Republic

Council of Republic passes 46 bills during eighth session

The eighth session of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus ended on December 20. The upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament passed forty-six bills and four presidential decrees during the session. In his concluding speech Gennady Novitsky, Speaker of the Council of the Republic, noted that the Council had concentrated efforts on reinforcing the state, developing the economy and improving living standards of Belarusians. For example, the Speaker said, the next year’s budget bill and the presidential decree on approving major parameters of Belarus’ social and economic development in 2008 are aimed at ensuring progressive advance of the country. The gross domestic product is to grow by 8-9% up on 2007. Measures taken to decrease the tax burden will leave around one trillion rubles on hands of tax payers. The money should be primarily used as investments in the development of manufacturing capacity, said Gennady Novitsky. He stressed, the social orientation of the state budget has been preserved. The session also approved many bills designed to develop the social sphere. For example, the professional pension insurance law lays down the legal, economic and organisational foundation of pension insurance for people working in special conditions. The law on state subsidies to families with children was revised. Amendments were introduced to the law on the social protection of orphans and parentless children. The Council of the Republic also approved an amnesty bill. According to the Chairman of the Council of the Republic, the amnesty will free around 3,500 convicts from punishment. Efforts meant to perfect criminal and criminal procedural laws continued. For instance, some articles of the Criminal Code, which regulate the responsibility for illegal turnover of drugs, were amended. The responsibility for breaking environmental laws was stepped up. The development of the legal base for international cooperation occupied an important position on the agenda of the eighth session. Twelve international agreements and conventions were ratified. The Speaker particularly singled out the Belarusian-Italian agreement regulating the social protection of Belarusian children during their recreation trips to Italy.