Members of Salihorsk branch of Belarusian Language Society demand real equality of languages
Participants of the solemn assembly of the Salihorsk city organization of the Belarusian Language Society named after Francysk Skaryna" adopted an appeal to the head of the House of Representatives and the Prime Minister with the requirement of real linguistic equality in the country.
The meeting on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Salihorsk BLS branch took place in the evening of May 11 May at the local builder's club. Participants of the meeting reminded about the history of the emergence of the local branch of the Belarusian Language Society and its long struggle for the linguistic rights. Despite the solemnity of the moment, a significant part of the event was devoted to discussion of the problems of adverse discrimination of the Belarusian language in the region and the country.
At the end of the meeting its participants appealed to the heads of the legislative and executive branches of government with the following appeal:
"In the state there is a negative attitude towards the development of the Belarusian language. There is no balance between the two official languages, as well as monitoring of compliance with Article 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus. The Russian language dominates in the country.
There are no Belarusian language schools and kindergartens in Belarusian cities. The same is observed in rural education.
In almost all areas of public life, Article 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and the Law “On Languages” is not implemented or implemented with violations by the leadership of the executive committees, enterprises, organizations and institutions, which is a violation of the right of citizens to use their native language."
Therefore, participants of the meeting demand to give theArticle 17 of the Constitution not only declaratory status, but to bring practice in line with the spirit and the real meaning of the basic law of the country.
