The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus

The current Constitution is the 5th Constitution in the Belarusian history.The new Constitutionis the fundamental Law of the state, which pronounced the Republic of Belarus a new democratic state in Eastern Europe. The constitution was established in 1994 and amended in 1996 and 2004.

The Constitution of Belarus centres around three key elements:

Ø establishment of a new state mechanism;

Ø creation of new laws and a new justice system;

Ø guarantee of rights and freedoms.

The text of the Constitution consists of Preamble, 9 Sections and 146 Articles.

In Section II “Individual, Society and the State” the rights and freedoms of the people of Belarus

are guaranteed:

· the right to life (Article 24);

· the rights of children and duties of parents (Article 32);

· the right to education (Article 49);

· the right to work and safe working conditions (Article 41);

· the right to health treatment (Article 45);

· the right to social security in old age (Article 47);

· the right to free expression of thoughts and beliefs (Article 33);

· the right to peaceful meetings (Article 35).

In section III “Electoral System. Referendum” includes:

· the right to vote (Article 64);

· the right to free, direct elections by secret ballot (Article 68).

Ask and answer questions about:

1. the date the modern Constitutionof the Republic of Belarus was established;

2. the key elements of the Constitution;

3. the Section, where the rights of the people of Belarus are guaranteed by the Constitution;

4. the Article, in which the right to education is guaranteed;

5. the Article, in which the right to free expression of thoughts and beliefs is guaranteed;

6. the Section, where the right to vote is guaranteed;

7. the Article, in which the right to secret ballot of state officials is guaranteed.

WRITING PRACTICE

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Read and translate the text in writing:

The National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus consists of six full-time commissions:

1. Commission on defence and national safety

2. Commission on foreign affairs

3. Budget and finance commission

4. Economic reforms commission

5. Industrial commission

6. Commission on employment and social security

Make up a dialogue, ask what Commissions deal with:

a. developing heavy and light industries

b. reforming economic development of the country

c. financial issues

d. making treaties with other countries

e. provides people of Belarus with jobs and medical treatment

f. takes care of the national security

 

PRESENTATION

 

Speak on the topic: “Legislative Power in the Republic of Belarus”.

TEXT 2. PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

VOCABULARY PRACTICE

 

1. Master the active vocabulary:

guarantee –обеспечить, гарантировать

sovereignty – суверенитет

security – безопасность

negotiations – переговоры

treaty – договор

recall – отзывать

declare –объявить

dismiss – сместить с поста

dissolve – распустить

ambassador –посол

2. Match the Russian and the English parts:

1. Главнокомандующий Вооружёнными Силами 2. честь и достоинство 3. общенациональный референдум 4. расширенные полномочия 5. территориальная целостность 6. гражданские права

a. civil rights b. territorial integrity c. expanded powers d. nation-wide referendum e. honor and dignity f. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

READING PRACTICE

Read the text, pay attention to the active vocabulary:

Belarus is a presidential republic. According to the Constitution, the main responsibilities of the President are to guarantee:

Ø sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus, its national security and territorial integrity;

Ø political and economic stability in the country;

Ø respect of civil rights and liberties of the people of Belarus.

The President has wide legislative, executive and judicial powers.

In Foreign Affairs the President:

· represents the State in relations with foreign countries and international organizations;

· conducts negotiations and signs international treaties with foreign governments;

· appoints and recalls diplomatic representatives of the Republic in foreign countries.

In Home Affairs the president has the right:

· to declare referendums;

· to nominate and dismiss high-rank officials;

· to dissolve Parliament Chambers;

· to reorganize the President’s Administration, etc.

The President is the Head of State, the Head of the Security Council and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

The first President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko was originally elected in 1994. Under the Constitution, the President is elected by the people of Belarus on the basis of universal ballot for a term of 5 years.

National referendum in 1996 gave the President expanded powers. After nation-wide referendum in 2004, the number of Presidential terms is not limited. The President has immunity - his honor and dignity are protected by the law.

Article 96 of the Constirution says: “ Any citizen of the Republic of Belarus at least 35 years of age who has the right to vote and has been resident in the Republic of Belarus for at least ten years may be elected President”.

 

COMPREHENTION PRACTICE

1. Answer the questions:

1. What are the main functions of the President of Belarus?

2. What are the legislative, executive and judicial powers of the President in Foreign Affairs?

3. What rights are given to the President in Home Affairs?

4. What are the state posts of the President of Belarus?

5. When was the first President of the Republic of Belarus originally elected?

6. How and for how long is the President elected?

7. How many terms may the President of Belarus stay the Head of the state?

8. What does it mean that the President has immunity?

9. Who can be elected as the President of Belarus?

2. Give the English equivalents:

суверенное государство, закон, законопроект, президентская республика,

Главнокомандующий Вооружёнными силами, Совет Безопасности, Национальная Ассамблея, ветви власти, исполнительная власть, законодательная власть, верхняя палата, нижняя палата, территориальное представительство, высокопоставленные должностные лица, посол, всеобщее тайное голосование, иметь обязательную силу.

3. Complete the sentences to make a short review of the topic:

1. Belarus is a …

2. According to the Constitution, the main responsibilities of the President are to guarantee …

3. In Foreign Affairs the President …

4. In Home Affairs the president has the right …

5. The President is …

6. The first President of the Republic of Belarus was originally elected in …

7. Under the Constitution, the President is elected by … on the basis of … for a term of...

8. National referendum in 1996 gave the President …

9. After nation-wide referendum in 2004, the number of Presidential terms …

10. The President has immunity …

PRESENTATION

 

Speak on the topic: “Presidency of the Republic of Belarus”.