BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

01/03/2007

Belarus Enforces Harsher Penalties For Minor Offenses

Two amended codes dealing with acts punishable under administrative law and with judicial procedures come into force in Belarus on March 1, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported. According to the government, the codes were adjusted to meet European standards in the judicial branch. However, some Belarusian lawyers and human rights defenders say the new codes simultaneously toughen penalties for minor offenses. In particular, the maximum arrest term for an offence punishable under administrative law was increased from 15 to 25 days. "I have an ambivalent feeling about these codes," human rights defender Valyantsin Stefanovich told RFE/RL. "Indeed, many things have been regulated [properly]. For example, a person may be taken to court only following a court decision. But I'm worried about three other things: Now offenses punishable under administrative law carry a penalty of up to 25 days in jail, arrested people may not receive parcels, and it is actually impossible to appeal against a court decision putting a person under arrest." JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/03/3-CEE/cee-010307.asp