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Belarus

Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 455-Z "On Information

Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 455-Z "On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information"

RTI Rating: 38 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
30 days
Extension
15 days
Residency Required
None

Requests are to be processed within one month (30 days) of receipt. Requests requiring no additional investigation must be processed within 15 days. An additional 15-day extension is permitted with written notification to the requester explaining the delay. Deadlines appear to be calendar days based on the statute language.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • {'notes': 'Written requests must include name and address of information owner, requester details, document title or description, and signature', 'method': 'written'}
  • {'notes': 'Verbal inquiries are accepted with registration required', 'method': 'oral'}
  • {'notes': 'Electronic messages transmitted through informational networks, including Internet', 'method': 'electronic'}

Requests may be submitted orally (with registration), in writing, or electronically. Written and electronic requests must include: name and residence address of information owner, requester details (name, address), document title or description of requested information, and individual signature (for written requests).

Required Elements

  • Name and address of information owner (public body)
  • Requester name and address
  • Document title or description of requested information
  • Individual signature (for written requests)

Fees

Article 17(2) establishes a no-fee default: state bodies 'take no charges for providing information, should other not be specified by legislative acts.' No specific fee amounts are stated in the law itself, though other legislation may establish exceptions.

Exemptions

  • Personal Data and Private Life
    Information related to private life and personal data (Article 21(1))
  • State Secrets
    Information classified as state secrets (Article 21(1))
  • Trade and Professional Secrets
    Information classified as trade or professional secrets (Article 21(1))
  • Official Service Information
    Official service information with limited distribution (Article 21(1))
  • Criminal and Court Materials
    Materials of criminal proceedings and court cases until case dismissal (Article 21(1))
  • Organizational and Technical Information
    Organizational and technical information (Article 21(1))
  • Prohibited Content
    Content promoting unconstitutional change, war, violence, racial/national/religious hostility, dignity violations, or unlawful actions (Article 22)
  • Outside Competency
    Information outside the competency of the requested body (Article 28(4))
  • National Security Harm
    Information whose disclosure could harm national security (Article 28(4))

Article 21 establishes categories of 'information of limited access' that are largely discretionary. Article 21(4) creates mandatory disclosure requirements for information about citizens' rights, emergency situations, environmental/health data, legal status of state bodies (except state secrets), crime prevention, and public library/archive materials. No explicit public interest override test is provided in the law. Belarus scored 38 out of 150 points in the RTI Rating, indicating significant restrictions on access.

Appeal Process

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Belarus provides dual appeal routes (administrative and judicial) without mandatory exhaustion requirements. However, the law does not specify appeal deadlines or procedural details. RTI Rating scored Belarus 38/150 points overall, reflecting significant weaknesses in the legal framework despite formal appeal rights.

Sources & References