Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Life is any person’s primary and absolute value. Life is something to be cherished every day, something to be protected. However, Belarus remains the only country in Europe to still have the death penalty. This, in itself, is a relic of the past that denies the dignity of the human being.
The death penalty legitimizes violence. It is a path to unchecked cruelty. No one deserves to be deprived of life while kneeling. No one deserves not to know the day of their execution. No family should be denied information about the place and time of their loved one’s death. No person’s life should be taken by the state. Because when the state decides who is worthy of life and who is not, it is as if it is asserting: With just our will, we can take not only your property and freedom but also the most valuable thing you have.
Human dignity, justice, and respect for everyones are the principles on which our society must be built. And I am certain – there must be no death penalty in a country that values its citizens and their worth”.
