Posted: 07.02.2023 10:39:00

Details released regarding the decree on work with those wishing to return to homeland

On February 6th, the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has signed Decree No. 25 On Consideration of Applications from Citizens of the Republic of Belarus Abroad Regarding their Possible Violation of Law – as reported in the Belarusian leader’s press service 


The decree envisages the formation of a commission authorised to consider relevant applications. It includes heads of state bodies, parliamentarians and representatives of public structures. The commission will be chaired by the Prosecutor General of Belarus.

Citizens of Belarus who wish to return to their homeland, who have committed administrative offenses or protest crimes from January 1st, 2020, before the entry into force of this decree and are afraid of returning to the country due to their possible involvement in the commission of such offenses and crimes, have the right to apply to the commission.

Relevant appeals can be sent by citizens until December 31st, 2023, in written or electronic form with the necessary documents attached.

At the same time, these persons must repent of their actions and inform the commission of their readiness after returning to make a public apology, compensate for the harm caused, observe the Constitution and legislation of Belarus, respect state symbols and national traditions, consciously and actively fulfil their civic duty.

Based on the results of consideration of appeals, citizens will be notified of the presence or absence of an administrative process against them, an initiated criminal case, as well as the possibility of their termination in the manner and on the conditions established by law. These decisions will be taken by the commission by open voting by a majority of votes and documented in minutes.

After that, citizens are required to arrive in the country no later than three months from the date the commission sent the relevant notification. If this requirement is not met, the decision of the commission loses its force.

At the same time, the decree envisages a guarantee that the adoption of any procedural decisions regarding arriving citizens is possible only with the consent of the Prosecutor General or the person acting in his capacity.