Civil society bill bans extremist propaganda

December 29, BPN. The activities of civil society entities “shall not be aimed at advocating war or extremism,” the bill “On the Foundations of Civil Society” reads.

It was published on the National Legal Internet Portal on December 22.

The new piece of legislation lists nine tasks for cooperation between the state and civil society, such as support of Belarus’ independence and civic unity, patriotic education, and assistance to “democratic” development.

It provides for “participation of civil society entities in the formation and implementation of state policy” and “election of delegates to the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly.”

The bill passed the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Belarusian National Assembly, without much debate on December 20.

It was drafted by the Council of Ministers at the initiative of Alaksandr Łukašenka.