Regional activities > European police and judicial systems Belarus

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1. Introduction

 1.1 Location

Belarus is located in the eastern part of Europe, bordered by Poland to the west, by Latvia and Lithuania to the north, by Russia to the east and by Ukraine to the south.

 1.2 Area - Population - Language

• 207600 km²
  
• 10,3 million
  
• Belarusian, Russian

Territorial divisions: 6 regions (Brest, Vitebsk, Grodno, Gomel, Minsk, Moguilev) and the capital city, Minsk.

 1.3 Government

According to Article 1 of its Constitution, the Republic of Belarus is a unitary democratic social legal state with three branches of power: Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. The Executive Branch is headed by the President, the Legislative Branch is composed of the two-chamber Parliament and the Judiciary Branch comprises the courts.

2. Police system

 2.1 Law enforcement bodies

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus is the organ of public administration that is authorised to control and co-ordinate all activities in the following fields: counter crime activities, law and order, and the maintenance of public security.

The Ministry is at the head of the country's system of internal government bodies and services.

 2.2 Belarus - Police Organization Chart

Under construction.

 2.3 NCB structure

NCB Minsk was founded in November, 1993. The head of NCB is appointed by the Minister of Internal Affairs.

The Bureau has 3 divisions:

• Division 1: General Crime Department
  Tasks:
  
  • To process and exchange official and confidential information on international criminal activities
    
  • To forward information to competent law enforcement agencies in Belarus or the corresponding NCBs of other Interpol member countries
    
  
  
• Division 2: Organizational and Operations Section
  Tasks:
  
  • To analyse general information and statistics
    
  • To be the contact point for communications with the Interpol General Secretariat
    
  • To undertake urgent translations
    
    
• Division 3: Data Processing Department
  Tasks:
  
  • To receive and transmit police intelligence
    
  • To collect incoming/outgoing records
    
  • To update the NCB and national police databases
    
  • To supervise general document turnaround
    
  • To provide the NCB with modern computer software

 2.4 International investigations

In accordance with national legislation, all investigations on the territory of the Republic of Belarus shall be carried out by competent national law enforcement agencies.

A request for legal assistance, letters rogatory or request for any judicial proceeding should be sent through diplomatic channels to the Ministry of Justice or the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Belarus.

All other requests that require criminal intelligence checks, registration, data, identification of individuals, verification of information etc., i.e. check that do not require judicial authorisation should be sent through Interpol channels to NCB Minsk.

Where a country has an international treaty for police co-operation with the Republic of Belarus, the latter can render police assistance at any level. Belarus has close police ties with all C.I.S. countries, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. Belarusian police carry out operations and act in concert with the law enforcement agencies of Russia and Ukraine, resulting from their history of structured co-operation.

 2.5 Pre-trial police and judicial powers

(*) may be extended to 18 months.

3. Judicial system

 3.1 General

The judicial system in Belarus is based upon the principles of territory and specialisation. The creation of extraordinary courts is prohibited. The judicial system acts in accordance with the law. Judges are independent and are subject only to the law.

The system has 2 levels:

1. Courts of common law
   

• the Supreme Court
  
  
• Regional Courts
  
  
• The Court of Minsk city
  
  
• District Courts
  
  
• Military Courts

2. Economic Courts

• the Supreme Economic Court
  
  
• Regional Economic Courts
  
  
• the Economic Court of Minsk city

All court examinations are held on the basis of territorial principle.

An appeal against a District Court decision can be heard by the Regional Court. The Supreme Court usually examines appeals over decisions of Regional or District Courts.

A Constitutional Court exercises control over the conformity of legal instruments with the Constitution.

 3.2 Prosecution

The centralized prosecution system is headed by the Prosecutor General, who is proposed by the Parliament and appointed by the Head of State. The prosecution system is similar to the judicial system described, although it is distinguished by the existence of some inter-regional and military offices.

4. Investigation possibilities and international co-operation

 4.1 Possibilities

(*) All options are possible under national legislation, but those asterisked are most frequently used by the police.

 4.2 Access to files (through NCB)

 4.3 Liaison officers

4.3.1 Belarusian Liaison officers posted abroad

C.I.S. countries, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland.

4.3.2 Foreign Liaison officers posted to Belarus

Germany, Belgium, Scandinavian countries (for Belgium and Scandinavian countries: the same officer is posted for Russia and Belarus).

5. Police/Customs co-operation

Police and customs co-operation is mutually beneficial and although these two official state activities are implemented by two different departments, co-operation between them is constant and effective. Customs officers can investigate criminal cases, arrest suspects and seize goods obtained illegally. The Police can request information on customs examinations, customs receipts, vehicle border crossings, etc on demand.

6. Miscellaneous

 6.1 Public holidays

January 1	New Year's Day
January 7	Orthodox Christmas
March 8	Women’s Day
May 1	Labour Day
May 9	Victory Day (WW 2)
July 3	Independence Day
December 25	Catholic Christmas

Regional activities - European police and judicial systems