Belarus President’s decree expanding participation of State Inspectorate for Fauna and Flora Protection in ensuring national security

On January 15th, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 27 On the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Flora and Fauna under the President of the Republic of Belarus. sb.by reports citing the Belarusian leader’s press service

The document envisages the expansion of the participation of the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora in ensuring Belarus’ national security, in connection with which new tasks have been assigned to this structure (along with the preservation of all previously existing ones).

In particular, officials of the state structure are empowered to search citizens and their belongings, including with the help of technical and special means, at the entrances to protected facilities of the agency, as well as to seize prohibited items and substances. Drivers of the inspectorate vehicles involved in the suppression of unlawful acts have the right to use weapons, physical force and special means on an equal footing with the inspectors.

In order to increase the effectiveness of its activities, the units of the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora are being equipped with modern technical means.

The decree was adopted in fulfilment of the Head of State’s requirements to eliminate the multiplicity of legal regulation and to ensure easy perception of legislation. Instead of three decrees (No. 341 as of June 29th, 2010, No. 443 as of September 25th, 2013 and No. 269 as of July 15th, 2019), a single comprehensive document regulating the activities of the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora under the President of the Republic of Belarus has been prepared.