Lukashenko: Constitutional Court should not be outside observer of processes taking place in society
The Constitutional Court – as the highest body of constitutional control – should not be an outside observer of the processes taking place in society, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a meeting with judges of the Constitutional Court
At the same time, the Head of State warned that the Constitutional Court should not position itself as something exceptional in our state. The main thing is to protect common interests. In this regard, Aleksandr Lukashenko cited the example of the United States, “You see how such a powerful country, which, in general, would not have to show its agility, protects state interests. They don’t care about the whole world, let alone a single country. America comes first.”
“Probably none of the states has really done [so much], as we do regarding the independence of our courts. But you must not forget that you are part of our state, our state structure, if you like, our management apparatus. In no case should this be forgotten. We must be united more than ever in order to stand up and to preserve our state. I have nothing to explain to you here, you understand everything that is happening as well as I do,” the President reminded.
“The Constitutional Court cannot be isolated. It is necessary to build constructive co-operation with other state agencies. Your role should also be visible in law enforcement,” the President stressed, explaining that, “To date, 175 thousand acts are in force. That’s awful! Some of them are difficult to read and perceive, some are overloaded, certain issues are overregulated, with many norms repeating from one normative legal act to another. Multiple adjustments are being made to the acts.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko drew attention to his constant demand, “If we make any significant adjustments, it is necessary to set out this regulatory legal act anew, taking into account new changes, making it easier to work.”
The Head of State recalled that some time ago the President Administration was instructed to organise a large-scale revision of the legislation, “We need to revise this all, removing all the unnecessary and leaving only what we need. It is necessary to carry out this revision. It will be a revolution both in normative work and in the country. Everything should be clear and accessible. I’m convinced we will reduce half of the acts. This is also the great work of our parliamentarians, both the lower and upper houses of Parliament. There is an instruction on the revision of legislation, and we all will work very seriously in this regard: from ordinary lawyers up to the President. The purpose of such an audit is to reduce the bosy of laws, eliminate contradictions in legal regulation, identify by-laws that do not comply with the Constitution, laws, decrees, etc.”
The Head of State believes that the Constitutional Court is obliged to join this work. Moreover, the experience and knowledge of the judges of the Constitutional Court should be used as much as possible in the educational field.
“I’m a greedy person in this regard and I understand that probably the most advanced lawyers are in the Constitutional Court. I think they are underloaded in the sense that they need to work more broadly with society. This is what the Constitutional Court does not have, especially with our young people in universities. You are excellent lecturers and speakers. You are a storehouse of knowledge both in the field of law and in life. You are adults, so I would really like to see you in student classrooms. Civil servants also need to be taught. Therefore, it is necessary to provide here, e.g., on the premises of the Academy of Public Administration. In general, we need to get up in the vanguard and move forward.”
photos: www.president.gov.by
