Belarus has humanised penalties

The law "On Amendments to the Codes on Criminal Liability" enters into force today. The sanctions for more than 60 offences have been supplemented with alternative types of punishment. The length of sentences has been reduced. A number of changes have been made in the initiation of criminal proceedings for road traffic accidents. No deprivation of liberty will now be imposed on women who have committed a minor offence for the first time and on single men who are raising children under 14 years of age. The same applies to minors and persons with disabilities of group I, except for extremist offences and offences against person.