Commentary to Decree No. 230 of 20 May 2013

On 20 May President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko signed decree No. 230 on preparing for and celebrating the 70th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazi invaders and the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War.

The decree stipulates the composition of the national organizing committee led by Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich. The organizing committee includes heads and representatives of central state and local government agencies, mass media, the Belarusian Public Association of Veterans, the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, the Voluntary Association for Assistance to Army, Aviation and Fleet (DOSAAF), the Belarusian Union of Officers, the Belarusian Union of Afghanistan War Veterans, and other organizations.

The regulation on the organizing committee has been approved as well as the plan to prepare for and carry out the events to celebrate the two most important anniversaries. The plan includes measures involving the improvement of living standards for veterans, repairs and beautification of military monuments and military graves, the holding of festive events, patriotic education, and awareness-raising efforts.

The decree will allow celebrating the 70th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazi invaders and the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War in a properly organized manner. It will contribute to preserving the memory about the outstanding contribution of the Belarusian nation and the entire Soviet nation to the destruction of Hitler’s Germany and to the patriotic education of citizens.