On August 9, Belarusians around the world held rallies and events to mark the day when peaceful protests against the dictatorship began six years ago. On this occasion, heads of state, government ministers, and leading politicians from around the world expressed their support for the Belarusian people.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has compiled a list of some of the most notable quotes from those who expressed their solidarity with Belarusians.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
“Belarus will be free. Six years after people stood up for a new future, their voices have not been silenced. Europe stands with them, and will keep pushing for a Belarus where liberty, media freedom and the will of its people prevail.”
https://x.com/EP_President/status/2086377664084918770
European Democrats
“Six years ago today, Belarusians went to the polls in a presidential election stolen by Lukashenka’s regime. That same night, they took to the streets to defend their vote, democracy and freedom. We cannot forget them. Today, as then, we stand with the persecuted democratic opposition, the dissidents being silenced, and all those facing Lukashenka’s growing repression. Regimes are destined to fall. And when this one does, we will be there by your side to celebrate.”
https://x.com/democrats_eu/status/2086404192374051249
European Commission (Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood)
“Since 2020, the EU has mobilized €200 million, which has directly benefited thousands of Belarusian students, researchers, artists and professionals, and sustained Belarusian civil society, independent media and human rights defenders. The European Union reaffirms its unwavering support for the Belarusian people’s quest for a free, democratic, sovereign and independent Belarus as part of a peaceful and prosperous Europe. We also reiterate our call on the Belarusian authorities to initiate a genuine and inclusive national dialogue, to end their continued support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and to cease their involvement in hybrid attacks at the EU’s external borders, including the instrumentalization of migrants for political purposes.”
EU Neighbors East
“Since 2020, the EU has supported Belarusian civil society, independent media and victims of the repression. One of those newsrooms is Zerkalo. Run by Belarusian journalists in exile and supported by the European Endowment for Democracy, set up by the EU and its member states, it is read by 2.2 million people every month, more than half of them inside Belarus, where contacting the newsroom is a criminal offence.”
https://x.com/euneighbours/status/2086399615276867644
Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
“Ukraine clearly distinguishes between the Belarusian people and the Lukashenka regime, which bears responsibility for enabling Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We appreciate the many Belarusians who have stood with Ukraine and opposed Russian aggression. We hope that one day Belarus will become free, independent, democratic, and European, where its people, not Moscow, decide the country’s future. Such a Belarus would strengthen the security of our entire region. Ukraine will continue its close engagement with Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya and all Belarusians who are willing to live in a free and European Belarus.”
https://x.com/andrii_sybiha/status/2086401870151520268
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
“The courage shown by the Belarusian people over the past six years continues to inspire us. Despite relentless repression, political imprisonment and forced exile, their commitment to democracy remains. We pay tribute to those who have paid a high price for defending their rights and call for the release of all political prisoners. The Congress will continue supporting Belarusian democratic forces and working towards a future in which Belarus is sovereign, free and democratic.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1339873991657280&set=a.231087555869268
https://x.com/COECongress/status/2086347999798501528
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
“The Lukashenka regime continues its repressive policies, including transnational repression targeting Belarusians in exile. The number of political prisoners continues to grow, while ever more people are arbitrarily designated as extremists. Belarus also continues its hybrid campaign against neighbouring EU states through the instrumentalization of migration and remains complicit in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
We strongly condemn these inhumane actions and call on Belarus to cease them immediately. Latvia stands with the people of Belarus in their pursuit of a free, democratic, and sovereign Belarus.”
https://x.com/Latvian_MFA/status/2086286347078082695
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
“Freedom cannot be silenced. The future of Belarus belongs to its people. Every day, Belarusians demonstrate extraordinary courage in defending their right to determine their own future.”
https://x.com/MFAestonia/status/2086324093171962343
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia
“Slovenia stands with the people of Belarus and supports their aspirations for freedom, justice, and a democratic future. All political prisoners must be freed.”
https://x.com/MZEZ_RS/status/2086320275797291149
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
“Civil and democratic forces of Belarus need our further support. Lithuania will continue doing its part. The international community must continue pressing Lukashenka’s regime to release hundreds of its political prisoners and stop repressions.”
https://x.com/LithuaniaMFA/status/2086351841370001667
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania
“Romania reaffirms its firm and consistent support for the aspiration of the Belarusian people to live in a free, democratic, sovereign, and independent state, as part of a peaceful, prosperous Europe united around democratic values. We reiterate our call on the Belarusian authorities to engage in a genuine and inclusive national dialogue, to cease their support for the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and to put an end to any involvement in hybrid attacks directed against Member States of the European Union.”
