December 10 marks 65 years since the adoption of the UN General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This date gives the occasion to talk about the state of human rights in Belarus. For this "Dialogue" met with human rights activist Leonid Svetsik Vitebsk.

Mr. Leonid, tell us about the human rights situation in our country.

It should be noted that human rights are one of the global ideas of modernity. For while there is a man, he was - from birth to death - will belong to the civil, political , socio-economic and cultural rights. Recognition of these rights is the result of the development of human civilization. In other words, how the state recognizes human rights and creates the conditions for their implementation, so it is civilized. In this sense, the current Belarusian government can not be considered civilized.

And what is wrong with human rights in Belarus?

First of all, I want to express concern that we have not secured the independence of the judiciary from the executive, and the fact that national courts do not apply the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Belarus does not have an ombudsman institution, there are various forms of discrimination.

The country has not established a system to ensure access to employment of persons with disabilities in society, there are elements of gender inequality. Labor relations are burdened universal compulsory contractual form of employment. Legislatively approved forced labor of prisoners , as well as people suffering from alcohol, drug addicts, who are in LTP.

Must be said about the lack of access of disadvantaged groups to social housing, the rise in HIV/AIDS, the trend of increasing alcohol and tobacco dependence of the population and the increasing incidence of tuberculosis.

Would like to mention limiting the use of the Belarusian language in the education system and cultural life of the country. People promoting Belarusian language, applying it directly in the organization of cultural events, experiencing various kinds of oppression.

These are disorders that affect the socio-economic and cultural rights of citizens of Belarus.

As for the state of civil and political rights, it can safely be called catastrophic.

Throughout the state prohibited the holding of mass events and other public events. The right to peaceful assembly is limited by the failure of state institutions to provide citizens and organizations premises.

Authorities, in fact, taken away from the citizens the right to association, creating a complex and expensive, not affordable for many, the mechanism of registration of public organizations and parties.

Freedom of expression and freedom of speech are limited to a state monopoly of the means of mass communication.

Also not possible to realize the right to elect and be elected to representative bodies - because of the manipulation of ballots perpetrated election commissions, which are formed and controlled by the state.

So what should be done to the state changed its attitude to human rights?

In my opinion, the country's leaders need to understand that human rights beneficial to the state and society. If this understanding comes, Belarus will be in line with the civilized nations of the world. This will help her to become a respected, open country with a developed social and political system.

Recognition of human rights a priority of the state will boost social and economic relations. In fact the same investments that are necessary to modernize the country's economy will come to Belarus when the state, among others, will begin to respect human rights and to promote their implementation.

What is the role of human rights defenders in today's society?

Belarusian human rights community, in spite of any obstacles on the part of the state tends to strengthen and develop. Dozens of non-governmental organizations and hundreds of human rights activists to help Belarusian citizens to defend their rights.

Human rights activists are out to make our country a legal and democratic state. To achieve this lofty goal they sacrificed their health, freedom, personal career and welfare of family members. Human rights activists bravely endure all the hardships of public duty that they voluntarily put themselves.

Unfortunately, their sacrificial work for the benefit of society and the state is still not truly appreciated. But I am sure that one day human rights will be recognized by the Belarusian society and the state heroes of their time.

dyjalog.info