Zhodzina: picket for protection of right to learn in mother-tongue

07.12.2009. Tags: language rights, pickets, human rights defenders.

Zhodzina human rights defenders Aliaksei and Sviatlana Lapitskis applied to the local executive committee for authorization of a picket dated to the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, they have little hope that their action will be permitted.

During their action the Lapitskis intend to inform the citizens about violations of the civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

They also intend to collect signatures in support of Belarusian-language education in Zhodzina. They have spent more than 5.5 years struggling for the right of their son to be educated in Belarusian in a secondary school. However, they still have little success. That’s why they intend to inform the people about national and linguistic discrimination in Zhodzina.

‘The latest term for answering our application is 9 December. I think the answer will be negative, as the authorities haven’t authorized any of other actions yet,’ said Sviatlana Lapitskaya.

The human rights defenders intend to hold their action on 10 December at the entrance of the Culture Park, near the check-point of the BelAZ (Belarusian Car Plant).

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