Dissemination of prohibited information
Belarus has a strict ban on dissemination of extremist materials and Nazi symbols. These materials include calls to seize power by unconstitutional means, incitement of racial, national and religious hatred, as well as popularization of superiority or inferiority of citizens on the grounds of race, religion, nationality, language.
Administrative liability is provided for violation of the ban on distribution of such materials. Fines can range from 10 to 50 basic units ($125-$625) or even administrative arrest. Dissemination of information aimed at inciting hatred, humiliation of national honor and dignity may be qualified as a criminal offense punishable by up to 12 years of imprisonment. Calls for actions threatening national security are punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
In addition, the dissemination of pornography, information on terrorism and the distribution, possession and use of drugs, as well as information promoting suicide, is prohibited.
In Belarus, the punishment for distribution of narcotic drugs is very strict; it is comparable to the punishment for murder. The maximum punishment for this crime can reach up to 20 years of imprisonment. There are also special cases — if the crime was committed against minors or in places where they are located, the punishment can be increased to 25 years of imprisonment.
Photo ban in Belarus: where not to take pictures and filming
In Belarus, there are places where photography and videotaping are strictly prohibited. Among them are regime facilities, the border, casinos and others. Violation of the prohibition on filming can lead to trouble, including fines and administrative liability.
Where are photography and videotaping prohibited?
- In museums: It is prohibited without permission, the museum itself sets its own rules.
- At concerts: It is only allowed from your seats according to the ticket you have purchased. Filming from specialized venues requires accreditation.
- At regime facilities: Filming is prohibited at facilities where the interests of state security are affected, for example, at trunk pipelines.
- Aboard civil aviation.
- In libraries: It is prohibited to bring in and use various copying devices.
- In the courts: in state secretary of state cases.
- In embassies and consulates.
- At border control.
- In clubs, casinos, halls with playing machines: It is prohibited to film the visitors of the gambling establishment without their permission.
Filming people is prohibited if:
- the person verbally requests to stop filming (but this only applies to individuals, not civil servants at work in a publicly accessible place);
- the filming reveals personal and family secrets, confidentiality of telephone conversations, postal and other communications, health status;
- the subject has health problems (written consent is required);
- minors are filmed for the purpose of public distribution of images (consent of their legal representatives is required).
Otherwise, photography and videotaping are permitted.
If you decided to film from the air, we will disappoint you - aerial photography is prohibited in Belarus. To use unmanned aerial vehicles (quadrocopters), you need to obtain permits. But even after registration, you will not have the right to film, if you intend to record the obtained photo or video images on data carriers in the future.
After registration, the owner of the drone must submit an application to the Center of the Unified Air Traffic Organization System for the use of airspace.
It is also necessary to obtain permission to conduct aerial photography from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus, where the footage should be submitted after the filming to approve the possibility of its public use.
Violation of the rules for the use of airspace or the rules for the use of aircraft models is punishable by a fine of 20 basic units ($250) for individuals and 50 ($625) for legal entities.
Bit of the obvious
Some obvious but often ignored bans in Belarus. For example:
- It is prohibited to expose oneself or to urinate in public places. This is an administrative offense punishable by a fine of 2 to 30 basic units ($25 to $375), or in certain cases such actions may be classified as "Hooliganism", which carries a more severe penalty, up to and including imprisonment.
- Foreigners should also be aware of the prohibition on drinking alcohol in public places. Administrative liability is incurred not only for the fact of drinking, but also for appearing in a public place in a state of alcoholic intoxication. The violator may be fined from one to 15 basic units (from $12.5 to $187.5) or administrative arrest.
What cannot be imported and exported from Belarus
When crossing the border of Belarus, you should be careful and know what souvenirs and goods are prohibited for import and export.
Items prohibited for import into Belarus:
- Firearms and military equipment;
- drugs and poisons;
- radioactive and explosive substances.
There is also a list of service and civilian weapons, their parts and ammunition prohibited for import and export. This list includes:
- weapons that imitate other objects;
- cold bladed weapons and knives;
- gas weapons with nerve and poisonous substances.
Illegal transportation of such items is punishable by criminal liability, up to 12 years' imprisonment.
The importation of medicines can also bring trouble. Belarus has a list of psychotropic and narcotic substances that are subject to special control. They must be declared, as well as have a prescription and an extract from the hospital card in Russian or Belarusian. It is important to make sure that the medicines do not contain prohibited substances even in small concentrations. Medicines that do not contain prohibited substances may be imported in quantities of no more than five packages of the same type.
It is not possible to take pieces of art out of Belarus as a souvenir. In order to understand whether it is possible to export a purchased piece of art, it is necessary to contact the sector of expert art historians of the Ministry of Culture. Without this document, there may be problems at customs.
Hunting and fishing bans
If you like to relax in nature, hunt, fish, you should take into account that there is a ban on hunting and fishing in the republic during certain periods.
Hunting without a permit, in prohibited places or at prohibited times, as well as the use of prohibited tools is punishable by a fine from 20 to 50 basic units (from $250 to $625) and possible confiscation of hunting tools. Deprivation of a special license is also possible. The same applies to illegal fishing.
It is also not a good idea to violate safety rules while hunting, because this is also punishable by a fine of up to $500 or deprivation of a special license.
This also includes illegal transportation or cutting of wild animals. You can be fined between $250 and $625, and in the worst case, imprisonment for up to four years.
Special attention is paid to hunting animals listed in the Red Book. This requires a special permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources, coordinated with the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
Forest bans
Belarus is famous for its green forests. And the state cares a lot about the preservation of forests.
Foreigners should know that Belarus periodically imposes a ban on visiting forests due to increased fire danger.
Violation of the prohibition or fire safety requirements may result in a warning or a fine of up to 25 basic units (up to $312.5). If the violation resulted in destruction or damage to the forest, the fine increases to 50 basic units (up to $625).
Before going to the forest, it is better to make sure that there are no prohibitions to avoid trouble and fines.
Be careful when picking flowers in the forest. A fine of 20 to 50 basic units ($250 to $625) is imposed for collecting red-listed plants and flowers.
Ban on the use of surveillance technology
Foreign citizens should be aware that the use of surveillance equipment is prohibited in Belarus. Such equipment includes devices specially designed to covertly obtain information in the course of operational and investigative activities.
The manufacture, purchase or sale of such devices is punishable by up to 2 years' imprisonment. If you managed to "spy", the responsibility is tougher - up to 3 years of imprisonment. If ordered over the Internet, the gadgets may be confiscated and you will be fined up to $625.
An example of "spy" equipment is television and video cameras disguised as household items.
What a foreigner can be deported for
Foreigners staying in Belarus are obliged to comply with the legislation of the republic. Deportation from the country is possible not only for violation of migration legislation, but also for other misdemeanors.
Grounds for deportation:
- Violation of national security, public order, protection of morals, public health, rights and freedoms of citizens.
- After release from prison or colony.
- Lack of registration or expiration of its term.
- Committing five administrative offenses per year at the discretion of the authorized body (e.g., traffic violations, law enforcement, non-payment of taxes, illegal trade).
In some cases, deportation is possible for a single offense, such as:
- Drinking alcohol in a public place.
- Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs in a public place or at work.
- Hooliganism.
- Inflicting minor bodily harm.
- Drunk driving.
- Illegal trade.
- Infection with a sexually transmitted disease.
To avoid violations, guests of Belarus are advised to familiarize themselves with the main prohibitions before traveling and to be guided by common sense. In case of doubt, you can always consult MyUniver managers, who are well aware of the laws and can help you understand what is allowed and what is not.
