The Law on Alternative Service will come into force on July 1, 2016.

The Law on Alternative Service will come into force on July 1, 2016. This is stated in a message published on the National Legal Internet Portal, according to BELTA.

Citizens subject to conscription for active military service, service in reserve, who are fit in terms of health and physical development for active military service, service in reserve, and who have personally declared that taking the military oath, carrying, using weapons, or directly participating in the production and maintenance of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment contradicts their religious beliefs to such an extent that it becomes impossible to perform military service, may be directed to alternative service.

At the same time, those who are exempted from conscription for active military service, service in reserve, or who have the right to deferment from conscription for active military service (service in reserve) are not directed to such service.

Alternative service will be performed in healthcare organizations, social services, housing and communal services, agriculture and forestry, in organizations engaged in landscaping, construction and repair of roads and railways; in addition, such citizens may be involved in the liquidation of the consequences of natural and man-made emergencies.

"The citizen's application (wishing to perform alternative service. - BELTA's note) shall be considered at a meeting of the conscription commission in his presence. In addition, representatives of religious and other organizations, and other citizens who can provide explanations on the substance of the application may be invited to such a meeting," the message states. The conscription commission makes a decision to replace military service with alternative service if the materials and oral information provided by the citizen, as well as documents and information obtained by the conscription commission independently, confirm the existence of grounds preventing military service. If the commission refuses, this can be appealed to a higher commission or in court.

Those without higher education will perform alternative service for 36 months, and those with higher education - for 24 months. Alternative service members, in particular, are not entitled to participate in strikes; engage in entrepreneurial activities; perform other paid work (besides their service). From the republican budget funds, they will be paid a monthly monetary allowance amounting to 150% of the highest value of the subsistence minimum per capita, approved by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Belarus, for the last two quarters.

The amount of the established monetary allowance will be increased: by 20% of the subsistence minimum - from the 13th month of alternative service; by 40% - from the 25th month of alternative service.

As reported, in 2012-2014, 61 people expressed a desire to perform alternative service in Belarus, including 28 people in 2014.

News of Belarus (BELTA)