Is it possible to get an indulgence for impunity for patriotism? Lukashenko answered a sharp question
During a conversation with journalists at the Khatyn State Memorial Complex, Head of State Aleksandr Lukashenko answered the question of whether it is possible in Belarus to get an indulgence for impunity for patriotism, BelTA reports
In his question, ONT journalist Igor Tur recalled the important phrase of the Head of State, said at the beginning of the year that we all need to learn to live by the law. “The law is the same for everyone. For example, if someone says or writes something bad on the Internet about Aleksandr Genrikhovich [Turchin, the Minsk Region Governor], sharply, harshly, rudely, he will be punished and, most likely, it turns out that this person wanted the power to change in 2020. But sometimes something similar can be afforded – and more often in recent time – by those people who were next to us in 2020,” the journalist noted. “If Turchin does something not so quickly, sometimes there is not only discontent, but also insults and threats.”
“It’s easier with Turchin. Only one person can ‘ruin’ Turchin,” the President replied with a sense of humour. “I have seven of them [governors of Belarusian regions and the Mayor of Minsk]. I will never do this. At first, I will figure everything out.”
“I’ll figure it out. I’ll call him and listen to him,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added. “These people have nothing to fear. Just go ahead. I will rather punish them for their inaction, for the fact that they did not protect someone or did not save.”
“Sometimes our people, who are still charged after 2020, in the absence of a common enemy in the form of the white-red-white flag, rush at each other. What to do about this?” Igor Tur continued the conversation. “I would not like to have an indulgence for impunity for patriotism.”
On this occasion, the President mentioned a similar topic: the so-called close associates to the country’s leadership. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that those people who work with him bear special responsibility for their actions. This also applies to journalists of the Presidential pool. “If you did something illegal, and I would forgive you, what would society think? People would think that everything is allowed to the close associates. So, you should know that you will be responsible the most,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
He recalled that alongside the requirements of the law, about which there is a proverb among the people that ‘every law has a loophole’, there is a higher concept of justice. “Justice is the main thing. Everything must be fair,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
According to the Head of State, after the events of 2020, the Belarusian society is going through processes that are akin to the post-revolutionary events of the early 20th century or the civil war, “Then there was a mess, brother killed brother. Here we experienced something similar, only without shooting. We had enough mind and endurance in this regard. We’re having this period now. It will pass, it is already leaving,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “The main thing is that we will have to go through this. This period will pass. This is just a period where someone will blame, offend, insult someone … This is such a period, it is leaving.”
The President believes that in this difficult time, the role of both journalists and labour teams is important so that no mistakes are made in any actions related to punishment or evaluation of actions. “You must also be active. I won’t see everything, the authorities won’t see everything, but you in labour teams must see that people aren’t offended,” the Head of State emphasised. “People shouldn’t be offended, even those who have gone astray.”
“It’s not for nothing that I often underline that we shouldn’t allow a split in our country. During this period, it’s necessary to separate all the scoundrels, these 10 percent,” the Belarusian leader drew attention. “This is where you have to be especially careful. In no case should there be wild radicalism.”
