“Dear friends,
I am honored to be here with you in Davos today. And there is no better place to discuss the fate of democracy than in the House of Greece – a country which is the cradle of democracy.
This year, more than half of the world’s population is called to vote. It has been described as a decisive moment for democracies worldwide.
Are democracies able to defend themselves and prevail? Or will they allow tyrants and populists to take over?
Democracies should stay as one united front to confront tyranny no matter in what part of the world it appears. Because tyranny is like cancer. It grows unless it is removed completely.
If just one cancer cell remains – it will return with deadly force. The cancer of tyranny must be fought, not compromised.
In our region, the fate of democracy is being decided in Belarus and Ukraine. We are defending not just our freedom and sovereignty against the imperial ambitions of Russia.
We are fighting for the very values of democracy. Human rights. Rule of law. Freedom of speech. And this fight will decide the future for all of Europe.
In Ukraine, Russia is fighting with missiles and tanks. In Belarus, it is fighting with terror, political, and economic tools. It doesn’t see Belarus nor Ukraine as independent countries.
In Belarus, Russia is helped by a homegrown dictator Lukashenka who is selling our sovereignty to Putin just for the purpose of keeping power to himself and his elite.
He is probably the only dictator of a kind who rejects the national identity of its people, and dreams about reviving the Soviet Union, the prison of nations as we call it.
Belarus is a perfect example of what might happen if you neglect democratic institutions. It has been 30 years since we had free elections in Belarus.
Promising to restore order, the dictator destroyed the parliament, independent courts, and the media. My country was turned into a police state where elections turned into a ritual without meaning and real choice
In 2020, Belarusian people rallied against injustice. After years of mismanagement, bad governance and repressions, Belarusians demanded change.
My husband decided to challenge the dictator and run against him. He was immediately put in prison. To support him, I ran in his place.
Our message of positive renewal resonated with our people. And they gave me a decisive victory in the election. It was a historic moment for us. But the dictator refused to go and unleashed unprecedented terror against own people. Thousands were arrested. I haven’t heard from him for almost a year. This is a situation I share with thousands of other Belarusians.
The protests that followed the stolen election – on a scale never before seen in our country – were crushed with brutality and terror. Tens of thousands went through detention. Some were killed, on the streets or in prisons. Half a million went into exile since 2020.
Today, more than 1,500 remain behind bars as political prisoners in the most inhumane conditions. Just last week, we learned that political prisoner Vadzim Khrasko died due to the lack of proper medical care. He is already the 4th prisoner to die under such circumstances. Many more are in serious health conditions. They are being slowly killed and need our urgent help.
The regime is trying to extend its repressions to Belarusians in exile. They are denying consular services, such as renewal of passports. We are working on solutions for this, including a new Belarus passport, to help those who may be left without valid documents.
They are also targeting our families and confiscating and destroying our property at home.
But it won’t deter us from our work to achieve a democratic and European future for Belarus. For every voice that is silenced by the regime, we who are free must raise our voice even louder.
Belarus pays a high economic price for the lack of democracy. The country has been stagnating for more than 10 years. The quality of life has been deteriorating, and Belarus today is one of the poorest countries in Europe with no signs of strong economic growth in the coming years.
I am thankful for the international solidarity to our people. There is still more to do; more pressure on the regime, more support for democratic forces, civil society and media, more efforts to free political prisoners and help their families.
We are counting on your continued support and solidarity.
Dear friends,
I would like to discuss the two types of threats facing democracy: those that come from within and those that originate externally.
I am reminded of a powerful quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt: ‘Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely.’
Around the world, we witness the erosion of democratic norms, the silencing of dissenting voices, and the manipulation of information. These are the storms we must weather.
The internal threats to democracy are insidious. They manifest in the erosion of democratic institutions and values from within. In my country, we have witnessed how a dictatorship of 30 years can systematically dismantle checks and balances, silence the media, and suppress any opposition.
These actions corrode democracy from the inside, much like termites in a wooden structure, weakening it until it is on the brink of collapse. Belarus was still a young democracy, and it fell victim to a power-hungry dictator.
Next month, the dictator will try to legitimize his rule with fake elections. It is an absolute mockery of a democratic process – they even refused to invite OSCE observers. We call on the world not to recognize this sham.
This is an important lesson – not every “election” actually deserves this name. Without a fair process, freedom of press, rule of law and independent observers, there is no democracy.
Externally, democracy faces challenges from authoritarian regimes that seek to expand their influence and undermine democratic norms. The aggression we are experiencing from Russia is not just a regional conflict; it is an assault on the very principles of sovereignty and self-determination that underpin democracy. This external threat acts like a storm battering against a house, trying to break through its defenses.
In facing these threats, vigilance and solidarity are our greatest allies. Democracies around the world must stand united, not only in condemning these actions but also in taking concrete steps to support those fighting on the frontlines of freedom.
The response to these threats must be robust and unwavering, as the cost of inaction is far too great.
The international community plays a crucial role in this battle. Your support, be it through sanctions against oppressive regimes, aid to those fighting for democracy, or providing support to those escaping tyranny, sends a powerful message. It demonstrates that the world will not stand idly by in the face of tyranny.
We must fight for democracy at two fronts: We must collectively work to bolster democracies from within, ensuring that institutions are strong, transparent, and accountable. We must also present a united front against external aggressions that seek to undermine democratic values.
The heart of democracy is its people. In Belarus, we have seen the unbreakable spirit of citizens fighting for their voice, their rights.
Despite the challenges we face, I am filled with hope. The spirit of the Belarusian people, their courage and determination, is a testament to the enduring power of the human desire for freedom and democracy.
I ask you to stand with us. Stand with Belarus, stand with Ukraine, and stand with all those who fight for democracy. Together, we can turn the tide against these threats, ensuring that the future is one where democracy, not tyranny, prevails.
Thank you for your attention, your support, and your solidarity.
