MINSK, 18 March (BelTA) – Rector of the Belarusian State Academy of Music Yekaterina Dulova, who is a member of the Constitutional Commission, told BelTA about the key areas the commission will discuss and what answers they are supposed to provide.
The official noted she was honored to participate in the work on the project. “It is important for me because I understand that the Constitution shapes my professional life. I need to understand how the corpus of laws for my peaceful life will be formed,” she said. “The Constitutional Commission has been set up taking into account the experience and competences of its members in order to produce as correct, precise, and competent document as possible. The document will become the foundation of life of every citizen of the Republic of Belarus and needs to incorporate the experience of many years.”
Yekaterina Dulova specified that during the first session of the Constitutional Commission involving the head of state the attention of members of the commission was drawn to the vital suggested adjustments that they and the general public will have to discuss. The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus was put together taking into account circumstances and challenges of the time. “But the speakers were asked a reasonable question: are we talking about a new Constitution or about developing the powerful potential of the current Constitution, the potential we should rely on and should submit proposals for the sake of updating it and improving it?” the official said.
A number of key things were voiced during the 6th Belarusian People's Congress. The constitutional status of the Belarusian People's Congress was mentioned by many speakers. It was probably the largest block of the discussion. “We were invited to think about the constitutional status of the Belarusian People's Congress and its role in the government system as a body that consolidates the society. Since we use materials of the Belarusian People's Congress, it is totally logical,” Yekaterina Dulova stressed.
The other major matters the Constitutional Commission will look into include the consolidating or stabilizing function of some government body (whether Belarus will remain a presidential republic, what authority the parliament will wield, how many chambers it will have), the election system (whether it needs adjustments, whether it is necessary to transition to a majority voting system or a mixed system), the development of the political party system, the introduction of the single ballot day, the length of the presidential term, and the redistribution of powers. “It is a matter for a serious discussion. Is there some imbalance or slant? Do we need to redistribute powers and how?” the official explained.
“The possibility of allowing citizens to file individual constitutional petitions was also mentioned. As a sixth-convocation senator I've seen requests for such petitions. Now we are encouraged to think about individual petitions,” Yekaterina Dulova added.
She was particularly interested in the matter of patriotic education. “It is important to somehow incorporate it into the Constitution, which will later demand fulfillment,” Yekaterina Dulova believes. “Young Belarusians are guaranteed the right to spiritual, moral, and physical development. But if we talk about obligations, then the key values that have been unearthed in the last half a year need better protection. If one understands what patriotism is, then one is a citizen, one has a balanced approach to life and will not allow his or her country and the principles it relies on to be destroyed,” the official stressed.
Another matter has been prompted by the information environment and developing technologies. “Many were not ready for it, for such a strong assault. Suggestions were made to think about it,” she added.
Proposals were made to expand some social rights. Due to her professional interests Yekaterina Dulova intends to focus on culture and the protection of historical and cultural values, including the anthem, the flag, and the state emblem.
