Constitutional Court chairman defends Belarusian language

Ryhor Vasilevich, the chairman of the Belarusian Constitutional Court, has made a statement in defense of the Belarusian language.

He has expressed backing to the initiative spearheaded by several Belarusian pro-democracy activists who fight for the right to fill in official documents at any of the two official languages.

Under the Belarus Constitution, there are two official languages -- Belarusian and Russian -- in this country.

"Nobody has abolished the responsibility for disrespect to a state language," Vasilevich said. He noted that the Constitutional Court had received numerous complaints that courts would reject statements written in the Belarusian language, reports Belapan news agency.

Vasilevich called on judges to use the Belarusian language if requested by parties in court.