MINSK, 28 September (BelTA) - There is a proposal to hold a separate referendum on the death penalty in Belarus, Chairman of the Constitutional Court and Chairman of the Constitutional Commission Piotr Miklashevich told the media following the discussion of the changes to the Belarusian Constitution with the president on 28 September, BelTA has learned.
“The meeting of the Constitutional Commission also highlighted the issue related to Article 24 of the Constitution that provides for the use of the death penalty. Today's position of the Constitutional Commission is that there is currently no need to submit this issue to the upcoming referendum [on a new version of the Constitution which is to be held no later than February 2022]. This matter needs a separate referendum in the future,” said Piotr Miklashevich.
In his words, it is considered inexpedient to raise the question of abolishing the death penalty and changing the order of its application today. “This is a very sensitive issue. It was considered in a referendum in 1996. A special referendum will require appropriate work, sociological studies, explanatory work and verification of the readiness of society to take such a responsible decision,” the head of the Constitutional Commission said.
