Individual Approach and Fairness. Key Focuses of Lukashenko's Meeting on Amnesty and Criminal Legislation

Presidential Press Secretary of Belarus, Natalya Eismont, speaking to journalists after a meeting with the Head of State on improving legislation on criminal liability, shared the main points of the event, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. following the meeting

Natalya Eismont recalled that two socially resonant topics were considered: the implementation of amnesty and the improvement of criminal liability measures for certain types of crimes, particularly less serious ones. Reports were heard from the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ivan Kubrakov, and the Chairman of the Supreme Court, Valentin Sukalo. "The Head of State supported the rapporteurs' approaches on the main topics discussed today," said Natalya Eismont.

According to her, the discussion, which lasted about two hours, focused on two crucial principles that the Head of State has repeatedly emphasized. "Individual approach and the principle of justice – these were the President's focus throughout the meeting," the press secretary stressed.

Alexander Lukashenko drew the particular attention of responsible officials to specific points. "For example, the President spoke about the work of the Commission on Pardons under the President of the Republic of Belarus. Here, the President's principles and requirements are as follows: the commission's work must be constantly improved, and the President expects proposals from the commission," Natalya Eismont noted. And, undoubtedly, the proposals submitted by the commission to the Head of State must be based on the principle of justice and an individual approach.

During the meeting, the work of law enforcement agencies and their individual structural units, such as juvenile inspectorates and the Department of Execution of Punishments, was also discussed.

"Issues related to drug-related offenses were discussed separately. The role of juvenile commissions is clear here, and it is understood that the President expects an intensification of the work of these commissions. Such a signal was given today," the press secretary added.

At the same time, the work of law enforcement officers must be based on the principle of justice. And any manifestations of the so-called "stick-and-badge" system are absolutely unacceptable. "The President has spoken about this many times before, and today he reiterated it to the Minister of Internal Affairs, in particular," noted Natalya Eismont.

The work of correctional institutions and the Department of Execution of Penalties was discussed at the meeting in connection with the upcoming amnesty and pardons. The President sees the need to strengthen the role of correctional institutions, to take their opinions into account when making decisions on amnesty or pardon, as it is they who know about the behavior of those serving sentences.

A separate topic is employment, and in particular, the employment of pardoned and amnestied individuals. "This must be unconditional and must be carried out without question. The President emphasized this and announced a major discussion on employment issues at the highest level, at the presidential level," said Natalya Eismont.

The Head of State also stressed the importance of ensuring control over persons who will be released as a result of the amnesty, as well as their registration. "They will be released from places of detention under certain conditions. And the control over how these conditions are observed must be ironclad. Otherwise, as the President said, the reaction will be instantaneous and harsh," stated the press secretary. "With all the mitigating approaches, with all the principles of justice on which we are working, the President undoubtedly places the issue of security at the forefront."

Source: belta.by