MINSK, 6 September (BelTA) – The possibility of requiring Belarus citizens to inform authorities about the acquisition of a different citizenship or documents that grant privileges is under consideration. Belarusian Internal Affairs Minister Ivan Kubrakov made the statement during the government conference hosted by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko to discuss the improvement of citizenship legislation and the organization of an amnesty, BelTA has learned.
A bill has been prepared to amend the law on citizenship. The bill contains a number of novelties. The possibility of restricting rights and freedoms of Belarus citizens, who have a different citizenship, in cases specified by the Constitution and regulatory acts is one of them.
According to Ivan Kubrakov, the bill requires Belarus citizens to inform the authorities about the acquisition of a foreign citizenship or the acquisition of a residence permit or another document that grants privileges or other advantages (for instance, Pole's cards).
In his words, the novelties will allow compiling a set of data that can be used later on as an effective tool for ensuring state interests and maintaining law and order. In particular, the data can be used for vetting personnel for civil service, taking care of other matters relating to personnel hiring for positions with the relevant restrictions. The data can also be used in the sphere of criminal procedure legislation. “We believe it is premature to introduce administrative punishment for failures to report the possession of documents of foreign states at present,” the internal affairs minister said.
