Details of decree on commissions for people willing to return to Belarus - where to apply, what are the conditions, plan of action

On February 6, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree "On consideration of applications of citizens of the Republic of Belarus abroad related to the committed offenses." The details of the document and instructions for those who have committed offenses or protest crimes, but have repented and want to return home, were published by the Telegram channel "Pool of the First",

The decree provides for the formation of a commission authorized to consider the relevant appeals. It will include heads of government agencies, parliamentarians and representatives of public institutions. The commission will be chaired by the Prosecutor General of Belarus.

Citizens of Belarus, who have committed administrative offenses or crimes of protest orientation in the period from January 1, 2020 to the entry into force of this decree, and who fear returning to the country because of their possible involvement in such offenses or crimes, may apply to the commission.

The corresponding appeals can be sent by citizens until December 31, 2023 in written or electronic form with the necessary documents.

Such persons must repent of what they have done and inform the commission about their readiness to make public apologies after their return, compensate for the harm done, comply with the Constitution and legislation of Belarus, respect the state symbols and national traditions and consciously and actively perform their civic duty.

According to the results of the review of appeals, citizens will be notified about the presence or absence of administrative proceedings or criminal proceedings initiated against them and about the possibility of their termination in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions established by law. These decisions will be made by the commission by open voting by majority vote and drawn up in protocols.

After that, citizens are required to arrive in the country no later than three months from the date of notification by the commission. In case of non-compliance with this requirement, the decision of the commission becomes invalid.

At the same time, the decree provides a guarantee that any procedural decisions with respect to the citizens arriving may be taken only with the consent of the Prosecutor General or a person acting in his capacity.