{"id":196839,"date":"2026-07-22T19:02:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T16:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/196839\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T19:02:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T16:02:47","slug":"religious-affairs-commissioner-becomes-directly-accountable-to-lukasenka","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/196839\/","title":{"rendered":"Religious affairs commissioner becomes directly accountable to \u0141uka\u0161enka"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

July 22, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka has signed a law making the commissioner for religious affairs directly accountable to him rather than to the Council of Ministers, the Belarusian leader\u2019s press office reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe change in status gives the commissioner\u2019s office broader opportunities to quickly coordinate and resolve necessary issues with other government agencies,\u201d the press office said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commissioner is appointed by the head of state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRelations with foreign religious centers representing the interests of the world\u2019s leading denominations often touch on a wide range of issues, including foreign policy and security,\u201d it added. \u201cThe direct subordination of the commissioner\u2019s office to the head of state will make it possible to simplify interaction in these areas and make it more effective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill, introduced by MP Valancin Siemianiaka from S\u0142onim, was approved by both chambers of the National Assembly in June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alaksandar Rumak, a former deputy labor minister, has served as commissioner for religious affairs since late 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two years ago, \u0141uka\u0161enka expanded the grounds for dissolving religious organizations and banned religious associations from expressing political positions that diverge from the official line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 93 Christian clergy members, including 37 Catholics, 31 Protestants, 20 Orthodox Christians and five Greek Catholics, faced some form of politically motivated persecution in Belarus between late 2020 and May 2026, according to the Chry\u015bcijanskaja Vizija group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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