Barys Khamaida: We need to unite around a national idea and fight for human rights

The Belarusians want new power.

On December 10, the international community celebrates the 71st anniversary of adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights have not yet become a universal value in Belarus. The oldest Vitsebsk oppositionist Barys Khamaida is talking about what Belarusians should do in today's situation in his commentary to Vitsebsk Viasna.

He considers the right to life, the right to participate in public and political organizations, the right to freedom of speech and the right to hold mass events to be fundamental human rights. He believes that after the unconstitutional coup in 1996, the citizens of Belarus, in fact, have no rights left.

"There are responsibilities - but no rights. I haven't applied to these authorities for many years, as they are illegitimate. We can't talk about human rights now. If the legitimate Constitution of 1994 is returned, then, I believe, the rights of citizens will be restored," - Barys Khamaida says.

"We have respect for the law and order in our genes. There is a desire to have rights in the genes, but it is a pity that now it is impossible to achieve anything as far as there is no Belarusian national power. And for this power to come, we must unite around the Belarusian national idea, and this idea is as follows: "Belarus is above all!" - he adds.

The UN General Assembly adopted the declaration three years after the Second World War - on December 10, 1948. Over this time, the civilized world has advanced far in this direction. Human rights are not only guaranteed, but also protected by the international community if they are violated. The European Union has a supranational body, the European Court of Human Rights. It is an international judicial body whose decisions are binding on all member States of the Council of Europe.