News on the topic: legislation
13.11.2012 Tamara Sidarenka: A very broad definition is given for terrorism
The changes introduced into the legislation about fight on terrorism and countering extremism made the definition of terrorism very broad in Belarus. Such an opinion was given by the expert of the Center for Legal Transformation Tamara Sidarenka to the EuroBelarus’s press-service.
19.10.2012 BCD campaigns for amending Healthcare Code
The activists of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party have addressed the Council of Ministers, Healthcare Ministry and the House of Representatives with over 2,000 signatures under a petition calling to amend the current Healthcare Code.
10.10.2012 Slonim deputies oppose environmental protection initiatives
About 1.5 months ago a group of Slonim citizens addressed the Slonim District Council with the proposal to consider the question of putting a ban on the entry of private vehicles in the wood along the Slonim-Baranavichy highway and imposing fines for discharge of garbage in the Slonim forests.
21.08.2012 Does Article 441 of the Criminal Code implement its function in penal colonies?
Article 441 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, “Malignant insubordination to the administration of the correctional facility which executes the punishment in the form of deprivation of liberty” is a reliable means to exercise pressure and “re-educate” prisoners, used by the administration of the Belarusian penal colonies. However, does this article really implement the functions which were given to it by the legislators?
02.08.2012 Citizens propose appointing Ryhor Vasilevich head of the Supreme Court
33 representatives of the Civil initiative against injustice at courts and procuracies addressed Aliaksandr Lukashenka with the proposal to appoint Ryhor Vasilevich the head of the Supreme Court instead of Valiantsin Sukala.
25.07.2012 Political prisoners in jails on verge of new sentences
The scope of means used by those who are entrusted with the fate of prisoners includes plenty of methods that look legitimate and are aimed at making the conviction life-long. Such a disappointing conclusion has been voiced by human rights lawyer Pavel Sapelka following the analysis of the provisions of Article 411 of the Criminal Code – “Deliberate disobedience to the correctional institution administration that executes the sentence of imprisonment.”
23.07.2012 Pavel Sapelka: “Deprivation of defendants’ right to vote is groundless”
The lists of citizens of Belarus who have the right to vote has about 7 million voters. Ballots are usually cast by more than 5 million. Behind these figures it is difficult to see 40-50 thousand persons deprived of their right to vote in connection with criminal proceedings.
29.06.2012 Illegal opinion polls to be fined
Carrying out opinion polls without accreditation will be punished with fines in Belarus.
27.06.2012 The Ministry of Information will fight against extremism and terrorism
The Ministry of Information, together with the Border and Customs Committees of Belarus, can be included into the list of state establishments that fight against terrorism and extremism.
27.06.2012 House of Representatives adopts law on amnesty in two readings at a time
Minister of Internal Affairs, General-Mayor of Police Ihar Shunevich presented the draft bill to the members of the House of Representatives.
11.06.2012 Proposals on humanization of criminal-executive legislation can sink in bureaucratic correspondence
Anzhalika Kambalava, a member of the Baranavichy city branch of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, received an answer from the deputy head of the regular commission on national security of the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly Anatol Vankovich, to whom he had sent a proposal on humanization of the criminal-executive legislation towards convicts.
11.06.2012 Baranavichy residents demand amendment of electoral legislation
Civil activist Ryhor Hryk collected 105 signatures of local citizens under an appeal for amendment of the electoral legislation of Belarus.
06.06.2012 MPs don’t hurry with humanization of legal norms concerning prisoners
Member of the Baranavichy city branch of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee Anzhalika Kambalava received an answer from the member of the lower chamber of the Parliament, Sviatlana Pishch.
29.05.2012 Brest campaigners for electoral reform report harassment by security officials
Several Brest activists campaigning for the reform of the electoral legislation have been intimidated by local police and KGB employees, says the campaign’s member Viktar Chaikouski.
24.05.2012 Pre-trial detention: measure of restraint or punishment?
The law enforcement agencies of Belarus have drafted a bill “On Making Addenda and Amendments to the Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedures, and the Penal Code of Belarus, as well as the Code of Administrative Offences”, said Mrs. Natallia Andreyeva, head of the department of procedural control over the investigation of crimes against property of the Investigative Committee of Belarus, at a briefing with a BelTA news agency reporter.
