Enacted Legislation in Belarus Targets Extremism: New Articles Detailed

Spicing Up Belarus's Criminal Code Overhaul

Step aside, dear readers, as we delve into Belarus's recent move to amend its criminal codes, deemed the 'Lukashenko Law.' It's a whopper!

President Alexander Lukashenko has signed a legislation bombshell, introducing new articles for good measure, tackling extremism and Holocaust denial, as well as regulations for mass events. This bombshell was unveiled on the National Legal Internet Portal, reported by "RIA Novosti."

Once approved by the lower house of parliament and endorsed by the upper house, the document will come into force mainly within three months.

The document serves up new additions to the criminal code, reinforcing penalties in the context of several thematic laws, such as countering extremism, Holocaust denial, and the procedure for holding mass events.

But wait, there's more! The law, in its wisdom, decides to get rid of 10 articles and 24 criminal offenses due to their low practical relevance. In all, around 70 criminal offenses have had their punishments tweaked.

Now, what about those extremist groups you've been wondering about? Fret not! The current criminal code offers only punishment for leading and creating extremist groups. The new law, however, criminalizes other offenses, such as participating in extremist groups, inciting extremist activities, training, and financing extremist activities. The maximum penalty, depending on the crime and circumstances, can be up to eight years in prison.

The new law also sets criminal liability for repeatedly violating the rules for organizing or conducting mass events. The maximum penalty for this offense is three years in prison.

The document takes aim at internet resource owners who distribute prohibited information within a year after being administratively penalized, illegal collection and distribution of personal data, and failure to comply with data protection requirements.

If the case involves disclosing information about a person's private life or personal data in connection with their official duties or public service, a penalty of up to five years in prison is provided.

The document also sets liability for the illegal collection or acquisition of information constituting state secrets with the intent to disseminate it, but without signs of treason or espionage. Penalties are prescribed, including imprisonment of up to four years, for repeated acts of propaganda or public display of Nazi symbols or paraphernalia.

The responsibility for killing a police officer, resisting individuals maintaining public order, using or threatening violence against such individuals, and publicly insulting a representative of authority or their relatives in connection with the performance of their duties has been increased.

The law improves the procedure for imposing penalties, establishes a more differentiated approach to imposing fines and allows for their installment, and introduces restrictions on freedom as an alternative to imprisonment for certain criminal offenses.

The revised criminal procedural code provides for the use of mediation mechanisms and expands the use of information technology in criminal proceedings.

Amendments are also made to the criminal executive code, for example, clarifying the procedure for serving sentences for certain categories of convicted persons, receiving parcels and money transfers in penal institutions, and the procedure for making telephone calls, including video calls.

Enrichment Alert! With this new law, Belarus isn't just tightening the screws; it's essentially escalating its efforts to control every aspect of life under the guise of 'security measures.' The focus seems mainly on cracking down on dissent, persecuting religious groups, restricting NGOs, and targeting political opposition.

As reported, authorities have been actively designating online resources as 'extremist formations' and increasing control over state secrets. Moreover, criminalizing unregistered organizations and re-registration of religious groups under threat of criminal liability are solid strategies for maintaining power.

President Alexander Lukashenko has signed a legislation known as the 'Lukashenko Law,' which introduces new articles to the criminal code addressing extremism, Holocaust denial, and regulations for mass events.
The new law criminalizes not only leading and creating extremist groups but also participating in them, inciting extremist activities, training, and financing extremist activities.
The document sets criminal liability for repeatedly violating the rules for organizing or conducting mass events, with a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
The law also targets internet resource owners who distribute prohibited information and those who illegally collect and distribute personal data, providing penalties for these offenses.
The revised criminal procedural code provides for the use of mediation mechanisms and expands the use of information technology in criminal proceedings, a move that could potentially strengthen state control over political opposition and NGOs.