• The Commissioner is not “just another department” but an independent defender of people against abuse of power. They act according to the law and the Constitution, not instructions from above, and any interference in their work is prohibited and punishable by law. This is fundamentally different from a normal government structure that answers to superiors.

• The Commissioner has special tools: they receive complaints free of charge, can request documents from any authority, and, if necessary, enforce compliance through the courts. They have the right to enter prisons and other closed institutions without prior notice to check if people’s rights are being violated.

• If a law or government decision harms people, the Commissioner can go to court, even the Constitutional Court, and in cases of mass violations, initiate parliamentary hearings. This makes them a real safeguard of the system, not someone pleading with officials.

• Finally, the Commissioner works openly: they prepare a public annual report for the Parliament, have an independent office and budget — another shield against pressure. All of this distinguishes them from ordinary government organizations.

• Seven years ensures independence. The Commissioner’s term is longer than that of members of Parliament (four years), so election winners cannot immediately replace them after a change in the parliamentary majority. The Commissioner serves once, without reappointment, and can focus on protecting people’s rights rather than pleasing anyone for reappointment.

• This term aligns with international recommendations for ombudsmen: it should be long enough to ensure stability, but limited in time. Seven years strikes a balance, providing independence without turning the position into a lifetime role.

• The first Commissioner must be a Belarusian with an impeccable reputation in human rights protection. According to the draft, the candidate must be a citizen of Belarus with higher education, recognized experience in human rights, high moral qualities, and at least seven years of professional experience — whether in advocacy, law, research, or international work.

• The Sojm selects the Commissioner through an open competition for a seven-year term, without reappointment. Political activity is prohibited during the mandate to ensure that an independent professional, not a “political appointee”, holds the office.

• In general, anonymous complaints are not accepted. The draft specifies that submissions without identifying information are not reviewed, except in rare cases where the Commissioner deems immediate intervention necessary to protect people.

• At the same time, your personal information is protected. The law mandates confidentiality, prohibits any retaliation for complaints, and allows actions to avoid harming the complainant. In other words, you provide information about yourself, but the Commissioner keeps it secret and implements protective measures.

• The law and special guarantees of independence protect the Commissioner. Interference or obstruction is prohibited and carries legal consequences.

• The Commissioner has immunity: they cannot be detained, arrested, searched, or deprived of liberty without the Sojm’s consent. Criminal cases can only be initiated by the Prosecutor General and also with Sojm's approval. This immunity extends to official statements, even after the term ends, protecting against “telephone pressure” or retaliation for inconvenient decisions.

• Moreover, the Commissioner independently sets priorities and working methods; their actions require no external approval. They are accountable only to the law and society, not to officials who may be subject to inspection.

• Yes. Their tools are legal and actionable, not “letters to nowhere”. They can demand documents and explanations from any authority, visit prisons and closed institutions without notice, and conduct on-site inspections. If rights are violated, they go to court or the Constitutional Court, and in cases of mass violations, they initiate parliamentary hearings. Authorities must respond to the public report, raising issues to the parliamentary level and prompting the system to act. This gives the Commissioner a real lever to change practice, not just to request it.

• Culture also matters. Authorities will need to learn to systematically respect human rights, and citizens to assert their rights calmly and consistently. This is also the Commissioner’s responsibility: promoting human rights in society, conducting educational work, explaining how it works, and helping people exercise their rights. Change does not happen overnight, but the establishment of an independent institution accelerates the process and sets new standards of behavior for everyone.

• An organic law is a law that translates constitutional norms into clear, everyday rules. The Constitution sets the framework, and the organic law gives it concrete content.

• The Draft Constitution specifies that the Sojm adopts three types of laws: constitutional, organic, and ordinary, each with its own threshold for adoption.

• An ordinary law is passed by a simple majority of those participating in the vote, but at least one-third of the constitutional composition of parliament.

• An organic law requires a majority of the full constitutional composition of the Sojm, making it harder to pass but easier to protect from situational changes.

• A constitutional law has the highest barrier: it is approved in the third reading by three-fifths of the constitutional composition, and amendments to the main sections additionally require a referendum.

• Essentially, the deeper a law interferes with the structure of power, the broader the consensus required for its adoption. This ensures the predictability and stability of the rules that affect every Belarusian.

You can discuss the draft and propose amendments on several open platforms:

• on the website https://prastora.info

• in the SVAE mobile app (in the “Belarus Constitution Project” community)

• and on the Try Slany platform http://tryslany.com

On each platform, you can leave a comment on a specific article or provide general feedback — anonymously or under your name. All platforms protect personal data. Proposals collected from these resources are regularly gathered and forwarded to the Working Group for consideration.