Swearing-in of judges for Constitutional Court and Supreme Court

Chairman of the Belarusian People’s Congress and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko presided over the swearing-in of judges for the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court.

“I swore to myself that I would do everything to ensure justice in society to the best of my ability. Remember, I said (and you, as lawyers, will understand it) that not everything can be written into law. Yet we share one spirit, one foundation, and one guiding principle: justice. And it falls first and foremost to you to uphold it. Be fair to our people and to our nation. I wish you happiness, good health, and a long life. May your work serve the good of our country and our people,” the head of state said.

“In our quiet, stable society (God willing, it remains so), perhaps not everyone fully appreciates the role of all institutions, particularly the Constitutional Court. While people frequently have to deal with the Supreme Court and regular courts in their lives, seeking justice, and rightly so, this isn’t always the case with the Constitutional Court,” the President said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the recent events in friendly Venezuela. “This is where the Constitutional Court played its role and made tough decisions [the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, in connection with foreign military aggression and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, decided to temporarily transfer Presidential duties to Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez],” he said.

“You see what I have warned you about for a long time, that turbulence we are observing in the world. In this situation, we must act with care, remain calm, and avoid haste. A great deal depends on you, the judges. The heads of our courts, the judges of the Constitutional Court. So much depends on you. Therefore, bear this in mind, value this responsibility, and safeguard the country,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

“We work for the good of our people; we have not lost our traditions. We have not lost what was passed down to us by our ancestors. But life is very diverse, especially during a generational transition,” the President said. “The point is how we will execute the will of our people. They have deserved it. Be very vigilant, careful, and attentive.”

Among those sworn in was Andrei Shved, the Chairman of the Supreme Court, who was elected to this position in December 2025 at a session of the Belarusian People’s Congress. “Assuming the office of a judge, I solemnly swear before the people of the Republic of Belarus to honestly and conscientiously fulfill my duties, to administer justice, obeying only the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, and to be impartial and fair, as my duty as a judge demands,” he pledged.

Sergei Sivets, elected Chairman of the Constitutional Court, also took the oath, vowing to defend the constitutional order and the supremacy of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus honestly, conscientiously, and impartially.

The newly elected judges of the Constitutional Court Pavel Gridyushko, Aleksandr Karavai, Andrei Kovalchuk, Tatiana Protashchik, and Yelena Semashko took a similar oath.

Following the ceremony, Aleksandr Lukashenko presented the judges with their official certificates and commemorative copies of the Constitution of Belarus.

Aleksandr Lukashenko presented state awards to Valentin Sukalo, Chairman of the Supreme Court (1997–2025), and Piotr Miklashevich, Chairman of the Constitutional Court (2008–2025).

The head of state awarded Valentin Sukalo the Order of the Fatherland, 2nd Class, and Piotr Miklashevich the Order of the Fatherland, 3rd Class. They were honored for their many years of fruitful work, high professionalism, and significant personal contribution to improving the judicial system and strengthening constitutional legality.

Valentin Sukalo dedicated more than 50 years to the justice system, leading the Supreme Court of Belarus for 28 years. Under his leadership, several stages of judicial and legal reform were carried out: general and commercial courts were merged, military courts were abolished, the Economic Court of Appeal was established, and a regulatory framework for court operations was developed. Buildings for many courts were constructed, an automated court system was introduced, access to justice for citizens was simplified, and the authority of the judiciary in society was enhanced.

Piotr Miklashevich headed the Constitutional Court from 2008 to 2025, having previously served as Prosecutor General and First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court. He led the Constitutional Commission for drafting amendments to the Constitution and currently chairs the Council on Legal and Judicial Activities under the Belarusian President. During his tenure as head of the Constitutional Court, the role of the body was elevated, constitutional oversight of legislation was strengthened, procedures for constitutional proceedings were consolidated, and citizens were granted the right to file individual constitutional complaints.