https://x.com/MAERomania/status/2086331646962499959
https://x.com/oana_toiu/status/2086524044174672330
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden
“Six years ago today, the Belarusian people peacefully protested against fraudulent presidential elections. Sweden will, together with the EU, continue to support the people of Belarus in their struggle for a democratic future of their country.”
https://x.com/SweMFA/status/2086361690384273580
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada
“Six years after Belarus’ fraudulent 2020 presidential election, the Lukashenko regime continues its brutal repression of peaceful dissent and supports Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.”
https://x.com/CanadaFP/status/2086452435472552044
Tone Kajzer, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia
“Six years ago, they denied the Belarusian people free and fair presidential elections. Despite ongoing repression, their courage endures. We stand with the Belarusian people and once again reaffirm our unwavering support for a free, democratic, and independent Belarus.”
https://x.com/TKajzer/status/2086348112520520040
Elina Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland
“Six years ago, the Belarusian people were denied a free and fair presidential election. Despite ongoing repression, their courage endures. We stand with the people of Belarus and reaffirm our unwavering support for a free, democratic and independent Belarus.”
https://x.com/elinavaltonen/status/2086319879846584356
Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania
“Six years ago, Belarusians bravely protested a stolen election and faced brutal repression. We continue to stand with the Belarusian people in their pursuit of democracy. We call for the immediate release and rehabilitation of the nearly 900 political prisoners.”
https://x.com/mindaugassink/status/2086335447332970905?s=46&t=XY8mfkpATN6Mn-Vf3YtArQ
Kęstutis Budrys, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
“Six years ago, Belarusians stood up for a change. The regime responded with violence, repression, and fear. Today, Belarus remains deprived of freedom, while Lukashenka’s regime supports Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and participates in hybrid attacks against neighbouring countries. Lithuania stands firm with the Belarusian people and their right to a free, democratic, sovereign, and independent Belarus.”
https://x.com/BudrysKestutis/status/2086383199790272904
Miguel Berger, Ambassador of Germany to Poland
“On August 9, we remember the Belarusians and Belarusian women who, in 2020, protested peacefully, demanding freedom and democracy. We stand in solidarity with those who continue to experience repression. Germany steadfastly supports the Belarusian people in their pursuit of freedom.”
https://x.com/Amb_Berger/status/2086387691445194982
Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister of Sweden
“It’s six years since massive protests in Belarus against a stolen election were answered with massive repression. But the spirit of a nation, while it can be suppressed for a time, can’t be broken. There will come a time when conditions for change are ripe.”
https://x.com/carlbildt/status/2086391582874317033
Michael McFaul, United States diplomat
“Belarus will one day be free.”
https://x.com/McFaul/status/2086393307551412451
Oleksiy Goncharenko, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
“We pay tribute to the courage of the hundreds of thousands of Belarusians who took to the streets in 2020 to fight for the right to determine the future of their state themselves, and we stand in solidarity with the thousands of innocent victims and political prisoners of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s dictatorial regime. We firmly distinguish the Belarusian people from the criminal regime in Minsk. We believe that the restoration of democracy in our neighboring state in the future will restore the normal situation in which the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples are peaceful neighbors, friends, and natural allies. We bow to the fighters of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment and other Belarusian volunteers who are defending Ukraine with weapons in their hands. We express our full support and solidarity with all Belarusians who resist the dictatorship of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and Russian imperialism!”
https://x.com/GoncharenkoUa/status/2086396235120828820
Thijs Reuten, Member of the European Parliament
“Belarus will be free. We will stop the dictator together.”
https://x.com/thijsreuten/status/2086404725549695059
Tatiana Termacic, Head of PACE Secretariat Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media
“Congratulations to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for the anniversary of her election as President of Belarus. Her victory was stolen, but there is no way back. Belarus will be democratic. Sooner is better than later.”
https://x.com/TatianaTer1/status/2086404082445533469
Stewart Wood, Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom
“Today marks 6 years since the Belarusian regime’s crackdown against its own people, who called peacefully for their voice to be heard. The UK stands with the Belarusian people’s democratic aspirations. We urge the regime to release those still detained for exercising their rights.”
https://x.com/StewartWood/status/2086379828484137373
Senate of the Czech Republic
“At the Senate headquarters today, the historical flag of Belarus is flying again. The decision to raise it was made by the Chairman of the Upper Chamber, Vystrcil Milos, on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the manipulated presidential elections and the subsequent demonstrations and arrests in Belarus.”
https://x.com/SenatCZ/status/2086355295538737553
