A BPF member Kastus Smolikau wrote in an e-mail appeal to the executive committee: offered to the website of the regional executive committee was Belarusian version. Response from the ideological department was short : the site has been and will only be in Russian. Since it is not contrary to the law. A citizens' interests into account not nobody going.

According to Kastus Smolikau, citizens have the right to use the language that is closer to them, and also have the right to this were appropriate conditions:

"The site of Vitebsk regional executive committee - a public Internet resource. It was created so that people could take advantage of certain features, for example, authorities could send an e-mail handling. So why not make the Belarusian version of the site? We have a lot of people who are sufficiently proficient native language and many of those who seek to create around himself Belarusian- environment. So why not help in this? Moreover, the Belarusian and Russian languages are legally in our country equal status. So I think discriminatory approach, which I explained in a letter to Executive Committee."

In this letter, signed by the Deputy Chief of ideological work, culture and youth affairs PV Gnutenko, says: "in accordance with subparagraph 1.3 of paragraph 1 of Presidential Decree of February 1, 2010 № 60 "On measures to improve the national segment of the Internet" sites of state organs and organizations formed on the Russian and (or) Belarusian languages, if necessary - to one or more foreign languages. Thus, the use of the Russian language... does not contradict the law."

Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee has only two versions - Russian and English, and the page in English, not all links are working. Regarding the executive committees of pages in other regions, the Belarusian version has only site of Hrodna Regional Executive Committee.

Viasna Human Rights Center