Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urges all friends of Belarus to stand in solidarity with the Belarusian people on March 25, when Belarusians celebrate Freedom Day. This day marks the 1918 proclamation of Belarus’s independence from Russia. Under 30 years of Lukashenka’s dictatorship, March 25 has become a symbol of resistance against oppression and tyranny.
“We call on friends and partners around the world to show your support for Belarusians who are fighting for freedom, peace, and a European future. Right now, my country is under creeping occupation by Russia, dragged into Putin’s criminal war against Ukraine by the pro-Russian dictator Lukashenka. But Belarus is not Russia – Belarus is Europe. And Belarusians, like any other nation, deserve freedom,” – said Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and President-Elect.
Tsikhanouskaya also calls for solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus. Over 1,230 political prisoners remain behind bars. More than 6,500 people have been convicted for political reasons. Since 2020, over 65,000 Belarusians have been subjected to political arrests. Those imprisoned face inhumane conditions – severely restricted correspondence, lack of medical care, and relentless psychological and physical pressure. Among them are: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, sentenced to 10 years; journalists Ihar Losik and Katsiaryna Andreyeva, jailed for speaking the truth, and Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Tsikhanouskaya’s husband, who has been held incommunicado for two years. “I don’t even know if he is alive,” Tsikhanouskaya warned. “We must keep pressure on the illegitimate regime of Lukashenka until all unjustly detained are free, repressions stop, and all perpetrators brought to justice”.
Tsikhanouskaya also reminded the world of the strong support of Belarusians for Ukraine. The majority of Belarusians stand with Ukraine, volunteering, donating, and resisting the war. Over 1,500 Belarusians have joined Ukraine’s Armed Forces as volunteers. More than 60 Belarusians have already given their lives defending Ukraine. Among them was 24-year-old Maryia Zaitsava, who first took part in peaceful protests in 2020 and later joined the Kalinouski Regiment to fight for Ukraine’s freedom.
“The fates of Belarus and Ukraine are intertwined. There can be no free Belarus without a free Ukraine. And without a free Belarus, there will be no safe Ukraine or Europe. We must not allow Belarus to become a consolation prize for Putin. Russia must leave not only Ukraine but also Belarus”, – highlighted Tsikhanouskaya.
Tsikhanouskaya stresses that supporting Belarus is not charity – it is an investment in peace and security for the entire continent. A free Belarus is the best security guarantee for Ukraine and Europe. Independent Belarusian media, civil society, and human rights defenders must be supported. “To resist tyranny, we need a strong civil society. We need channels of communication. We believe that a new window of opportunity will open for Belarus, and we must be ready”, – noted Tsikhanouskaya.
To show that you #StandwithBelarus, you can:
Voice Solidarity: Share statements, tweets, and posts supporting Belarusians fighting for freedom and facing repression. Share news using #StandWithBelarus.
Show Visual Support: Display the national Belarusian white-red-white flag. Use banners, posters, or hashtags in public spaces.
Organize Events: Host discussions, seminars, exhibitions, cultural events, film screenings on Belarus.
Join Protests: Take part in or organize solidarity rallies with Belarusians abroad.
On Political Prisoners:
- Parliamentarians can become symbolic godparents via Politzek and Libereco.
- Learn more about political prisoners and repression in Belarus via Viasna. Write a letter to a political prisoner (also online): Viasna, Politzek.me, Dissidentby, Solidarity Postcards Atelier.
- Support female prisoners via Politvyazynka or released ones via Volnyja.
Aid Belarusian Volunteers in Ukraine: Support the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, and other Belarusians fighting in Ukraine.
Help Journalists: Provide legal and financial support through MediaSol, Reporters Without Borders, and International Media Support (Safety Fund), Belarusian Association of Journalists.
Donate to Key Initiatives: Support humanitarian aid, medicine, and protective gear via BYSOL, Free Belarus Center, Belarusian Youth Hub, Center for Belarusian Solidarity, Belarusian House in Warsaw, #BY_help, A Country to Live In, and ByMedSol. Support the International Humanitarian Fund for victims of repression. Cooperate with Belarusian Human Rights House, Belarusian Council for Culture, Razam Lithuania, Razam DE, Dapamoga, and Belarusian National Youth Council RADA.
