А. Lukashenko signs two important documents

18 мая 2021

The Head of State signed two important documents: the Law on National Security and the Law on State Protection.

The latter expands the range of persons subject to state protection. For example, it includes members of the Armed Forces, other troops and military units when carrying out public order protection duties, the Presidential Security Service and the Operational and Analytical Centre under the President of Belarus, and relatives of the above-mentioned persons. Thus, protection measures will be available to any person who is threatened in connection with their official duties, including civil servants, judges, media workers, members of election commissions and other persons, as well as their relatives.

Yury Nazarenko, First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Belarus, Head of the Public Security Police: Last year, insults and threats to life, health and property were received not only by judges, representatives of law enforcement and supervisory bodies, but also by employees of other state structures, members of election commissions, journalists, athletes, teachers, representatives of public organisations in connection with a clear expression of their civic position supporting the course pursued by the state. The proposed amendments will allow the government to take security measures and provide legal and social protection, including material compensation, not only to civil servants, but also to any citizen of the Republic of Belarus, a foreign citizen, or a stateless person, if there is a threat of an attack on their life, health or property. In other words, the state ensures not only public security, but also the security of individuals.

The National Security Document amends the laws that regulate the operation of the internal affairs bodies and a number of other law enforcement bodies and paramilitary organisations. It specifies the conditions and limits for the use of physical force, special means, weapons, military and special equipment. It is stipulated that law enforcement officers shall not be held liable for harm caused as a result of their use if such use was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the legislative acts regulating the activities of these bodies. In addition, internal affairs bodies are empowered to use military and special equipment when suppressing mass disorder.