Lukashenko enacts legislation granting amnesty
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Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, has signed an amnesty law in honor of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War. This new law is a part of a long line of amnesty approaches but with some exciting updates.
The amnesty applies to around 8,000 convicts in the Belarusian penal system. To qualify for the amnesty, convicts must fully compensate for any damage caused by their crimes and receive a positive character reference while serving their sentence.
The legislation also provides a way out for individuals who have committed minor crimes or less severe offenses that don't pose significant threats to society. Specific groups of people, such as pregnant women, minors, individuals with disabilities, and those affected by the Chernobyl disaster, are given priority.
Moreover, convicts who don't completely meet the criteria for amnesty will see a reduction of one year in their sentence.
Over the past 30 years, the number of prisoners in Belarusian prisons has reportedly decreased by half[3]. Previously, the Belarusian authorities have granted pardons to convicts, including a U.S. citizen[4].
So, the new amnesty law is a thoughtful move by President Lukashenko to mark the 80th anniversary of the war victory, offering relief to a small section of convicts across the Belarusian penal system who meet the eligibility criteria. 🇧🇾💪🕊️
- Despite Lukashenko's amnesty policy having historical precedence, the new law includes novel updates for the 8,000 convicts within the Belarusian penal system.
- The calculated benefits of this legislation reach not only severe offenders but also minors, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and those affected by the Chernobyl disaster, who stand prioritized for amnesty.
- A noteworthy aspect of the amnesty law is the reduction of one year in the sentences of those who fail to fulfill the criteria, even if they don't completely meet the qualifications.
- Amid general news coverage of the new amnesty law, stakeholders in the policy-and-legislation and politics domains are particularly interested in witnessing its overall impact on the Belarusian penal system.
