Belarus Changes Military Service Act
11- 16.05.2023, 8:59
- 12,648
Studying abroad is no longer a reason for draft exemption.
Belarus has changed the Military Duty and Military Service Act. It was amended and published today, on May 16, on the National Legal Internet Portal, the amendments were also adopted.
Most importantly, studying abroad is not a reason for draft exemption anymore. Also, those who have registered their departure for permanent residence abroad are now subject to removal from the military register.
Draft exemptions
Draft exemptions for Belarusians studying abroad have been cancelled. It will be received only by those students who study abroad on the decisions of the state bodies and administration as part of the implementation of state projects. But there is an exception: there are draft exemptions for those students who entered foreign universities for full-time studies under the age of 18.
The act also provides that only one of the family members eligible for draft exemptions can be granted a draft exemption “at the request of the relatives”.
Other changes
There are also two other regulations that might be interesting. Those who have registered a “departure for permanent residence (registered permanent residence) outside the Republic of Belarus” can be removed from the military register.
The period required for enrollment in the reserve military service was changed for individuals who did not serve in the regular army but served in law enforcement agencies. Previously it was possible to work for two years (24 months) in a certified position, for example, in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Investigative Committee or the Ministry of Internal Affairs instead of serving in the army. Now the term has been increased to five years (60 months). This does not apply only to graduates of the universities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. That is, if they refuse to follow work orders after graduation, they will only have to compensate for training, but it will no longer be necessary to serve the draft.
