"ARATTA" - Chernihiv Region Charity

	Chernihiv Region Charity “Aratta”	Укр
	––– Home \| About us \| News \| Clubs \| Our partners \| Gallery \| Contacts –––

February 18, 2014.
Customs officers preparing a lawsuit to "Aratta" demanding to pay substantial fines or “Whom does the state protects?”

Chernihiv Region Charity "Aratta" is accused of violating customs regulations. The relevant Decree signed by the Deputy Chief of Chernihiv customs V.V. Melnyk says that ChRCh «Aratta», represented by Victoria Filatova, director and Svitlana Kravchenko, head of the commission of humanitarian aid, violated the rules on temporary storage of humanitarian aid, and in particular didn't submit an application in time for storage of humanitarian aid longer, and has committed an administrative offense under Part 2 of Art. 469 of the Customs Code of Ukraine, which means a fine of 500 tax-free minimum incomes (8500hrn. that is 25 500 hrn. for three protocols ;).

"Aratta" appealed a claim to the Novozavodsky District Court to protect director and the charitable organization, which for 15 years provided much-needed assistance to a large number of socially-unprotected families, children, educational and medical institutions, orphanages and boarding schools in Chernihiv region.

In the lawsuit was given an explanation that «Aratta " repeatedly reported to Chernihiv customs about the detention periods of storage, about the complexity and long delays in the recognition of humanitarian aid at the national level in relation to the reform of the system and authority of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine. Throughout the year, "Aratta" waged an intense correspondence and visited the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Income of Ukraine, spent large sums of money by paying for additional warehouses where we stored the aid.

Victoria Filatova, the director of ChRCh "Aratta», asked the court to take into account the circumstances that mitigate liability and cancel the penalty sanctions that will lead to major damage and complications for continuation of important charity work in Chernihiv region.

Regional Administration of Education and Science, Public Council under Chernihiv Region State Administration, boarding schools note in the petition to the Novozavodsky district court many years of «Aratta»’s hard work to support the most vulnerable people (disabled, large families, etc.).

Representatives of foreign charitable organizations that provide humanitarian assistance, are outraged and surprised that because of this minor offense which caused no harm such harsh penalties may be used for a non-profit organization.

The first court session was held on February 11, 2014 and the judge took the decision which is not in favour of «Aratta». Therefore, on February 18 and 19 active citizens of Chernihiv, members and wards of «Aratta» picketed premises of Novozavodsky District Court in Chernihiv during these hearings with the requirement to protect the charitable organization that is doing a lot of good things.

The Court rejected all three claims from «Aratta» and in the nearest future executive services will require 25 500 hrn.

We urge the new government as soon as possible to abolish draconian laws which act against the people.