PACE Deputy Chairman Blasts Political Amendments to Criminal Code :: Charter'97 :: News

Tadeusz Ivinski, deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, had criticized amendments to the Belarusian legislation, previously adopted by the “council of representatives”. As he told to the Radio Svaboda, “Such amendments should be assessed unambiguously critically, as it is attempts to block those sources of independent information in Belarus and from Belarus that still exist. As a deputy head of the PACE, I should note that last year the Assembly passed a report on situation in Belarus, stating that the democracy, freedom of speech in this country are under threat in this country. Since that time nothing changed for the better unfortunately. These amendments probably are related to the upcoming presidential elections. It’s an attempt to block everything”.

A number of new articles is added to the Criminal Code, in particular, an Article 193-1 (illegal organising of activities of a public association, foundation or participation in their activities). The article envisages that the organizing of activities or participation in the activities of organizations or foundations, a decision on liquidation or suspension of which had been made, are to be punished by a fine or an arrest up to six months, or by imprisonemtn for up to two years.

A person who voluntarily stopped participation in this organization and stated to the corresponding state agencies about that, is to be released from criminal responsibility if no other elements of a crime were found in his actions.

The Article 293 is accompanied by a norm according to which education or other preparation of persons for mass riots, or financing of such actions are to be punished by an arrest for up to six months or imprisonment for up to three years.

The Article 342 is supplemented by a provision envisaging that training or other preparation of people for participation in group actions, grossly violating public order, as well as financing or other material support of such activities when elements of other more serious crimes are absent, could be punished by an arrest for a term up to six months, or imprisonment for up to two years.

According to the bill, the responsibility for public appeals for seizure of power or forcible constitutional system is increased. The punishment could be from six months of arrest to up to three years of imprisonment.

The calls addressed to foreign states to perform actions damaging external security of Belarus, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as dissemination of materials containing such appeals, are to be punished by an arrest for a term from six month to three years. In case there calls will be disseminated via mass media, the punishment becomes stricter, a restriction of liberty from two to five years is applied.

A new article is added to the Criminal Code, “Discrediting of the Republic of Belarus”. Discrediting means “fraudulent representation of political, economic, social, military or international situation of the Republic of Belarus, the legal status of the citizens of the Republic of Belarus or its government agencies”. Such actions are to be punished by an arrest for up to six months or imprisonment for up to two years.