Capital punishment in Belarus

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Belarus. At least one execution was carried out in the country in 2022.^[1]

Also known as an Exceptional Measure of Punishment (Russian: Исключительная Мера Наказания, ИМН),^[2] the death penalty has been a part of the country's legal system since gaining independence from the Soviet Union on August 25, 1991. The current national constitution prescribes this punishment for "grave crimes." Later laws have clarified the specific crimes for which capital punishment can be used. The death penalty can be imposed for crimes that occur against the state or against individuals. A few non-violent crimes can also be punishable by death. As of 2021^[update], Belarus is the only country in Europe that continues to carry out the death penalty.^[3] Executions are carried out by a single shot to the back of the head.

Following a referendum on the issue, the Belarusian government took steps to change the way capital punishment is imposed and carried out.^[4] International organisations, such as the United Nations, have criticised the methods Belarus uses when carrying out capital punishment. The use of capital punishment is one factor keeping the country out of the Council of Europe.^[5]

^ "Belarus: UN Human Rights Committee condemns execution". OHCHR. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^ "Authorities keep torturing death convict's mother". Viasna Human Rights Centre. Minsk. November 24, 2014. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
^ Amnesty International- Document- Commonwealth of Independent states: Belarus- the last executioner
^ Embassy of Belarus in the United Kingdom Capital Punishment in Belarus and Changes of Belarus Criminal Legislation related thereto Archived December 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
^ Belpan (April 5, 2001). "Seminar on death penalty abolition held in Brest". BrestOnline. Archived from the original on February 9, 2006. Retrieved November 3, 2007.

[1] "Belarus: UN Human Rights Committee condemns execution". OHCHR. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

[viasna-20141124-2] "Authorities keep torturing death convict's mother". Viasna Human Rights Centre. Minsk. November 24, 2014. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.

[3] Amnesty International- Document- Commonwealth of Independent states: Belarus- the last executioner

[byemb-4] Embassy of Belarus in the United Kingdom Capital Punishment in Belarus and Changes of Belarus Criminal Legislation related thereto Archived December 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 29, 2007.

[brestonline-5] Belpan (April 5, 2001). "Seminar on death penalty abolition held in Brest". BrestOnline. Archived from the original on February 9, 2006. Retrieved November 3, 2007.

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