‘Problem Is Not Maryja Tarasenka, But 500 K ‘Parasites’, Sent To Reservation By Authorities’

The government invades the privacy of Belarusians.

Today, the Chyhunachny court of Homel made a decision on the case of the housewife Maryja Tarasenka against the “parasitic” commission. The Homel resident demanded BYN 1000 of compensation from the state for the inclusion of her personal data intot he “database of social parasites”. The lawsuit has been declined.

For details, the website Charter97.org appealed to Leanid Sudalenka, a well-known lawyer of the REP independent trade union, who represented Maryja in court:

- The decision of the court once again confirms that no legal protection against the decree on “parasites” exists in Belarus. If you remember, in February the court declined Maryja’s plea to initiate a case on the complaint about the inclusion by the “parasitic” commission of her data into the database due to lack of jurisdiction, then she decided to enter from the other side - she filed a lawsuit for the compensation for moral damage.

As it became known today, the judge considered that no moral damage was caused to the Homel resident. He decided that if her arms and legs are okay, no torture was used, then there was no moral damage either. Our position is different. The very fact that Maryja Tarasenka was included in the database, what she was called “not engaged in the economy” - caused and continues to cause moral harm to her.

- How do Maryja and you intend to act further?

- Today we have ordered the motivation part of the court decision. After studying it, we will file an appeal to the Homel regional court and intend to raise this issue before the Supreme Court.

It should be clearly understood, this is not a problem of Maryja Tarasenka, this is the problem of 500 thousand “parasites”, whom the authorities sent to the reservation.

In my opinion, the most important problem is that the decree does not provide for an opportunity for a Belarusian citizen, included into the database of “parasites”, to defend themselves in court. The decree simply does not say how a citizen can appeal against being included into the database in court.

Also, the Constitutional Court remains silent. We want to raise the question that the decree has not been tested for compliance with the Constitution. Unfortunately, in our country, citizens are deprived of a direct opportunity to appeal to the Constitutional Court, therefore we address the issue to the subjects: the government, the Supreme Court, which, according to the Constitution, are entitled to such appeal. We will use all possible mechanisms.

- The other day, the “increased” utility bills have been delivered to the “social parasites” …

- Yes, it is known that they have charged Maryja Tarasenka for the hot water under the “parasitic” tariff in January and February. Apparently, she has to pay for hot water 5.3 times more than in December 2018. Her utility bill is already much heavier, and what will happen when by the autumn gas and heat supply for her family rises in price? I think that the family budget will most certainly not be enough to pay the bills in full.

Obviously, the state interferes with the life of a particular family, breaking its plans. After all, Maryja was clearly formulated for herself her role in the near future. She wants to be a housewife, and by charging her for the communal services at such draconian tariffs the government invades her privacy.

Maryja is a member of our REP trade union and we will do our best to use any mechanisms to protect her.