4 years under “political” article of Criminal Code: Cartoon about illegal Belarusian Santa Clauses (Video)

Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (activity on behalf of unregistered organization) was mocked on the internet.

The Assembly of non-governmental democratic organizations made a cartoon to mark the fourth anniversary of adoption amendments to the Criminal Code of Belarus, which imposed responsibility for activity on behalf of unregistered organization – up to two years of imprisonment.

The synopsis of the animated film: Santa Clauses hurry to hand in presents to children. This is not an easy task in the country, where any public activity can be punished. They met problems due to activity on behalf on unregistered organization. Children risk not getting presents.

We remind that Belarusian human right activists held a street action near General Prosecutor’s Office the on October 15. The Belarusian human rights activists dressed as Santa Clauses came to prosecutor’s office and handed in a petition saying they represented the unregistered organization, “organized New Year’s Eve parties, handed out gifts (among the minors too), congratulated people”.

The General Prosecutor’s Office said in an answer that “if there is exact information about systematic and organized participation of people in illegal activity of an unregistered non-governmental organization”, they (Santa Clauses) may e brought to responsibility in accordance with the law.