As Svaboda learned, Belarusian guides began to be stripped of their badges confirming their certification and permission to conduct excursions.

On March 2, professional guides had another certification, where they came to approve new topics for excursions.

As a result, some of them were simply told by the attestation commission: "You are deprived of a badge."

Others were sent letters by e-mail and paper notices.

Among those deprived of badges are those who have had administrative arrests.

Sources familiar with the matter informed Svaboda that tour guide certificates were revoked according to the "Regulation on Certification".

SEE ALSO: Art critic and tour guide Nikita Monich left Belarus

Among the possible reasons for the deprivation of a badge are convictions under certain articles of the Criminal Code, as well as administrative offenses.

SEE ALSO: 18 people were fired from the National Art Museum after publication in the pro-government Telegram channel

Guides convicted under the "people's article" will not be able to work

In Belarus, from this year, people with convictions under "protest" and "political" articles will not be allowed to take the attestation confirming the qualification of tour guides and guides-interpreters.

Government Resolution No. 839 of December 7, 2022, which defines these changes, was published on the National Legal Internet Portal.

The resolution entered into force on January 1, 2023.

From now on, people with convictions under articles of the Criminal Code are not allowed to obtain a certificate that allows them to work as a tour guide or guide-interpreter:

• 123 (Propaganda of War);

• 130 (Inciting racial, national, religious or other social enmity);

• 293 (Mass disturbances);

• 341-1 (Propaganda or public display, manufacture, distribution of Nazi symbols or paraphernalia);

• 342 (Organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them);

• 357 (Conspiracy or other actions committed with the aim of usurping state power);

• 361 (Calls for restrictive measures (sanctions), other actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus);

• 367 (Defamation against the President of the Republic of Belarus);

• 368 (Insult of the President of the Republic of Belarus);

• 369 (Contempt of a representative of the authorities);

• 369-1 (Discrediting the Republic of Belarus);

• 369-3 (Public calls to organize or hold illegal meetings, rallies, street marches, demonstrations or picketing or involving persons in such mass events);

• 370 (Derision of state symbols).

was tried for participation in protests in Minsk .

As a result of it

punished with "home chemistry" for 2.5 years.

Another tour guide

, researcher of Belarusian Gulag prisoners Chernamortseva was sentenced to 2.5 years of "home chemistry"

SEE ALSO: Minsk tour guide Igor Khmara was sentenced to "home chemistry"

In addition, there is a whole list of articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses, for which a conviction will also prevent you from working as a tour guide or guide-interpreter:

• 19.08 (Distribution of works that promote the cult of violence and cruelty);

• 19.10 (Propaganda or public demonstration, production, distribution of Nazi symbols or paraphernalia);

• 19.11 (Distribution, production, storage, transportation of information products containing calls to extremist activities or promoting such activities);

• 24.22 (Distribution of pre-arranged false information by mass media that disgraces the honor and dignity of the President of the Republic of Belarus);

• 24.23 (Violation of the order of organizing or holding mass events).

In all these cases, previously issued certificates of attestation will be annulled.

SEE ALSO: Chronicle of persecution on October 18: a lawyer was detained in Hrodna;

new facts of persecution of tour guides

Resolution No. 582 "On Excursion Services" on certification of tour guides and guides-interpreters was adopted in September 2022.

According to it, an attestation commission will be created in each case to organize and conduct attestation, suspend the term of validity of the certificate or cancel the certificate.

In order to pass the certification, one must permanently reside in Belarus, have a complete higher education, secondary special education or incomplete higher education (at least three undergraduate courses).

Certification takes the form of an exam and consists of two parts: a computer test and an oral interview.

SEE ALSO: Belarusian Council of Culture: tour guides are fired at the Bogdanovich Museum