During her visit to the United States, the Belarusian leader received the NED Democracy Medal for Democracy Service. This award is given for outstanding contributions to the cause of freedom and democracy. Previous recipients include former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, former Polish President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Lech Wałęsa, and the first President of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel.
In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya described what the fight for democracy means for Belarusians in today’s reality:
“The fight for democracy means you have to explain to your kids that their daddy was sentenced to 19 years in prison because he wants a better future for them.
The fight for democracy is when you unexpectedly win an election and find yourself discussing policy with President Biden whilst worrying whether your husband is still alive.
The fight for democracy is when your only son goes to fight in Ukraine, knowing that without Ukraine’s victory, Belarus cannot be free. Your son dies, and you, his mother, join his comrades on the front line.
The fight for democracy is, at 77, you take to the street with the national flag, you provoke the police, get inevitably arrested, sew a new flag overnight, and go out again.
The fight for democracy is whilst protesting Russification, you teach your children to speak Belarusian because it is your culture, your identity, and this is the fuel of your resistance.
The fight for democracy means, as a businessperson, transferring funds to support the oppressed. When your company is shut down, you relocate to another country and continue helping those in need.
The fight for democracy is working as a journalist for Radio Free Europe, like Ihar Losik or Andrei Kuznechyk, broadcasting protests, and telling the truth until one day the KGB knocks on your door”.
