Defence minister of Belarus: Soldiers to be punish for membership in political parties
26- 8.10.2009, 11:12
Conscript soldiers must suspend membership in political parties from the moment of conscription til the end of the service in the Armed Forces of Belarus Leanid Maltsau.
“Without doubt, one in active military service must suspend his activities in political parties since the moment of call-up and till the end of the service. For continuing political activities a solider will be brought to responsibility under the laws of Belarus,” Defence Minister said, Interfax informs.
Te minister delivered a speech at the session of the “chamber of representatives” of the “national assembly” of Belarus with a report on the draft law “On a serviceman’s status” and he spoke out on the offered norms. “Deputies” of the lower chamber upheld the draft law in the first reading.
Defence Minister explained to journalists that membership in a political party during a military service was stipulated by Belarusian laws before as well. However, since 1992 there were no changes in the law “On a serviceman’s status” which would correspond the current reality.
Answering the question about a few activists of oppositional parties who are currently serving in Belarusian army, Maltsau answered that political activities of those soldiers should be suspended under the law.
Besides, the changes in the law include some restrictions for freedom of travel during the military service, which is necessary for the national security. The new law also stipulates a suspension of studies of one in active military service in civil universities for the period of the military service.
“A soldier should at least take a year out in the university from the moment of conscription,” Maltsau said. The minister stressed that restrictions of some rights and freedoms would be compensated by a number of benefits for those in active military service.
The minister noted that insurance compensations should be made for soldiers in the same measure as for policemen, workers of the state control and emergency ministry.
Maltsau reminded that the Belarusian law prohibits participation of those in active military service in strikes as a way of solving problems of military service, and participation in any organisations, including public organisations which have any political aims.
