Capital punishment in Belarus

Death Penalty laws in Europe

Capital Punishment in Belarus

Capital punishment in Belarus is a legal penalty and is currently the only country in Europe that continues to carry out executions. The death penalty in Belarus is applied for certain serious crimes and is carried out by shooting.

History

The use of capital punishment in Belarus dates back to the Soviet era. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarus retained the death penalty in its legal system. The first execution in the post-Soviet era was carried out in 1992.

Legal Framework

The Constitution of Belarus and the Criminal Code of Belarus provide the legal basis for the death penalty. The death penalty can be imposed for crimes such as murder, terrorism, and other serious offenses. The President of Belarus has the authority to grant clemency, which can commute a death sentence to life imprisonment.

Execution Method

Executions in Belarus are carried out by a single gunshot to the back of the head. The condemned person is typically informed of their execution only moments before it is carried out. Executions are conducted in secrecy, and the bodies of the executed are not returned to their families.

Controversy and International Response

The use of the death penalty in Belarus has been a subject of significant controversy and criticism from international organizations, including the European Union and the United Nations. Human rights groups have condemned the secrecy surrounding executions and the lack of transparency in the judicial process.

Public Opinion

Public opinion in Belarus on the death penalty is divided. Some segments of the population support its use as a deterrent against serious crimes, while others advocate for its abolition, citing human rights concerns and the potential for judicial errors.

Recent Developments

In recent years, there have been calls from both domestic and international actors for Belarus to abolish the death penalty. However, as of the latest updates, the government has not taken significant steps towards abolition.

See Also

• Human rights in Belarus
• Judicial system of Belarus
• European Convention on Human Rights
• Abolition of capital punishment