MINSK. July 12 (Interfax) - The Belarusian Justice Ministry has refused to reregister the opposition Belarusian Social-Democratic Party (Hramada), Party Chairman Igor Borisov said.
"The Justice Ministry has denied reregistration to the Belarusian Social-Democratic Party (Hramada)," Borisov said on his webpage.
The ministry explained its decision with the existence of only 1,141 party members instead of the required 5,000, the failure to submit the list of party members and the originals of the registration certificate and the charter, and the party's refusal to adjust its charter to the new edition of the Belarusian Law on Political Parties.
"The party leadership plans to challenge the Justice Ministry's denial shortly," Borisov said.
The Belarusian Social-Democratic Party was founded in 1991. Its honorary leader is the first president of independent Belarus, Stanislav Shushkevich.
Belarusian laws on the activity of political parties and civil organizations were amended this year. Now it is possible to abolish a party for war propaganda, terrorist or extremist activity, actions that harm state and/or public interests, and funding or assets received from foreign sponsors.
The bill increases the minimal number of party members to 5,000 and says that only citizens of the Republic of Belarus, permanently residing in its territory and older than 18, could be party founders. A party needs to have branches in every region and the capital of Belarus, as well as in at least a third of districts and regional centers in every region of the country and at least a third of districts in Minsk. It also lifts the ban on funding parties from the national or local budget.
Parties are compelled to reregister within three months since the amendments take effect
Three pro-governmental parties - the Liberal Democratic Party, the Communist Party of Belarus, and the Republican Party of Labor and Justice have been reregistered to date. The new pro-governmental party, Belaya Rus, is the fourth registered party.