Why hasn't Lukashenka signed "Law on Amnesty"?

120704 Luka6uk Amnistyia.mp3

The country celebrated the Independence Day, but prisoners have not started coming out of prisons under the amnesty-2012, although the amnesty was dedicated to this very holiday this year.

"Today we need to discuss some issues connected with the amnesty, which will be dedicated to the Independence Day, — Alyaksandr Lukashenka said at the consultative session on the amnesty issues on June 12. — Many people, in the first place, those who are in prisons now, are looking forward to this legal act".

He demanded that the draft bill should be prepared and approved by the MPs and senators as soon as possible. The document was sent to the Parliament already on June 15, and the deputies adopted it in two readings at a time on June 27.

On the next day after July 3 celebration Euroradio has been informed in the Department of Corrections, that they have not seen the law "On Amnesty" signed by the President thus none of the possible subjects of amnesty have been released so far. 

For example, there was a double amnesty in 2010 dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic war. They made the amnesty coincide with the Victory Day and the Independence Day. In the first case, the law came into force on May 5, in the second - on July 1.

According to the state leader's spokesman Pavel Lyohki, this year's delay is not connected with any external factors - it's just all the necessary technical procedures are being fulfilled.

Pavel Lyohki: "This is just the technical moment. Each law undergoes certain procedures. First - readings in the House of Representatives, then the law proceeds to the Council of Republic. At present moment, the procedures which the law should pass are about to complete: the law is in the Presidential Administration now under preparation for the President to sign it".

To Euroradio's question on those who are in prisons hoping for the corresponding legal act, the President's spokesman suggests that they should wait "for a day or two".

Pavel Lyohki: "Literally, a day or two. Naturally, I understand these people... Each day is of a great importance to them, but there is a technical procedure and we expect it to be completed in the nearest days".

Thus, the law just got stuck in the Presidential Administration, and wasn't returned, for instance, to the parliament for amendments. None of political prisoners will be released under the amnesty. However, Lukashenka warned about this.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka: "We must not amnesty the people who should not be released - despite all criteria, due to some political motives, in any case".