News on the topic: legislation
11.09.2009 Belarus has the largest prison terms in Europe
‘The average prison term in Belarus is 6.3 years, whereas seven years of jail is considered a terrible penalty in Europe. This fact aggravates the correction of criminals and contributes to the stability of the criminal world,’ BelTA quotes Alexander Barkou, vice-director on the research of the Belarusian State University’s Institute for retraining of judges, officers of procuracies, courts and justice organs.
08.09.2009 Head of Supreme Court refused to discuss judicial come-offs again
As said by the resident of Babruisk Liubou Sankevich, the head of the Supreme Court Valiantsin Sukala refused to discuss the problem of judicial come-offs with a group of women who disagree with the court decisions on their civil cases or the criminal cases against their relatives, for the third time.
13.08.2009 Prosecutor’s office states there are no grounds for abolishing Article 193.1
The international association Civic Belarus (registered in the Czech Republic) has received an answer to their appeal from the General Prosecutor’s office of Belarus.
31.07.2009 Some 2,500 persons released under amnesty
Some 2,500 convicts have been released from Belarusian prisons under an amnesty marking the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, the BELTA news agency reports quoting Minister of the Interior Anatol Kuliashou. At a special session of the Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Affairs and CIS Relations, Mr.Kuliashou also mentioned the possibility of liberalizing the criminal legislation of Belarus. Still, the Minister admitted Belarus occupies the third place in the number of convicts, Russia and the USA taking the first two.
24.06.2009 Belarusian Parliament passes law on travel regulations
On 24 June the House of Representatives of Belarus passed the law on travel regulations at the second reading. According to Yauhen Melnikau, member of the parliamentary committee on national relations and mass media, said the bill would unify the grounds for temporary travel restrictions, including the cases of protecting national security, criminal prosecution etc.
18.06.2009 Baranavichy authorities mitigate rally procedures
Baranavichy Town Executive Committee has resolved to reform the procedures for holding mass actions in the town by freeing local civil activists of their duty to pay public security, medicine and fire brigade expenses in advance. According to the lawyer Siarhei Housha, the activists have achieved a little victory. ‘We insisted that the regional board of judges initiate changes to the legislation on mass actions. We must not sign contracts with the police, fire brigades etc. It is the task of the authorities, since the work of the officials is paid with the help of the taxes contributed by every working citizen,’ said Mr.Housha.
15.05.2009 MPs approved the decree on extraordinary taking children away from asocial parents
At its 15 May sitting the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus adopted the amendments to presidential decree #18 of 24 November 2006 On additional measures for the state protection of children in disadvantaged families.
06.05.2009 Lukashenka signed the law on amnesty
The president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenka signed the law On amnesty in connection with the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from German Nazi invaders.
04.05.2009 New offence on negligent parents
The Ministry of Internal Affairs proposes to introduce amendments to presidential decree #18 with the aim to increase the responsibility of parents who evade from paying alimonies.
29.04.2009 National Assembly opposing establishment of public commission for revision of criminal, civil cases
According to BelaPAN news agency, the National Assembly of Belarus has turned down the appeal by some 1,000 citizens urging the Parliament to form a public commission for revision of criminal and civil cases. The appeal was initiated by a number of women who disagreed with the verdicts of their civil cases as well as the criminal cases of their relatives. It stressed that the judiciary system of Belarus occupies a high position in the state system. ‘A judicial mistake may change the lives of many people. However, the Supreme Court and the General Prosecutor’s Office do not always correct such mistakes. There are dozens citizens fighting for a reasonable reply to their appeals concerning groundless and illegal verdicts. The steadiness of judicial mistakes undermines the people’s credibility in the state,’ says the statement.
21.04.2009 Supreme Court to humanize penal system
The Supreme Court of Belarus has adopted a resolution advertising the use of less punitive sentences, which might be another step towards the humanization of the Belarusian penal system. The Supreme Court has admitted that the majority of Belarusian prisoners representing little social danger, and thus recommended using less punitive programs – probation, parole, as well as a graded fines system. On the other hand, grave and repeat offenders are not likely to feel relieved.
15.04.2009 New Criminal Code is worked out in Belarus
At the press-conference on 15 April the chairman of the national security committee of the Chamber of Representative Viktar Huminski stated that ‘new criminal code is being worked out’.
15.04.2009 Law on amnesty passed by House of Representatives
On 15 April the House of Representatives of Belarus passed a bill on amnesty on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Fascist invaders. According to the acting Minister of the Interior Anatol Kuliashou, ‘Belarus has always actually adhered to the principles of humanism as far as convicts are concerned, one of them being the adoption of amnesty laws.’ As a result, some 4,500 persons will be released from prisons to save an estimated 2 billion roubles of the state budget.
11.02.2009 Cost of ‘bargain with justice’ won’t exceed $60.000
In each case the sum for a ‘bargain with justice’ will be determined by the state accuser. As said by the head of the Supreme Court of Belarus Valiantsin Sukala at the press-conference in Minsk, it won’t exceed $60 000.
05.02.2009 Minsk authorities send opposition activists to Banhalor Square again
Minsk city executive committee has named Bangalore Square as the place for gathering of the group collecting signatures for amendment of the Electoral Code.
