Bill on alternative service passed by deputies

10 ноября 2014

Alexandra Savenko: The deputies approved the bill on alternative service in the first reading. In compliance with documents, young people aged 18-27, whose belief does not allow taking weapons, are entitled to alternative service. The terms of such service are 3 years for men and two years for graduates of universities. Such servicemen will have to work 48 hours or 6 days a week in the fields of social welfare, medical institutions, forestry and utility services.


The main idea of the bill is to give an opportunity to perform one's duty to a person, whose religious beliefs do not allow taking weapons.


Vladimir Vasilenko, The Chair of the Standing House Committee on Social Welfare: People, who can not serve in the army due to their religious beliefs will be entitled to alternative service.


Marianna Shchetkina, the Belarusian Minister of Labor and Social Welfare: As well other servicemen, those people, who will be engaged in the alternative service, will not have a right to be involved in business activity or otherwise employed.


The candidates for the alternative service will have to prove their religious affiliations.


Another issue discussed by parliamentarians is ratification of the protocol between the governments of Russia and Belarus on relations in the field of oil and oil products.


This document was signed in in Astana in May.


Galina Lazovskaya, member of the Permanent Commission on Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media at the House of Representatives of Belarus: The document will settle Russian oil deliveries to Belarus in 2015, to provide load for oil refineries in Belarus, and in addition to enroll in the budget of our country $ 1.5 billion of import customs duties on petroleum products.


MPs also ratified several Belarusian-Georgian agreements on the exchange of information in tax matters.


The deputies also agreed on innovations concerning terminology in the field of human trafficking.


Vasily Alexeenko, member of the Standing Commission on National Security at the House of Representatives of Belarus: It will be vey difficult for all illegal migrants to drive through our country and get to Europe.


All the bills were unanimously adopted by deputies.