with the acting legislation.