The provision for Capital punishment in Belarus has been a part of the country since gaining independence from the Soviet Union. The current national constitution prescribes this punishment for "grave crimes." Later laws have clarified the specific crimes for which capital punishment can be used. Capital punishment can be issued for crimes that occur against the state or against individuals. A few non-violent crimes can be issued with the sentence of capital punishment. According to Amnesty International, Belarus is the last country in the CIS and the whole of Europe to execute criminals.
Following a referendum on the issue, the Belarusian government has taken steps to change the way capital punishment is sentenced and carried out. 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.
Read more about Capital Punishment In Belarus: Legislation, Method, Number of Executions, Public Opinion, Court Cases, New Developments
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