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A task group to study death penalty will be set up at the National Assembly of Belarus. The relevant decision was adopted at a session of the Council of the House of Representatives on 3 February 2010.

The task group consists of seven members of the National Assembly, including five deputies of the House of Representatives and two members of the Council of the Republic. The task group is led by Nikolai Samoseiko, Chairman of the Legislation and Judicial Affairs Commission of the House of Representatives.

“After the 1996 referendum [when the majority of Belarusian voted against the abolition of the capital punishment] over 13 years have passed. Drastic changes have taken place in the public and political life and the Belarusian legislation over this time. The debate on the abolition of death penalty is gaining momentum. This gives us reasons to discuss this issue at the level of the Parliament,” Nikolai Samoseiko says.

According to his comments, the task group will hold its first session within a week. The MPs intend to discuss their action plan. The task group will study public opinion on this issue and the views of representatives of government bodies and law enforcement agencies. The MPs might visit prisons where lifers are held. In addition, the MPs will have to study the experience of the neighboring states, Russia and Ukraine.