A. Lukashenko: People should be aware of changes in laws and clearly understand consequences of non-compliance

18 марта 2021
Legislation in the field of national security and law and order is being improved in Belarus. The Presidential Administration, the Prosecutor's Office, the Security Council and the Ministry of Justice are working on the relevant draft laws. These are the new criminal and criminal procedure codes, changes in laws on countering extremism and the inadmissibility of the glorification of Nazism, laws on ensuring peace and order in the country, as well as regulation of legal activities. All these adjustments are not only a reaction to the events and challenges faced by our country last year, but also a long-standing purposeful work to curb illegal activities. 

The recent social poll and the proposals voiced on the dialogue platforms once again confirmed that the Belarusians do not need shocks. There is a demand for order and safety in society. 

At the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, the President made it clear: the process has begun. In the near future, the domestic laws will be amended to suppress riots, provocations and offenses. Various government agencies were instructed to prepare drafts of the relevant regulatory legal acts. Today, the President again met with those responsible for this work.

President: It is necessary to adjust the criminal and labor legislation

Many proposals on the topic of the day have already been taken into account in the updated administrative codes, the next step is amendments to the criminal law. The presidential administration is going to adopt a new version of the Criminal Code.

Decriminalization of new criminal code: 10 articles disappeared

The authors have done a lot of legislative work, completely revised the document and even excluded 10 articles and 24 corpus delicti.

Many states have recently followed the path of tightening legislation. In February of this year, fines were increased there for disobeying law enforcement and security agencies at rallies in Russia. Now, for repeated disobedience, offenders will have to pay up to $ 270, and legal entities face a fine of $ 2,700.

The Russian court can recognize even single pickets as a rally, if there are several of them on the same occasion. A ban on deliberate blocking of streets was also adopted in December last year, the maximum sentence is up to 10 years in prison. Many novels in terms of ensuring law and order were adopted by our country as well.

How Polish diplomats promote Nazism in Belarusian schools

This case recently shocked the entire country. Belarusian schoolchildren were dragged into a provocative event, commemorating the memory of the "damned soldiers" who, in 46, staged genocide against Belarusians. The event was attended by a Polish consul in Brest, for which he was immediately expelled from our country.

Fight against glorification of Nazism

Any attempt to rewrite history or extol cruelty will be thwarted by the Law. Though eight decades have passed, Belarusians did not forget the pain and fear of every third person who died during WWII.

Data bank of persons convicted of extremism to be created in Belarus

This is a signal for those who place Nazi symbols on mugs, T-shirts and even socks. The concept of "extremist materials" has been expanded: they will include not only information products, but also symbols and attributes intended for the propaganda of extremism.

The peak of protest activity in Belarus has passed, the country has returned to normal life. However, it is too early to be complacent. Another wave begins in telegram channels and other messengers, people are again being called to the streets.

Germany allowed any pandemic protest to be suppressed

Let's see how the West which is criticizing us reacts to this. In Germany, the riot law has been tightened. The government allowed to brutally suppressing any protest during the pandemic.

Liability for resistance to employees of internal affairs bodies to be strengthened in Belarus

Belarus, like many countries of "civilized Europe", will also be principled within the framework of the Law. Liability for resistance to employees of the internal affairs bodies and those who guard public order, as well as for using violence against them will be enhanced.

Belarus to introduce responsibility for the dissemination of personal data on the Internet

Liability will also be provided for personal data leaked into the public space. Everything is exactly the same as it is written and done in Western countries.

France has Europe's toughest public defamation law

For example, France, on the wave of protests from the "yellow vests", adopted the toughest law in Europe on insult in public space, as well as in messengers. Years in prison and fines for thousands of euros are pending.

Additional liability will be introduced for fake authors

The innovations will also affect advocacy. Three years of legal experience will not be required for those who are going to become lawyers. They will also simplify the qualification examination and entry into the bar, if the specialist has significant experience in courts, law enforcement system and justice bodies. 

On April 2, MPs will consider amendments in the field of national security and law and order

Our national security is at stake. We had enough shocks and do not want to return to last year at all. The state's response to any attempts at destabilization will be exclusively legal. On April 2, at the opening of the spring session, the deputies will consider amendments to the Belarusian legislation.