Legislation

The Law of The Republic of Belarus on National Minorities

(N 1926-XII of November 11, 1992)

The Law "On National Minorities in the Republic of Belarus" is based on the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, Declaration of Supreme Council of the Republic of Belarus on state sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus, principles of international law in the field of human rights and national minorities. The Law creates a legal basis for international relations and guarantees free development of national minorities in the Republic of Belarus. It shall promote harmonization of international relations in the Republic of Belarus, maintenance and development of cultures of national minorities and protection of their legal rights and interests.

Article 1

Any citizen of the Republic of Belarus may belong to any national minority by his (her) personal free choice. No unfavorable circumstances shall arise as a result of this freedom.

Article 2

Citizens of the Republic of Belarus attributing themselves to national minorities, shall respect Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, its laws, and promote maintenance of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of the republic, as well as respect traditions, language and culture of citizens of all nationalities living in the republic.

Article 3

Any direct or indirect restriction of rights and freedoms of citizens of the Republic of Belarus due to their national minority, as well as all attempts of assimilation against their will, shall be prohibited.

Article 4

Nobody under any circumstances, orally or in writing, may require a citizen of the Republic of Belarus to indicate his (her) nationality.

Nobody shall have a right to force a citizen of the Republic of Belarus to prove his (her) nationality or refuse from it.

Article 5

Respecting human rights, the Republic of Belarus guarantees to its citizens who attribute themselves to national minorities, equal political, economic and social rights and freedoms, including:

a) right to state assistance in the development of national culture and education;

b) right to study and use native language;

c) right to printer and distribute information in native language;

d) right to cultural relations with compatriots outside the Republic of Belarus;

e) right to any religion, national and ritual ceremonies in native language;

f) right to keep national traditions and habits and development of professional and amateur skills;

g) right to establishment of national cultural associations (societies);

h) right to be elected into government bodies of the Republic of Belarus on the basis of universal, equal and direct elections;

i) right to occupy any positions in state bodies of power and administration of the Republic of Belarus.

Article 6

Deliberative bodies of representatives of national minorities may be founded and function on voluntary basis within the structure of Councils of Deputies. The procedure of founding such bodies shall be determined by respective Councils of Deputies.

Article 7

In accord with the legislation, the Republic of Belarus shall promote material conditions for the development of education and culture of national minorities through state subsidies and allocations.

Article 8

National cultural societies (associations) of national minorities may perform economic activity in accord with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

Article 9

Social and cultural associations of national minorities may establish their own cultural and educational institutions using their own funds. Training of specialists for satisfaction of cultural interests of national minorities shall be carried out in accord with the possibilities of educational institutions of the republic and on the basis of contracts concluded with national/cultural associations.

Article 10

Old relics and monuments of national minorities in the territory of the Republic of Belarus shall be a part of Belarusian culture and safeguarded by the state in compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

Article 11

Any activity of national associations (groups) restricting human rights, promoting national, religious and racial animosity, or threatening Constitution and sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus, or groups being involved with any other country's political organization, shall be prohibited.

Article 12

Citizens of the Republic of Belarus of all nationalities shall be protected by the State under equal conditions.

Any actions directed at discrimination by nationality, or restriction of rights of national minorities, or rousing of national hatred, shall be prosecuted by the law.

Note: Unofficial translation

© National Centre of Legal Information of the Republic of Belarus, 1998-2000.

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