According to human rights activist Leonid Svetik, the only civilized way to resolve the situation in Viciebsk as a result of the proposed construction of St. Sophia Cathedral, a local referendum, which initiate activist suggested that the City Council of Deputies.

In his letter, the sentence "elected representatives" Leonid Svetik notes that the construction of the cathedral in the park of Partisan Glory has caused a negative reaction from a large part of the inhabitants of the city. And expressed confidence that the popular vote will allow to relieve the civil confrontation between opponents and supporters of the construction of the temple.

As the human rights activist, his proposal is entirely based on the current legislation. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and the country's law "On referendum (the referendum)," the Viciebsk city council has all the powers to initiate municipal plebiscite.

Financial support for the referendum, Mr. Svetik proposes to entrust the Viciebsk diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church as the initiator of the construction and the only organization that is interested in the construction and operation of this Orthodox church.

Protests against the construction of Viciebsk residents of St. Sophia Cathedral in the place of the historical buildings of the city have been going on for several weeks. People are worried that the church mega-project, which has been reported to be financed by "Gazprom" Russian corporation, will destroy the authentic urban landscape. Also, the public is outraged that the construction will lead to the cutting of about two hundred trees in the city park, which has a negative impact on the environment.

In response to the collective treatment of citizens, representatives of the Viciebsk City Executive Committee met with the citizens – opponents of St. Sophia Cathedral, and promised to halt construction. At the same time, the Orthodox Church has started to collect signatures for the construction of believers. City Executive Committee sent the church a number of its proposals to change the details of the construction project, but the fundamental decision that the temple will be built precisely in the park of Partisan Glory, against what the protesters and act, still remains in force.

Kastus Dzvinski