MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) – Members of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus took note of the president's Ordinance No.2 “On protecting the sovereignty and the constitutional order” of 9 May 2021, BelTA has learned.
The ordinance is aimed at preserving Belarus' independence and sovereignty. In line with the document if the head of state dies as a result of an assassination, an act of terrorism, external aggression, or other violent acts all the government agencies and their civil servants will have to abide by decisions of the Security Council, the sessions of which shall be presided by the prime minister. A state of emergency or martial law shall be declared in Belarus. The Security Council shall define a list of measures to enforce it.
“For example, these measures can include restrictions on movement, ban on public events, a curfew, protection of certain persons and sites, and other activities,” Head of the Belarus President Administration Igor Sergeyenko said as he presented the ordinance. “All government agencies and their civil servants will have to abide by decisions of the Security Council. They will be binding, to be followed unconditionally. In case of failure to implement these decisions, heads of government agencies and organizations will be relieved of their posts, with other persons appointed to their posts,” he added.
According to Sergei Rachkov, Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic, the ordinance aims to ensure the country's national security and territorial integrity, peace and concord and to protect lives and health of Belarusians from global challenges and threats. “Today we are witnessing increased instability in international relations, use of pressure, double standards, interference in countries' domestic affairs by the so-called collective West. We are especially concerned about attempts to reinterpret the history of World War II and to implant ideas of Nazism in the minds of Belarusians. We have seen more and more manifestations of domestic extremism and terrorism. In this situation, the adoption of the ordinance is a timely and proper step,” he said.
Photos by Maksim Guchek
