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Status of "A Country to Live in" foundation: Extremist formation and its consequences

Status of "A Country to Live in" Foundation: Extremist formation and its consequences

On July 12, 2021, several resources of the "A Country to Live in" fund (CFL) were recognized as extremist materials, and on November 30, 2022, the Fund itself was declared an "extremist formation". In this article, together with lawyers, we will try to provide simple and detailed answers to questions related to this status in order to safeguard all those who have participated in our activities.

1. What is recognized as extremist?

Telegram channel "A Country to Live in": https://t.me/strana_official.
Telegram channel of the "A Country to Live in" fund: https://t.me/stranafund.
Telegram chat "A Country to Live in": https://t.me/strana_chat.
Chat-bot: @strana_official_bot.
Telegram channel "Prison for Life": https://t.me/strana_turma.
Merchandise: T-shirts, caps, mugs, and other items with the "A Country to Live in" logo.
Website of the "A Country to Live in" fund: https://ru.stranafund.org.
Website of "Real News": https://sdzh.org/news.
Printed edition "Real News".
YouTube channel "A Country to Live in": https://www.youtube.com/@stranazhizni.
Social media:

VKontakte - https://www.vk.com/strana_888.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/strana888.

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stranadlyazhizni.

Instagram of the "A Country to Live in" fund - https://www.instagram.com/strana.fund.

Facebook of the "A Country to Live in" fund - https://www.facebook.com/stranafund.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/strana888.

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@strana888.

Odnoklassniki - https://www.ok.ru/strana888.

2. What are the consequences for assisting the Fund or assisting someone through the Fund?

Assistance to the Fund or to someone through the Fund may result in persecution and repression by the authorities for:

1) Financing extremist activities:

Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Penalty: up to 5 years of imprisonment.

2) Assisting extremist activities:

Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Penalty: up to 7 years of imprisonment.

Important:

The Fund does not provide donor information.
There is a risk of prosecution for donations made before the Fund was declared extremist.

3. What are the consequences for receiving assistance from the Fund?

People receiving assistance from the Fund may also face the risk of repression for:

1) Violation of legislation on foreign gratuitous aid:

Article 24.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus.
Penalty: a fine ranging from 10 to 30 basic units with confiscation of aid.

2) Assisting extremist activities:

Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Penalty: up to 7 years of imprisonment.

Important: The Fund does not provide anyone with data on aid recipients. All employees and volunteers have signed non-disclosure agreements and agreements on personal data.

Recommendations:

Observe digital security rules.
Do not subscribe to the Fund's resources.
Do not comment on or react to posts.
Clear correspondence with the Fund and cache in messengers.
Set up and use gadgets and accounts correctly.

If you need assistance with digital security issues, contact our technical support project, where volunteers will help you understand the issue and reduce risks.

4. What does this status mean for the employees and volunteers of the Fund?

Employees and volunteers of the Fund may face pressure and be subjected to repression.

Potential criminal liability:

1) Creation of an extremist formation:

Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Punishment: up to 6 years of imprisonment.

2) Participation in an extremist formation:

Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Punishment: up to 6 years of imprisonment.

3) Assisting extremist activities:

Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Punishment: up to 7 years of imprisonment.

5. Can you subscribe to and read the Fund's resources?

For those in Belarus, subscribing to the Fund and reading its resources has become dangerous. Law enforcement agencies may monitor the activity of subscribers and readers, which can lead to negative consequences.

Subscribing to the Fund's resources may be qualified as:

1) Participation in an extremist formation:

Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Punishment: up to 6 years of imprisonment.

2) Dissemination of extremist materials:

Article 19.11 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Punishment: a fine ranging from 10 to 500 basic units or administrative arrest for up to 15 days, including confiscation of "means of committing offenses" (for example, a phone or computer).

3) Treason to the state:

Article 356 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Punishment: up to 15 years of imprisonment.

It should be noted that the practice in Belarus is currently unstable. For example, there is a practice of bringing administrative liability for the distribution, storage, manufacture, or transportation of products recognized as "extremist materials."

6. Official position of the Fund:

The Fund disagrees with the decision to declare it an extremist formation.
The Fund considers this decision politically motivated and aimed at silencing those who speak the truth.
The Fund continues its activities.

The status of an "extremist formation" has had a serious impact on our work. We face restrictions, repression, and security threats. However, we continue our activities and continue to help political prisoners and their families, as well as support activists. And we urge everyone who shares our values to support our work.

7. How did the status of an "extremist organization" affect the Fund's work?

1) Review of security protocols:

The Fund has reviewed security protocols to protect its employees, volunteers, and beneficiaries.
This includes measures to protect the confidentiality of information and communication.

2) Changing the approach to working with people in Belarus:

The Fund has changed its approach to working with people living in Belarus to minimize risks for them.
This includes the use of safer methods of communication and support.

3) Rebuilding work:

The Fund has had to spend a lot of time and resources restructuring its work due to the new status.
This includes changing the logistics of providing assistance and fundraising campaigns.

4) Refusal of assistance from cards of Belarusian and Russian banks:

The Fund has stopped accepting assistance from cards of Belarusian and Russian banks due to sanctions and restrictions.

5) Continuous response to new challenges:

The Fund constantly monitors the situation in Belarus and develops new instructions to respond to new challenges.
This is necessary to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Specific steps taken to ensure the safety of its employees, volunteers, and beneficiaries cannot be disclosed for security reasons.

8. How to protect yourself?