Parliaments of Belarus, Moldova sign joint statement on cooperation
Zinaida Greceanii and Vladimir Andreichenko
MINSK, 5 May (BelTA) – The National Assembly of Belarus and the Parliament of Moldova signed a joint statement of cooperation in Minsk on 5 May, BelTA has learned.
The document was signed by Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko and Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova and Speaker of the Moldovan parliament Zinaida Greceanii.
Vladimir Andreichenko, Zinaida Greceanii, and Natalya Kochanova
“We have a lot of opportunities for cooperation in many areas: politics, trade, economy, industry, agriculture. I am sure that the MPs will take a more active part in the work of our intergovernmental structures, in the efforts to promote cooperation between regions and twin cities. We should pay special attention to our cooperation in international parliamentary organizations in order to promote our resolutions which are unifying an
Belarusian parliament passes amendments stifling press freedom
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Women wearing black clothing and tape over their mouths demonstrate against the conviction of
a journalist and a doctor over the disclosure of a protester’s medical records, Minsk, Belarus, 2 March 2021, -/AFP via Getty Images The legislation includes a ban on coverage of unsanctioned protests, restrictions on the establishment of media outlets, and other policies to restrict press freedom. To enter into force, it needs to be approved by the Constitutional Court and signed by President Lukashenko.
This statement was originally published on cpj.org on 4 May 2021.
The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a set of amendments passed by the Belarusian parliament that could severely stifle press freedom in the country.
Bill on protecting judges, civil servants past Belarusian parliament
MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – The Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus has passed a bill on amending the law on the state protection of judges, officials of law enforcement and oversight agencies, officers of state protection bodies, BelTA has learned.
Belarusian Internal Affairs Minister Ivan Kubrakov said: “Amendments to the law have been dictated by time. Officials received threats in late 2020 and in early 2021 due to the execution of their official duties. Not only law enforcement officers or judges were threatened but also people with an active civil stance – teachers, artists, reporters also received a large number of threats. This is why the bill introduces the term ‘other people to be protected .”
Senators approve bill on public rallies in Belarus
MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – Senators approved the bill to amend the law on mass events in Belarus at a meeting of the fifth session of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus of the seventh convocation, BelTA has learned. Amendments to the law on mass events were dictated by time and law enforcement practice, Belarusian Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Kubrakov said. “The new bill scraps the notification-based procedure for organizing mass events when it was enough to notify the authorities. We have made changes. We suggest a mandatory application-based procedure. Why? The second half of 2020 showed that some individuals, namely the destructive forces, used this regulation to organize mass events. Crimes were committed during riots, including grave ones.
Bill on protecting personal data past Belarusian parliament
MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – The Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus has approved a bill on protecting personal data, BelTA has learned.
The bill is designed to protect rights and freedoms of citizens during collection, processing, dissemination or provision of their personal data.
Director of the National Center of Legislation and Legal Research Vadim Ipatov said: “We haven t had such a comprehensive law up till now. This law will regulate everything as far as personal data is concerned.”
In his words, similar laws already exist in many countries. “We ve approached this matter and the legal environment will be understandable. The legal environment is being created taking into account international acts,” he said. “The head of state will choose the agency to protect personal data. The law reads that this body is independent. It can be entrusted with some other functions in addition to per