Belarusian Criminal Code Proposes to Add Article on Responsibility for Violence or Threat of Violence Against a Former President
On August 12, the national legal internet portal published a draft law «On Amending Codes on Issues of Criminal Liability», which was brought to the attention of the publication «Zerkalo». The draft law proposes to add an article to the Belarusian Criminal Code that would hold individuals accountable for violence or threats of violence against a former president who has ceased to hold office.
This proposed addition to the Criminal Code is a response to the ongoing political crisis in Belarus, which began after the disputed presidential election in August 2020. The incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power since 1994 and has faced widespread protests and international condemnation for his authoritarian rule and crackdown on dissent.
The draft law specifically targets individuals who commit acts of violence or threaten violence against a former president who has left office. This includes physical attacks, threats, and other forms of intimidation. The proposed punishment for such actions is up to five years in prison.
The idea behind this proposed addition to the Criminal Code is to protect former presidents from potential harm and to uphold the principle of peaceful transfer of power. In many countries, former presidents are granted certain privileges and security measures to ensure their safety after leaving office. However, in Belarus, there are currently no specific laws in place to protect former presidents.
The draft law has sparked mixed reactions from the public. Some see it as a necessary measure to ensure the safety of former presidents, while others view it as another attempt by the current government to suppress dissent and maintain control.
Critics argue that the proposed law is too vague and could be used to target political opponents or anyone who speaks out against the government. They also point out that there are already laws in place that criminalize violence and threats of violence, and this addition to the Criminal Code is unnecessary.
Supporters of the draft law argue that it is a necessary step to prevent potential violence against former presidents, especially in the current political climate in Belarus. They also highlight the fact that many other countries have similar laws in place to protect their former leaders.
The draft law is still in its early stages and will need to go through several rounds of discussions and amendments before it can be officially adopted. It is also important to note that this proposed addition to the Criminal Code is just one of many changes being considered in response to the ongoing political crisis in Belarus.
In conclusion, the proposed addition to the Belarusian Criminal Code, which would hold individuals accountable for violence or threats of violence against a former president, is a response to the current political situation in the country. While it aims to protect former presidents, it has also sparked debate and criticism. Only time will tell if this draft law will be adopted and how it will be implemented in practice.
