US embassy cable - 05MINSK790

UNCLAS MINSK 000790 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, BO 
SUBJECT: Lukashenko Tightens Control over Donations 
 
 
1. Summary: On July 1 President Lukashenko issued edict 300, 
"On the Provision and Use of Donations." The document puts 
legal bounds on who can provide and receive donations in 
Belarus and for what purposes. It further restricts the 
provision of material support to any opposition political 
and public activities in Belarus. In real life the situation 
will not change much, since these restrictions have 
unofficially been in place for quite a while. End Summary. 
 
2. Under the new edict, donations in the form of money, 
property, property rights, labor and services can be 
provided by Belarusian legal entities and individual 
entrepreneurs to organizations, individual entrepreneurs and 
individuals. The edict specifically indicates that demanding 
a donation is prohibited. [Note: This will hardly stop the 
numerous arm-twisting "requests" of local authorities to 
support the construction of the National Library, grand ice- 
hockey palace, etc.] 
 
3. Among other things the edict welcomes the provision of 
donations for the following purposes: support of 
agriculture, the Olympic movement and sports, medical 
facilities, rehabilitation of historical monuments, support 
of seniors and the disabled, conducting scientific research, 
and protection of the environment. It also specifically 
allows supporting religious organizations registered in 
Belarus. 
 
4. The edict prohibits granting donations for the purposes 
of changing Belarus' constitutional system, seizure of state 
power, propaganda of war and other illegal activities. 
Furthermore, donations are not allowed to help prepare and 
conduct elections, referenda, mass rallies, demonstrations, 
strikes, seminars, the production and distribution of 
printed materials, and other political activities in 
Belarus. 
 
5. The National Assembly, Central Election Committee, 
Judiciary, Presidential Administration, Prosecutor's Office 
and other senior agencies cannot provide donations unless 
authorized to do so by the President. Donations of other 
government agencies are cleared by the Council of Ministers. 
Other state organizations, including businesses with more 
than fifty percent shares in government ownership need the 
approval of respective government officials to make a 
donation. 
 
6. Belarusian law provides next to no tax 
benefits/exemptions to providers/receivers of donations. 
Such benefits are only available by personal direction of 
the President. Violation of this edict is punishable under 
the Administrative Code and could lead to fines. 
 
7. Comment: The edict does not change Belarus' political 
landscape much. Domestic donors have never publicized their 
support to the political opposition; in fact, any domestic 
support for the opposition is a deeply buried secret. This 
edict is just another step in the GOB's comprehensive effort 
to put legal barriers around any potential protest in 
Belarus.  However, it will have the effect of making it much 
more difficult for NGOs which are not overtly political, but 
which are also not fulfilling the regime's priorities, to 
attract private, domestic sponsorship. 
 
KROL