Anti- extremism commissions to be established in Belarusian regions

On 18 August Lukashenka signed Decree No. 356 to approve the provision on the establishment of commissions against extremism and terrorism.

The decree specifies that such commissions will be established upon the resolutions of oblast executive councils, the Minsk City Council on the territory of the corresponding regions or Minsk.

The document specifies the notion of objects of critical importance. Apart from that, it is envisaged that on the basis of the criteria determined by the State Security Committee the commissions will treat places of mass gathering, social, manufacturing, engineering, transport and energy infrastructure facilities as the objects of critical importance, will reveal and eliminate reasons and conditions which can cause extremist or terrorist activities in such places at the regional level.

The commissions will supervise and coordinate measures of organizations operating objects of critical importance regardless of the form of ownership depending on the real situation, economic efficiency and other conditions.

The commissions will also analyze the efficiency of anti-terrorism efforts of public bodies and other organizations operating objects of critical importance. This pertains to the level of security, fulfillment of corresponding legal norms, preventive measures prescribed by the State Security Committee and the Interior Ministry.

The decree shall enter into force on the day of its official publication.