On political rights and freedoms of citizens of the Republic of Belarus

The article attempts to find opportunities for public expression of their opinions and participation in public and political life, even in conditions of severe restrictions on the political rights of citizens. To this end, the law enforcement practice of bringing citizens to administrative and criminal responsibility only for the fact that they want to participate in the political life of their country, for its compliance with the Basic Law of the Republic of Belarus and international standards, is analyzed. In the same context, an overview of the changes in the regulatory legal framework aimed at suppressing the political activity of citizens and rejecting them from participating in the adoption of important state decisions that have occurred recently is made. The reasons that led to the deplorable human rights situation in which the citizens of the Republic of Belarus now find themselves have been identified.

But even in the conditions of the autocratic regimes of the “old Soviet school”, which use the same outdated violent methods of holding power as their outdated worldview, caring citizens can apply forms of manifestation of public and political activity, showing flexibility of thinking and using safer ways of realizing their political rights For example, the right to express one's opinion and dissatisfaction can be exercised in the form of addressing officials or submitting petitions.

As a recommendation for those Belarusians who have not come to terms with the fact that their rights are being violated, the personal experience of the author of the publication regarding the ways of fighting for their protection is given. She has prepared many appeals to government officials expressing her dissatisfaction with their violation. She appealed to the court against the response to the permission to hold an anti-war picket, and is now preparing for the process of declaring unconstitutional a law that violates the constitutional rights of citizens to express their opinions and to peaceful assemblies. For your rights, as well as for freedom, you need to fight – this is the main conclusion of the article.