Medico Legal at Belarus
Belarus operates a centralized medico-legal system primarily managed by the State Forensic Examination Committee (SFEC), which oversees forensic medical services, criminalistics, and expert evaluations across various legal contexts.
🏛️ State Forensic Examination Committee (SFEC)
Established on April 22, 2013, the SFEC centralizes forensic activities in BelarusIt consolidated resources from the State Service of Medical Forensic Examinations, expert units of law enforcement bodies, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Armed Forces, and the Ministry of JusticeThe committee aims to implement a unified state policy in forensic activities, provide scientific and methodological support, and enhance the effectiveness of forensic examinations.
⚖️ Forensic and Medical Examinations
The SFEC conducts a wide range of forensic and medical examinations, including
Medical and Criminalistic Examinations:These involve determining and evaluating facts requiring special knowledge in forensic science, utilizing various methods such as physical, technical, chemical, and mathematical techniques.
Autopsies:Performed to determine the cause of death, especially in cases of sudden, unexplained, or violent deaths.
Expert Evaluations: Conducted in criminal, civil, administrative, and economic cases, as well as on probative materials related to crime reports.
🏥 Healthcare and Medical Ethics
Belarusian law guarantees several rights to patients, including free medical care in state healthcare institutions, voluntary consent to medical interventions, and the ability to choose attending physicians and healthcare institution. The legal framework also ensures that patients receive explanations in understandable terms about their health status and treatment method. In the realm of medical ethics, Belarus has collaborated with the Council of Europe to present and launch the HELP course on Bioethic. This course was introduced in Minsk at an international conference organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Belarus and the Belarusian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Educatio.
⚖️ Legal Framework on Abortion
Abortion has been legal in Belarus since 195. Under the current legislation, abortion is permitted on request up to 12 weeks of pregnanc. Beyond 12 weeks, abortion is allowed under specific circumstances, including medical indications, rape, incest, and certain social reason. The law provides for counseling and requires informed consent for the procedur.
🚨 Challenges and Human Rights Concern
Despite a shortage of medical professionals, Belarus has seen significant repression of healthcare workers since 2000. At least 35 medical professionals have been convicted in criminal political cases, with 15 currently imprisond. Many others have faced detentions, administrative trials, and dismissal from their positions due to perceived political beliefs or actios. This situation has led to a significant exodus of healthcare workers from the county.
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