On 28 February 2009 the BCD’s Founding Congress was held with over 600 delegates. An official decision on the Party’s foundation was made; its programme and statute were approved.

 

Afterwards the BCD submitted to the Ministry of Justice the documents for registration together with a list of 1071 founders. Immediately after the Congress, the authorities unleashed an intimidation campaign against the Party’s founders who were threatened with dismissals, forced military conscription and expulsion from educational institutions. Kira Chuk, Natallia Kasciukovich and Heorhi Stankevic were threatened with dismissal. Paval Nazdra was intimidated by the KGB. Dzianis Lajeuski  was threatened with military service. Kastus Zhukousky was arrested for a 15 days term. Local authorities forced some activists in Klichau and Shklou to withdraw their membership. Tatsiana Klimentsova was told that the children adopted by her previously would be taken away if she persisted in her contacts with the Party. Then she received documents, which she has to sign in case she does not want to lose her job and children.

 

On 16 April 2009 the Ministry of Justice denies registration to the BCD, stating that when questioning the BCD’s founders not all of them correctly stated the number of meetings where they had participated and the number of delegated persons. Belarusian lawyers and human rights advocates consider this accusation ungrounded.

One day later on 17 April 2009 the Ministry of Justice temporarily suspended its non-registration decision. The BCD required that the Ministry of Justice should officially reply regarding the registration within a three days term, according to the established legal procedures. But the Ministry of Justice didn’t reply. In June the BCD petitioned the Supreme Court over the unlawful activities of the Justice Ministry during the state registration procedure of BCD. The Christian democrats required to be granted registration. On 22 July 2009 the Supreme Court ruled to dismiss the appeal of BCD. The decision is final and without appeal, added Valery Samalyuk, a judge of the Supreme Court. Prior to the hearings BCD secretary Dzyanis Sadouski was denied the right to study the documents that contain arguments for the Ministry of Justice’s dissatisfaction with BCD.

 

BCD plans to hold a new Founding Congress in Minsk on 31 October 2009. Following this congress they will apply for a registration once again.

 

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