Kochanova: under President’s wise leadership, Belarus is following evolutionary path of improving its judicial system
Comprehensive consideration and balance of state and public interests, rights and freedoms of citizens and, accordingly, social justice that is in much need worldwide form the principle of work of the domestic justice system and also act as the most important component of the Belarusian state ideology – as noted by Natalya Kochanova, the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly, at the opening of an international scientific and practical conference in Minsk devoted to the development of the Belarusian justice
Addressing the conference participants, Ms. Kochanova noted the 100th anniversary of the Supreme Court is celebrated in 2023, which is declared the Year of Peace and Creation in Belarus – and this is symbolic. “This time is marked by the beginning of a new stage in the development of the Belarusian statehood according to the adopted constitutional amendments and the completed transformations in the national judicial system,” she said.
Ms. Kochanova stressed that the relevance of justice issues, their importance for creating a socially just society – where everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection of rights and legitimate interests without any discrimination – is vital, “The independence of the courts, guaranteed by the Basic Law, is an integral indication of a democratic state governed by the rule of law.”
The Chairperson of the Council of the Republic reminded that the history of the national judicial system is inextricably linked with the history of the Belarusian statehood, “The institutions of judicial power have passed a serious test of time. They have accumulated invaluable experience of the Soviet system of law, the school of judicial system and judicial proceedings – multiplying the best practices. The Constitution adopted in Belarus more than a quarter of a century ago has given a powerful impetus to the formation of the judicial system in the country. The strategy approved at the Belarusian People's Congress to build a genuine state for the people completely predetermined the development of the judiciary, and its main directions were formulated at the first and second congresses of judges.”
Ms. Kochanova emphasised the role of the Head of State as well, “Under the wise leadership of our President – who is the architect of the sovereign Republic of Belarus, our highly respected Aleksandr Grigorievich Lukashenko, we have chosen an evolutionary path of development, avoiding shocks and thoughtless copying of foreign experience. We decided that, without breaking the established and well-reputed structure of the judiciary, we will improve it in a calm manner. We have been guided by life and the state’s possibilities at a particular stage of its development. At the same time, we absolutely clearly understand that peace and stability are the key for the people, and our judicial system should work primarily with this in focus.”
