“MP” Hlaz: Don't mix up amnesty and political prisoners

“Amnesty and politics should not be mixed together,” Anatoly Hlaz, the deputy chair of the human rights commission at the “house of representatives”, says.

“My strong belief is that prisoners should be released regardless their belonging or not belonging to the opposition  if the articles over which they are convicted are mentioned in the amnesty,” the member of “parliament” told Interfax-Zapad news agency.

Hlaz thinks, “Some people count for no reasons we will free those jailed allegedly on political motives on this occasion.” “These are absolutely incommensurable things. The law on amnesty will choose the people who will get early release in accordance with articles of the Criminal Code, not with political likes or dislikes,” the deputy chair of the “parliamentary” commission says.

Hlaz says he agrees with Lukashenka's opinion that “people who committed not dangerous for the society offences should not be in prison and live at our expense”. The MP says opinions that amnesty leads to a rise in crime are groundless. “The rate of repeated crimes among amnestied people keeps on the same levels,” Hlaz says.

According to him, “The amnesty gives a large group of people an opportunity to go to freedom and appreciate the humane gesture of the state.” “This is a right measure taking into account our criminal legislation is not yet balanced, to put it mildly. There are many inconsistencies that allow courts to deliver punishments not corresponding the danger of crimes – stricter or milder. Unfortunately, courts often give stricter punishments,” the deputy chair of the “parliamentary” commission says.