President signed law on fingerprinting

The President of Belarus signed the law "On Amendments to Laws on Issues of State Dactyloscopic Registration," as a result of which legislation in the field of national security has been improved.

According to the new act, dactyloscopic registration becomes mandatory for foreign nationals and stateless persons undergoing border control, as well as for individuals subject to deportation, expulsion, or transfer to a foreign state under an international readmission agreement. The list of those required to undergo the procedure includes persons whose entry into Belarus is prohibited or undesirable, as well as those whom the border service has decided to register in the interests of national security.

Law enforcement agencies, courts, police, border services, and other state bodies are granted the right to obtain and use dactyloscopic information. The law aims to enhance the efficiency and quality of dactyloscopic registration, facilitate timely identification of risks and threats to national security, and ensure their neutralization.

According to official representatives, the new system will allow rapid risk assessment and improve entry control in the interest of national security.

Context

Prior to the adoption of the law, biometric registration was practiced in a limited manner, mainly within criminal cases.