Martial law can be introduced in Belarus

The “council of the republic” passed a bill proposing amendments to certain laws regarding wartime.

Defence minister Andrei Raukou, who introduced the bill to MPs, says the document specifies grounds for introducing martial law. The bill proposes to impose martial law if there is a threat to the constitutional order, BelaPAN repots.

According to the rules of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), an act of aggression against one member state or a group of states is considered to be an attack on Belarus.

Raukou said that the list of measures of observing martial law was specified and expanded. The measures include a ban on creating political parties, unions, associations and other organisations. The work of the mass media, expect for those chosen by the Ministry of Information, can be suspended.

According to Raukou the main new feature of the bill is that it clearly differentiates the power and functions of government bodies, milit