Open letter of the Head of the Interim Coordination Committee of the National Platform of EaP CSF

        OPEN LETTER to the members of the Belarusian Civil Society National Platform   On October, the 29th 2011 there was held Conference of the National Platform for the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum "Civil society of Belarus: on the eve of...

OPEN LETTER
to the members of the Belarusian Civil Society National Platform

On October, the 29th 2011 there was held Conference of the National Platform for the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum "Civil society of Belarus: on the eve of the third annual meeting of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum". Its’ results led to active actions of Belarusian civil society and got media coverage, which require certain activity from me also as from the Head of the Interim Coordination Committee, elected at the Conference.

Long before the Conference within the civil society of Belarus the discussions were held as for the further development of civil society itself, of the National Platform and on the destiny of the Eastern Partnership. And, as in any debates, there revealed in the civil society a variety of approaches and positions that couldn’t result yet in a common vision, a unified position.

Despite existing contradictions, we all agree on assessment of the situation after the events of December, the 19th 2010 as the state of emergency in the country. We all agree that Belarus should continue to participate in the EU Eastern Partnership initiative. Public associations of Belarus clearly declare the difference of their position in assessing the prospects of the Eastern Partnership initiative for Belarus and its usefulness to the country from the official position of the government. We all agree that we need a National Platform as a discussion site for all NGOs: for registered and unregistered ones, for long-existing and recently created civic initiatives. We all agree that we are responsible for preservation and development of the National Platform, irrespective of any views and positions we hold.

That is why during the preparation work for the next Conference there was proposed Memorandum to assess, that emphasized issues in which we see eye to eye, and that would have left the controversial issues for further discussion during the Conference. At the Conference the text of the Memorandum was amended and finally adopted almost unanimously.

While preparing for the Conference, the Steering Committee proposed to form an Interim Coordination Committee. Election of the Interim Coordination Committee was held in the heated debates: on 7 seats in the Committee were proposed about two dozen candidates. Part of the candidates withdrew their candidatures, from the remaining 12 places were elected 7 members of the Committee by preferential voting. No less heated debates were held during election of the Head of the Interim Coordination Committee. Eventually, from the two candidates was elected Head of the Interim Coordination Committee by 35 votes against 22.

In addition, there was adopted a general Resolution at the Conference. The Resolution was adopted by a majority vote with two abstentions, nobody voted against.

These outcomes of the Conference sent by the Steering Committee of the Conference to the media, were all covered in those materials.

Three days after the Conference a group of NGO leaders adopted a Statement  , published in the media. Signatories of the Statement expressed support for the Memorandum adopted at the Conference, thus, reaffirming their commitment to preserving the unity of the National Platform and their willingness to guide and organize its further development.

The Statement reflects concerns of the subsequent destiny of the very National Platform and possible directions of its development. Are denoted those issues of its further development on which contradictions still exist and on which the civil society representatives have not come yet to a common position. The point is both in interaction of the National Platform with the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, and in the degree of independence of the National Platform of Belarus. An important place holds the issue of the degree of activity and engagement of the National Platform in the ground Belarusian political processes, outlined in the Statement with the term of "politicization".

The Statement’s signatories express legitimate concerns about the further development of the National Platform under the leadership of the elected Interim Coordination Committee. And these concerns are caused by the composition of the elected Committee. Indeed, of the seven members of the Committee the five hold a similar position, while the two others are of other points of view, being different, as well. The Head of the Committee was elected from the majority. Thus, the composition of the elected Committee disproportionately represents existing views and approaches in the Belarusian civil society.

Such a disparity is not only of concern of those who signed the Statement, but also of the NGOs’ leaders themselves, elected into the Committee, including me as the Head of the Interim Coordination Committee. I realize these concerns, and realize that in a democratic environment one should respect and protect the position of minorities, but not benefit the majority. I am grateful to my colleagues and partners within the National Platform who have signed the Statement, for the fact that they have in proper way reminded me about it, to all the members of the Interim Coordination Committee and to all the members of the National Platform - both to existing ones and to those who are just planning to join it by signing the Memorandum.

I think that in a democratic society such reminders are never superfluous. I hope that the elected board of Interim Coordination Committee will remain faithful to democratic principles, will do everything possible for the position of the minority (the one presented while signing the Statement, and others in the minority) not to be violated, but also supported, as in open discussion, so in dissemination through the media we have at our disposal. For my part, I as the Head of the Interim Coordination Committee will exert every effort. Not accidentally, the site "EUROBELARUS" published  the text of the Statement as soon as it was announced.

One of the most important objectives of the Interim Coordination Committee, I see the continuation of the open debate on the issues indicated above, so that to work out till the next Conference the agreed common solutions on the direction of organizational and strategic development of the National Platform.

I must pay tribute to all those who signed the Statement. Despite their disappointment with the results of preferential voting and apportionments of votes during election of the Head, they remain faithful to democratic principles and don’t contest the election results and the procedure itself, take these results as they are and are willing to work and cooperate with the elected Interim Coordination Committee. The results of the Conference (as well as approved decisions and the Statement) underscore once again the importance of active personal engagement in public affairs. Perhaps those of the signatories, who did not take part in the Conference on October, the 29th 2011 would have found convincing arguments to persuade the other participants to support their position. Perhaps, exactly their votes in the elections would have been crucial and the Committee board would have been different. Perhaps, they would have been elected, too. I look forward to active participation of civil society representatives, who hold opposite views to mine, to work for a further dialogue on issues of great concern to all of us.

As the Head of the Interim Coordination Committee of the National Platform Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, I would like to encourage all members of the National Platform and all those who consider themselves being civil society representatives, all citizens of Belarus, from now on to remain faithful to democratic principles! To be active and initiative, because it is your voice, your opinion that might decide the outcome of any discussions, any vote!

Nowadays, when the regime is making massive attacks on civil rights, on the most fundamental human freedoms, such position is more important than ever.

Participation and engagement in the events rather than exception and standing back - this is what ensures that your position will not be forgotten, that your opinion will not be ignored, that your rights will be respected! It is our common concern, and it is concern of all of us!

     Uladzimir Matskiewich,

     Head of the Board of the International Consortium EUROBELARUS,

     Head of the Interim Coordination Committee of the National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum

     October, the 5th 2011