Ministry of Internal Affairs (Belarus)

Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus
Міністэрства ўнутраных спраў Рэспублікі Беларусь
Emblem of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
Interior Ministry overview
Formed February 22, 1991
Preceding Interior Ministry
  • Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Belarusian SSR
Jurisdiction Belarus
Headquarters Minsk, Belarus
Minister responsible
  • Igor Shunevich, Minister of Internal Affairs
Parent department Government of Belarus
Website mvd.gov.by

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus (Belarusian: Міністэрства ўнутраных спраў Рэспублікі Беларусь) is a body of the Belarusian Government that is charged with the internal affairs of Belarus. Day to day law enforcement is carried out by the Militsiya. The Ministry is also tasked with providing security to state buildings and officials. Organizations such as the Presidential Guard are under the control of the Ministry. The clearing of landmines is among the tasks of the ministry.

Role in political repressions

According to human rights groups, the United States, and the European Union, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its senior leadership play a key role in human rights violations and political repressions in Belarus.

A number of former Ministers and senior officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including commanders and officers of the police (Militsiya) and of special police units operated by the Ministry (OMON, SOBR) have been included in the sanctions lists of the European Union and the United States.[1]

Several former officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are being accused of involvement in unresolved disappearances and allegedly murder of opposition leaders Yuri Zakharenko (also former Minister of Internal Affairs himself) and Viktor Gonchar, opposition sponsor Anatoly Krasovski, and journalist Dmitri Zavadski in 1999-2000.

Sanctioned officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus

Name Position Accusations Remarks
Sivakov, Yury Leonidovich Former Minister of Internal Affairs and former Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Remained on the sanctions list of the EU after 2016.

Is sanctioned by the United States.[2]
Kuleshov, Anatoli Nilovich Former Minister of Internal Affairs Commanded the troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs that brutally dispersed the protests following the presidential elections of 2010 and "showed some pride for this responsibility"[3]
Naumov, Vladimir Vladimirovich Former Minister of Interior and also former Head of the President's Security Service. Failed to take action to investigate the case of the unresolved disappearances of Yuri Zakharenko, Viktor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovski and Dmitri Zavadski in Belarus in 1999-2000 First included in EU sanctions list after the controversial presidential election of 2006.[4] Remains on the sanctions list of the EU after 2016. Is sanctioned by the United States.[5]
Podobed, Yuri Nikolaevich Former Head of the Unit for Special Purposes at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, later Head of the security service of the holding company Triple of businessman Yuri Chizh Commanded internal anti-riot troops during the violent repression of peaceful protests, including those in 2004 and 2008[3] First included in EU sanctions list after the controversial presidential election of 2006.[4] Is sanctioned by the United States.[6]
Pavlichenko, Dmitry Valerievich Former Head of the Special Response Group at the Ministry of Interior (SOBR) Key person in the unresolved disappearances of opposition leaders Yuri Zakharenko, Viktor Gonchar, opposition sponsor Anatoly Krasovski, and journalist Dmitri Zavadski in Belarus in 1999-2000[3] First included in EU sanctions list after the controversial presidential election of 2006.[4] Remains on EU sanctions list after 2016. Is also sanctioned by the United States.[7]
Farmagey, Leonid Konstantinovich Deputy Head of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Before June 2011 – Police Commander of the City of Minsk Commanded the Minsk police forces that brutally repressed the protests of 19 December 2010.
Gaidukevich, Valeri Vladimirovich Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. Commander of internal troops, and Member of Parliament in the Lower Chamber As a commander of internal troops, he was responsible for the violent repression of the demonstration on 19 December 2010 in Minsk, where his troops were the first to be actively involved.
Gureev, Sergei Viktorovich, Former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Head of Preliminary Investigation Has been actively involved in the repression of civil society in Belarus. As a former Deputy Minister of Interior and Head of Preliminary Investigation, he was responsible for the violent suppression of protests and violations of human rights during investigation proceedings in relation to the December 2010 election. Joined the reserve forces in February 2012[3]
Ivanov, Sergey Deputy Head of Supply Division of the Ideological and Personnel Directorate of the Minsk Municipal Department of Internal Affairs Actively participated in the crackdown of the 19 December 2010 protests. For this, he received an award and an acknowledgement letter from President Alexander Lukashenko in February 2011[3]
Lukomski, Aleksandr Valentinovich Commander of the Special Regiment of the Ministry of Interior of the City of Minsk His troops repressed the protests on 19 December 2010 and in June 2011. For his actions in December 2010, he was awarded by President Lukashenko in February 2011.
Pekarski, Oleg Anatolievich Former first Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Responsible for the repression of civil society after the December 2010 presidential elections
Poluden, Yevgeni Yevgenyevich Former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Head of the Militsiya (police) Under his command, police forces brutally repressed the peaceful demonstrations on 19 December 2010
Barsukov, Aleksandr Petrovich Colonel, Chief of Minsk police. Appointed as Chief of Minsk police on 21 October 2011 and was responsible in this role for the repression of approximately a dozen peaceful protesters in Minsk, who were later convicted for breaking the law on mass events. For several years he commanded police action against street protests of the opposition
Atabekov, Khazalbek Bakhtibekovich Colonel, commander of a special brigade of Interior Troops stationed in the Uruchcha suburb of Minsk His unit participated in the crackdown of the mass protests on 19 December 2010. Atabekov's actions constituted a direct violation of Belarus' international obligations in the area of human rights[3]
Yevseyev, Igor Vladimirovich Head of the regional Vitebsk police; former Deputy Head of Minsk Police and Head of the Minsk anti-riot (OMON) operation team His unit participated in the crackdown of the mass protests on 19 December 2010, he personally took part in the brutality and received an award and an acknowledgement letter from President Lukashenko. In 2011, he also commanded the troops that repressed several other protests by political activists and citizens in Minsk

Interior Ministers

  • Uladzimir Yahorau (1990-1994)
  • Yury Zakharanka (1994-1995)
  • Valyantsin Ahalets (1995-1999)
  • Yury Sivakou (1999-2000)
  • Uladzimir Navumau (2000-2009)
  • Anatol Kulyashou (2009-2012)
  • Ihar Shunevich (from 2012)

See also

Government of Belarus

References

  1. ↑ Поўны спіс 208 беларускіх чыноўнікаў, якім забаронены ўезд у ЕС - Nasha Niva, 11.10.2011
  2. ↑ , US Department of the Treasury official website - Yury SIVAKOV
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP of 15 October 2012 concerning restrictive measures against Belarus
  4. 1 2 3 "L_2006134EN.01000101.xml". eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  5. ↑ , US Department of the Treasury official website - Uladzimir NAUMAU
  6. ↑ , US Department of the Treasury official website - Yury PODOBED
  7. ↑ , US Department of the Treasury official website - Dzmitry PAULICHENKA
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