Criminal Code establishes the legal framework governing criminal liability and punishment. It is based on key principles such as legality, equality before the law, justice, and humanism, requiring that only acts explicitly prohibited by law and committed with culpability—either intent or negligence—can be prosecuted. The Code defines crimes and outlines the grounds for criminal responsibility. The Act introduces the concept of ecocide - intentional mass destruction of flora or fauna, or contamination of atmospheric air or water resources, or other intentional actions capable of causing an environmental disaster. It lists crimes against environmental security, nature management that are recognized as socially dangerous acts, committed intentionally or through negligence, that have caused or may cause harm to the land, water, subsoil, forests, flora and fauna, atmospheric air and other natural objects classified as such by environmental protection legislation, regardless of the form of ownership, violation of protection and management of protected areas. Separate provisions regard illegal fisheries and hunting, without licenses, during prohibited fishing and hunting periods, with the use of prohibited fishing and hunting gear and methods, and with harder penalties applicable for illegal fisheries and hunting of endangered species included in the national Red Book. The Act also establishes liability for cruelty to an animal resulting in its death or injury. The Code punishes violation of safety regulations for production, storage, use, transportation, disposal or other handling of genetically engineered organisms, biological or chemical substances, committed in an ecologically unfavorable area or resulting in intentional or negligent damage on a large scale or negligent illness of people. Penalties are envisaged for the violation of veterinary and sanitary requirements and procedures related to veterinary medicine or import of goods subject to veterinary control (supervision) without permission for their import, which, through negligence, resulted in the spread of contagious animal diseases. The document emphasizes procedural safeguards, clear legal definitions, and proportional sentencing. It establishes factors that may mitigate or aggravate punishment and includes special protection for minors and vulnerable persons. Additionally, the Code incorporates elements of international criminal law, enabling the prosecution of serious offenses such as genocide, terrorism, and crimes against humanity, including those committed beyond national borders in accordance with Belarus’s international obligations.
白俄罗斯 · 1999-07-09