The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News on the topic: legislation

29.01.2009 Offender rehabilitation centers to be created in Vitsebsk region

According to Vitsebsk regional prosecutor Henadz Dysko, over 50% of crimes in the region are committed by ex-convicts. He says it is not only because of their propensity to break the law, but due to certain social aspects as well. Going at large, offenders sometimes cannot find a job or even do not have a place to live. Employers do not usually welcome such workers. Besides, the amount of released convicts is much larger that the number of vacancies. In 2008 only 250 working places were reserved for them – meanwhile over 2,000 people were released last year.

21.01.2009 General prosecutor admits possibility of abolition of capital punishment

At a press-conference on 21 January, the General Prosecutor of Belarus Ryhor Vasilevich said death penalty may be abolished after Belarus joins the Council of Europe. ‘This is a requirement by the Council of Europe, this is a rule. If we join it – we have to obey the existing rules. They say when in Rome do as the Romans do,’ said Mr.Vasilevich. Meanwhile, he said that at present ‘the sentence can exist as a precaution measure’. Mr.Vasilevich also said only one death sentence was passed in Belarus in 2008 – it was a man who had raped and murdered an 8-year-old boy in Homel.

16.01.2009 No benefits for Chernobyl disaster fighters

The new law on social security for Chernobyl disaster fighters appears to be a mere compilation of previous legislative acts. On 14 January president Lukashenka approved the law ‘On the social protection of the Chernobyl disaster victims and other nuclear accidents’. The act is ‘to secure adequate level of social protection for the Chernobyl disaster victims’. However, the ‘adequate level’ lacks free public transport travel and other benefits lifted by the president’s decree in late 2007.

09.01.2009 Lukashenka signs law on office of European Commission in Belarus

Alexander Lukashenka signed the law on representation of the European Commission in Belarus. The law was adopted by the parliament in December 2008.

12.12.2008 Ministry of Justice demands explanations concerning activities of BPF Youth

The Ministry of Justice submitted to the Board of the Belarusian Popular Front Party the demand to present information on BPF Youth. In the text of the ministry’s request it is also said that all structures of political parties must be created on territorial principle. ‘Therewith, according to the information of the Ministry of Justice, recently the activities of a structure of the BPF Party – BPF Youth have started. In particular, on 25-26 October 2008 the assembly of this structure was held and its chairman was elected,’ writes the deputy minister of justice A.Bileichyk.

12.12.2008 Legislative invention of Belarusian KGB

Introduction of administrative responsibility for divulging state secrets through negligence is planned in Belarus.

01.12.2008 Reporters Without Borders call Belarusian authorities not to increase surveillance of Internet

Reporters Without Borders has learned that two independent newspapers that were dropped from official distribution networks for criticizing the government - the weekly Narodnaya Volia and the fortnightly Nasha Niva - yesterday signed contracts that will allow them to appear in the state postal monopoly Belposhta’s newspaper subscription catalogue and to be on sale in the state-owned Belsayuzdruk’s chain of newsstands.

01.12.2008 Lukashenka signed law on protection of information

On 10 November Alexander Lukashenka signed the law On Information, Informatization, and Information Protection. It was published on 26 November and will come into force six months after the publication.

03.10.2008 The parliament amends the Law on Procuracy

The House of Representatives amended the Law on Procuracy of the Republic of Belarus according to which proficiency examination and practical training are not needed for work in procuracy.

15.01.2008 Brest Police Turn down Complaints against Bad Incarceration Conditions

The administration of Leninski district police department of Brest did not acknowledge the facts that were enumerated in the complaint of the activist of For Freedom movement Inha Abramava against the improper conditions of incarceration in the temporary isolation ward.

19.12.2007 Six categories restricted to travel abroad

The databank about citizens of Belarus who are temporarily restricted to travel abroad includes 6 categories of persons.

12.12.2007 Internet Can’t Be Silenced

The House of Representatives has adopted a draft law 'On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information' in the first reading.

06.12.2007 40 000 Signatures for Amendment of Law On Religion

According to Siarhei Lukanin, the spokesman of the campaign of freedom of conscience, about 40.000 signatures have been collected for amendment of the law 'On religious organizations and freedom of conscience'.