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<p>Reposted from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: <a href="http://www.rferl.org/content/belarus-homosexuality/24902135.html" target="_blank">http://www.rferl.org/content/belarus-homosexuality/24902135.html</a></p><p>
The Belarusian Justice Ministry has refused to legally register a homosexual rights organization in Minsk. <br />
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 The organization's website -- gaybelarus.by -- published part of a letter from the ministry explaining the decision.<br />
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 It stated &quot;the organization does not have in its charter any clauses on supporting social maturity and comprehensive development of the Belarusian youth.&quot;<br />
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 The organization's charter states its major activities will be linked to defending the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals, and transsexuals.<br />
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 Organizations cannot legally operate unless they are registered with the Justice Ministry.<br />
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 The group plans to appeal the Justice Ministry's decision to the country's Supreme Court.<br />
 <br /> Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Belarus after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarusian homosexuals often face threats and attacks.</p>

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