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  • Camp for protesters, courts and 221 political prisoners. Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Royal United Services Institute

    January 28, 2021

    Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in an online event of the Royal United Services Institute on the future of democracy in Belarus. Among speakers at the meeting were Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland Marcin Przydacz, Lithuania's Foreign Vice-Minister Mantas Adomėnas, responsible for multilateral diplomacy at NAU Vladzimir Astapenka, British Minister for European Neighborhood and the Americas Wendy Morton.

    In her speech, Tsikhanouskaya recalled the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and spoke about the camp for protesters built (but already dismantled) in the Minsk region as a signal that not everyone in Belarus has learned an important historical lesson.

    “Never again should an 18-year-old teenager be sentenced to two years imprisonment for drawings on special equipment — like Sofia Malashevich. Never again should a journalist be tried for the truth about the murder committed by the regime's henchmen — like Katsiaryna Barysevich. Never again should they mercilessly kill a well-meaning citizen defending national symbols — like Raman Bandarenka. Never again should there be 221 political prisoners in Belarus. Never again should anyone be afraid to voice their opinions and stand up for their rights. Never again”.

    Tsikhanouskaya also called on the EU, UK, USA, and Canada to expand sanctions, investigate crimes of the regime, recognize OMON and GUBOPiK as terrorist organizations, help Belarusians in obtaining European vaccines, and promoting dialogue on new free and fair elections.

    Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was followed by Vladzimir Astapenka, responsible at NAU for multilateral diplomacy. In his address, he noted that the terror of the illegitimate authorities of Belarus against its own people must be stopped. The representative of NAU stressed the danger of the so-called All Belarusian People's Assembly, which can be used as a cover for replacing the real voice of Belarusians. 

    Astapenka also spoke about the general plan of democratic forces, which is aimed at supporting the protest movement and victims of mass repression, increasing political and economic pressure on the regime, further mobilization of the international community to protect fundamental human rights and freedoms in Belarus and create conditions for the organization of inclusive dialogue to emerge from the political crisis through the holding of new presidential elections.

    Speech by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya:

    «Dear Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

    Thank you for the important opportunity to speak at this event.

    The people of Belarus have been protesting for almost 6 months. They are peaceful and determined. Belarusians are persistently going towards their common goal – living in a free country where they can choose their leader, where the state violence is unacceptable and those disrespecting human rights are brought to justice.

    In summer, the whole world watched with admiration as our nation was reborn and our national flags flooded the streets. The creative slogans, the beautiful people with flowers and smiles on their faces – those images are impossible to erase from one’s memory.

    In autumn and winter, the protest has matured despite the unspeakable repression. Despite the fact that every demonstrator could end up in a prison cell. The protesters have self-organized communities of seniors, students, doctors, teachers… They have teamed up with neighbors and showed how autonomous they are. Neighborhood communities have become the place for a grassroots movement to grow and strengthen. I speak to them virtually almost every week and the energy and stamina of these people give me so much hope.

    Hope that there is no turning back. Hope that these people are unstoppable. Hope that after Belarusian summer, autumn, and now winter, there will come Belarusian spring when we will once again show the world that if you persevere, you can change the whole country.

    And the time is ripe for a change. While yesterday was the International Holocaust Remembrance Day marking the anniversary of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp liberation, it became known that the authorities in Belarus were building their own camp – a camp for dissidents in the Minsk region. It seems like the traumatic history lesson has not been learned. We can not allow history to repeat itself. We have sacrificed so much to make sure that the violence of these months will never happen again.

    Never again should an 18-year-old be sentenced to two years in prison for spray-painting a police shield, like Safiya Malashevich. Never again should a journalist be on trial for publishing the truth about the murder committed by the regime’s cronies, like Katsiaryna Barysevich. Never again should a well-meaning  citizen who was protecting national symbols be ruthlessly murdered, like Raman Bandarenka.

    Never again should there be 221 political prisoners in Belarus. Never again should anyone be afraid to speak their mind and stand up for their rights. Never again.

    That is why our fight continues and on our path international solidarity has been a major support.

    The UK became one of the first countries to introduce sanctions against those responsible for grave human rights violations. Now that both the UK and the EU have at their disposal Magnitsky-style legislative tools, I call on our partners from both sides of the Channel to use them and expand the list. I truly hope that the EU fourth package of sanctions will be adopted as soon as possible

    I call on the UK, EU, USA, and Canada to consider creating an international body that will start investigations of the crimes committed by Lukashenka’s regime. The OSCE and its Moscow Mechanism are crucial in this respect.

    The crimes against humanity perpetrated by the regime should be brought to court under universal jurisdiction. We have started this process in several countries already. I call on our partners to support our efforts in advocating for OMON and GUBOPiK to be recognized as terrorist organizations.

    Belarusians demand a change and want to achieve it peacefully. I call on you to mediate an inclusive dialogue so that Belarus can finally see a peaceful transition of power.

    Civil society and independent media are the backbone of a functioning society. They are fearlessly remaining on the frontline of the demonstrations. I call on you to support them by all possible means.

    The repression in Belarus has led to many fleeing the country due to the threat to their safety. I call on you to provide visa support and create opportunities for Belarusian students and academics, doctors, and other specialists.

    We shouldn’t also forget the pandemic is raging, and Belarusians are affected in numbers that are much higher than those the government declares. I call on you to support Belarusians in receiving the European vaccines.

    We should not forget that right now political prisoners are behind bars risking being infected with COVID-19, without any help from their captors. You can write to them, raise their cases in your meetings, support their families. It matters a lot to know that you are not forgotten, that there are so many people who are working towards your freedom every day.

    It matters a lot for Belarusians to know that they are remembered, that their struggle is supported, that democratic countries are on their side. The fight for democracy is our challenge. But the freedom we are fighting for will mean a lot to the whole continent.

    On 7 February, we are gathering together with our friends all over the world for the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus. Stand with us in our quest for freedom and justice. Stand with Belarus!

    Жыве Беларусь! Thank you».

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