Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko: No language discrimination in Belarus
MINSK, 4 August (BelTA) – Nobody has the right to tell people what language they should speak in Belarus. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement in an interview with non-state mass media on 4 August, BelTA has learned.
The President stated: “Nobody in our country has the right to tell people what language they should speak. Suggestions can be voiced. But orders are not acceptable. I am never going to do it.”
Alexander Lukashenko stressed it was his principled view. “Language is more than money, clothes, food and so on. Our people have not understood it yet. But if they were plainly ordered to speak a certain language, they would understand that language is the most precious thing. I am never going to put pressure on this sore spot. Every person has the choice of what language they should speak,” the Belarusian leader was convinced.
According to the President, a private opinion poll has been conducted in Belarus. It demonstrated that over 60% of the population consider Belarusian as their native tongue. “The percentage was much lower in the past. If we tried to pressure this issue, force people, or even make mild suggestions from the start, the effect would be at least contrary. At most the situation would resemble Ukraine’s. Language was what set everything in motion over there,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.
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