The legislation on heraldic symbols will be amended. What innovations can we expect?

Today, on September 14, at the expert council of the Council of the Republic, the draft Law of the Republic of Belarus “On changing the laws on official heraldic symbols” was considered.

Justice Minister Yevgeny Kovalenko rapporteured on the issue, noting that heraldic symbols are not just graphic images, but a concentrated expression of our statehood, sovereignty and historical memory:

- In the context of modern challenges, the issues of protection, proper use and popularization of heraldic symbols acquire special political and ideological significance. The current legislation of Belarus in this area is generally formed and works effectively, but practice shows that social relations are changing and the state should not stand aside. Therefore, the relevant bill was prepared.

The basis for its preparation was the question of the use of badges, including the badge of a civil servant - "Dziarzhan service" for illegal purposes by persons who do not have the right to wear them. The minister stressed:

- To solve this problem, the bill introduces a ban on wearing both the breastplate “Dziarzhanaya service” and other breastplates established by the Head of State by persons who are not endowed with such a right and do not belong to the relevant state structures.

As for the heraldic symbols themselves, in addition to the requirements already imposed on these images, there is an additional requirement that they must comply with the traditional values of the Belarusian people and the ideology of the Belarusian state

Coats of arms and flags, which are established for state bodies and other organizations, can be used during public holidays, sports and other mass events, and the image of emblems can be used on forms, advertising and other products.

In addition, the legislation will establish requirements for a more detailed description and depiction of heraldic symbols. Evgeny Kovalenko explained:

- Competent descriptions are needed: they should reveal the meaning of the image, what it consists of, what load its elements carry, and why this image should become a heraldic symbol.

Taking into account the requirements of the Head of State on debureaucratization, certain issues of the Heraldic Council are regulated. The number of documents submitted for consideration of an application for the establishment of a heraldic symbol is reduced, the terms in which these papers are brought to the leadership of the Heraldic Council, sent to members of the Council, and the terms in which the response is given are clearly regulated.

In addition, the law includes a provision that the manufacture and sale of uniforms through the Ministry of Defense and other law enforcement agencies is carried out only at the request of the relevant law enforcement agencies. Two lists will also be transferred to the law: state bodies that have the right to have banners, and state bodies that have the right to wear uniforms by their employees.

- Accordingly, we have a comprehensive law on heraldic symbols, which covers the issues of their establishment, establishes a ban on the illegal wearing of breastplates, improves the work of the Heraldic Council and the passage of heraldic examination. - summed up Evgeny Kovalenko.

As the Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic on Legislation and State Construction Mikhail Rusy noted, the key changes envisaged by the bill were carefully considered by experts, including from the regions:

- In our opinion, the bill is relevant. It establishes clear rules for the establishment and use of heraldic symbols, wearing uniforms.