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World Jewish News
Belarus Drafts Law on Punishment for Nazi symbols
10.05.2009
A draft law stipulating administrative responsibility for public demonstration, production, and distribution of Nazi symbols or attributes is depending in the House of Representatives of Belarus' National Assembly.
The creation of this document has been initiated by the Ministry of Justice on the basis of addresses of citizens and collectives, including veteran associations that, according to the report, are concerned about stepping up of groups and movements "avowing ideological connection with national socialism and using Nazi and similar to them symbols and attributes" in a number of neighbouring states,
as Byela pan reports with reference to the official website of the Ministry of Justice.
In accordance with the bill, propaganda or public demonstration, production or distribution of Nazi symbols or attributes can be punished by a fine of up to
200 base amounts. At the same time, it is suggested to seize "the object of administrative violation, as well as instruments and means of its commitment."
An offender can be subject to administrative arrest.
In compliance with the draft law, resorting to Nazi symbols or attributes is planned to be restricted exclusively in cases provided by law and connected to propaganda of both symbols as such and the ideas of Nazism as a whole (e.g., not applicable to educational purposes).
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