Court in Belarus closes independent pollster :: Charter'97 :: News

The Supreme Court in Belarus ordered the closing down of the ex-Soviet state`s best known independent polling institution on April.15. The oder came months after it angered authorities over an exit poll. The Independent Institute of Socio-economic and Political Research caused consternation in the administration of President Alexander Lukashenko by suggesting in October that Mr. Lukashenko had won less than 50-per-cent support in a referendum, reported Reuters.

The justice ministry accused the organization of failing to provide its questionnaire forms to the authorities in violation of the NGOs Law, using an office different from its legal address, using a shortened name of the organization in the media ("NISEPI" instead of "ROO `NISEPI`") and establishing the supervisory board, a body that is not mentioned in the Institute`s Charter.

Representatives of the IISEPS denied all the charges.

IISEPS Director Oleg Manayev described the closure as politically motivated at a news conference after the hearing. He said that the IISEPS liquidation was part of the authorities’ preparations for the 2006 presidential elections. He said that the authorities target independent think tanks and media, sources of alternative information.

“We are convinced that the decision is politically motivated. Its aim is to deprive citizens of an independent source of information and analysis on the real state of affairs in the country in the run up to the presidential election,” the IISEPS said in its statement.

The IISEPS leaders said that as long as they are “at large” they will continue their mission to “contribute to the development of democracy, market economy and civil society in Belarus by conducting sociological surveys.”

Dr. Manayev said that the IISEPS will operate “in new capacities” following the closure.