This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Republic of Belarus (Respublika Belarus), based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under Belarus’ Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status.
Country Background
Belarus is located in Eastern Europe. It is bounded by Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. The capital of Belarus is Minsk. The official languages are Russian and Belarusian. The country’s population in 2016 was approximately 9.5 million. About 48% of the population is Orthodox, while 41% is non-religious. Belarus requested observer status in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in 2010.
Constitution & Legal Structure
Belarus is referred to as a presidential republic. It is a civil law system and most of the major codes (civil, civil procedure, criminal, criminal procedure, family, and labor) have been revised and reenacted to come in force since 1999. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Constitutional Status of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no constitutional status in Belarus.
Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Belarus.
Dominant School of Islamic Law
Belarus has no official school of Islamic law.
Sources of Law for Legal Research
Official Publications
Unofficial Databases
References:
For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].