Today, on Freedom Day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Seimas of Lithuania during its plenary session. She honored the long history of friendship between Belarusians and Lithuanians and thanked Lithuania for supporting repressed Belarusians, assisting Belarusian NGOs in exile, and maintaining a clear stance against the regime.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that Belarusians continue their struggle for freedom amidst repression and creeping Russian occupation. Her speech touched on a wide range of pressing topics, from regional security to historical partnerships and Belarus’ future as part of the European family.
“Today, the usurper in Minsk is holding another fake ‘inauguration’. This is a futile attempt to ‘turn over the page’ and reclaim legitimacy. But this will not happen. Just as Belarusians have never recognized the dictator, they will not recognize him now.
He must be held accountable for his crimes: for the war against Ukraine, for hybrid attacks against Lithuania, for the hijacking of a plane. For the terror against Belarusians. And Lithuania has already taken the first step in this direction – last year, it referred the regime’s crimes to the International Criminal Court, a step we fully support.
A long process of restoring justice and legality lies ahead. We do not know how and when change will come but we are preparing for it and bringing this moment closer.
Today, in this chamber, I urge you to continue supporting Belarusians and our fight. Support independent journalists, human rights defenders, cultural and educational initiatives. Continue welcoming those who have been repressed, political prisoners, as well as Belarusian veterans who fought for Ukraine.
But I ask you: While isolating the regime, do not build a new Iron Curtain!
Visas and passenger travel – all of this strengthens the connection between Belarusians and Europe. The border with Lithuania today represents the border with the free world”.
