Lukashenka to Appoint Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs

Aliaksandr Lukashenka has signed a law amending legislation on the activities of the Council of Ministers, changing the status of the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs.

Under the document, overall supervision of the commissioner’s activities will now be transferred to the Presidential Administration. The commissioner will be appointed by the president and will report directly to him.

As Lukashenka’s press service said, the change in status is intended to expand the commissioner’s office’s ability to interact with state bodies. The Presidential Administration will also coordinate the implementation of major interfaith projects and legislative initiatives in this area.

“Relations with foreign religious centres representing the interests of the world’s leading faiths often involve a wide range of issues, including those related to foreign policy and security. The commissioner’s office reporting directly to the head of state will simplify and make cooperation in these areas more effective.”, the press release said.

The authorities expect that the provisions of the document “will generally contribute to the further preservation and maintenance of interfaith and interethnic peace and harmony.”

At the same time, a decree was signed approving the regulations governing the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs and defining the commissioner’s main tasks, functions and powers.