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The Lower Chamber of Parliament passed the first reading on amendments to the Law “On legal status of foreigners and stateless persons in Belarus” on 7 April 2004. The amendments stipulate visa denial, introduction of migration cards at the border, deportation for minor administrative offences, expulsion for incorrect border crossing, an appeal procedure against authorities’ decisions, and creation of a foreigners’ registration database.
The introduction of migration cards will, inter alia, represent a preliminary stage before abolishing the current foreigners’ registration practice in police departments and hotels. The new law, if adopted, aims at more stringent control over foreigners, including border control and in-country supervision. This, however, may require additional training for the law-enforcement staff on how to deal with persons in need of protection like refugees and asylum seekers. | 
