Supreme court of Belarus liquidated the biggest sociological institute :: Charter'97 :: News

Supreme court of Belarus adopted claim of Ministry of justice to republican public organization “Independent institute of social-economic and political researches”. Court stated that the biggest independent sociological institute must be liquidated. Yesterday head of IISEPR assumed such court decision. His prediction was right. Court approved all four accusations against IISEPR.

Dr. Manayev said that the four remaining charges are failure to provide its questionnaire forms to the authorities, the use of an office different from its legal address, the use of a shortened name of the organization in the media ("NISEPI" instead of "ROO `NISEPI`”), and the establishment of the supervisory board, a body that is not mentioned in the Institute’s Charter.

Dr. Manayev stressed that by demanding questionnaire forms the justice ministry exceeded its authority and interfered in the internal affairs of his organization.

“The authorities are more interested to prevent unbiased information on what is going on in Belarus from reaching the public,” he stressed.

He added that following the October 2004 referendum and parliamentary elections the authorities shifted the focus of pressure from political opponents to the independent media and non-governmental organizations.