The President signed two important documents today: the Law on National Security and the Law on State Protection.
The latter expands the list of persons eligible for state protection, for instance, the members of the Armed Forces, other troops and military units carrying out their duties to protect public order, the members of the Presidential Security Service, the Operative and Analytical Centre under the President of Belarus, and the persons close to the above mentioned persons. Thus, protection measures can be applied to anyone who is threatened in connection with their official duties, including civil servants, judges, media workers, members of election commissions, 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 regulatory bodies, but also by employees of other government agencies, members of election commissions, journalists, athletes, teachers, representatives of public organizations in connection with a clear expression of their civic position that supports the course pursued by the state. The proposed amendments will allow the state to apply 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 encroachment on their life, health, or property. In other words, the state ensures not only public safety, but also the safety of individuals."
The document on national security introduces amendments to the laws regulating the activities of internal affairs bodies and a number of other law enforcement agencies and paramilitary organizations. It specifies the conditions and limits of the use of physical force, special means, weapons, military and special equipment. The law enforcement officers shall not be held liable for the 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 granted the right to use combat and special equipment when suppressing mass disorder.












