Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Konyuk took part in the 16th Meeting of the Prosecutors General of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

On 20 September 2018, in Dushanbe (Republic of Tajikistan), the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Konyuk took part in the 16^th Meeting of the Prosecutors General of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (hereinafter – SCO). 

The Forum was attended by heads of prosecutorial authorities of SCO member states: India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 

Republic of Belarus is an observer state to SCO. 

The subject of the meeting is a counteraction of international terrorism and extremism. 

In his opening statement Aleksandr Konyuk admitted that extremism and his extreme form – a terrorism constitute a menace to the state’s constitutional system basis, sustainable economic development, right to secure and progressive development for each nation. 

“Our country traditionally has formed good and respectful relations between different nations and cultures without any religious, national or other type of persecution. At the same time the location of Belarus at the transit traffic junction of illegal migrants has predetermine certain threats”, ‑ Prosecutor General mentioned. 

He added that a subject of great attention of law enforcement agencies is the citizens – combatants who act outside their state. Returning they are often involved in illegal firearms and explosives trafficking. 

The head of supervising body has informed on introduction in Belarus the criminal liability for creation of extremist formation and financing of its activity. Has explained that along with recruitment that assumes material compensation as an obligatory element of the law provision the participation itself of our citizens and stateless persons in armed conflict or military actions abroad is recognized as a crime in our country. 

As a result 7 Belarus citizens have been criminally prosecuted and 18 citizens of other states were identified as participants in operations last year. 

The Prosecutor General has informed on revealed facts of distribution of materials promoting the religious and national enmity, racial and Nazism ideas. 

«Radicalism, search and conversion of new persons among immature youth, their involvement in the forbidden organisations and the fulfilment of terrorist actions are just a part of modern threats. Only effective international cooperation, congruent internal work of law enforcement bodies of the states are the key factors in counteraction of promotion of radical doctrines and the prevention of terrorist actions on religious base», ‑ were specified by Alexander Konjuk. 

The Prosecutor General of Belarus has assured colleagues of readiness for constructive interaction in struggle against extremism. «It, certainly, will promote safety and stability in region, goals achievement of the organisation on its west0ern boundaries», ‑ he has concluded. 

The following agreements were reached at the meeting: on escalating of joint efforts in struggle against transnational crimes (illicit trafficking of psychoactive substances, human trafficking) as they form the basic source of financing of extremism and terrorism; on facilitating the information exchange about the persons involved in terrorist and extremist oriented crimes. 

During the session the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Konjuk conducted bilateral meetings with foreign partners concerning strengthening of professional communications, exchange of fight against crime experience, achievement of higher level of interagency cooperation. 

The next session of the Meeting of the Prosecutors General under the auspice of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is scheduled in Kyrgyzstan in 2019.

Photo: genproc.gov.ru