Opinions & Interviews

At swearing-in of judges, Lukashenko calls justice nation’s guiding principle

MINSK, 6 January (BelTA) – Chairman of the Belarusian People’s Congress and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko urged judges to carry out their duties based on the principle of justice. He made these remarks during a swearing-in ceremony for judges of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, BelTA has learned.

“I swore to myself that I would do everything to ensure justice in society to the best of my ability. Remember, I said (and you, as lawyers, will understand it) that not everything can be written into law. Yet we share one spirit, one foundation, and one guiding principle: justice. And it falls first and foremost to you to uphold it. Be fair to our people and to our nation. I wish you happiness, good health, and a long life. May your work serve the good of our country and our people,” the head of state said.

“In our quiet, stable society (God willing, it remains so), perhaps not everyone fully appreciates the role of all institutions, particularly the Constitutional Court. While people frequently have to deal with the Supreme Court and regular courts in their lives, seeking justice, and rightly so, this isn’t always the case with the Constitutional Court,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the recent events in friendly Venezuela. “This is where the Constitutional Court played its role and made tough decisions [the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, in connection with foreign military aggression and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, decided to temporarily transfer presidential duties to Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez],” he said.

“You see what I have warned you about for a long time, that turbulence we are observing in the world. In this situation, we must act with care, remain calm, and avoid haste. A great deal depends on you, the judges. The heads of our courts, the judges of the Constitutional Court. So much depends on you. Therefore, bear this in mind, value this responsibility, and safeguard the country,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

“We work for the good of our people; we have not lost our traditions. We have not lost what was passed down to us by our ancestors. But life is very diverse, especially during a generational transition,” the president said. “The point is how we will execute the will of our people. They have deserved it. Be very vigilant, careful, and attentive.”

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