On Friday, February 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced a public phone-in with Belarusians. Anyone could register for the online meeting, and more than a hundred people applied in a couple of hours. The registration is temporarily suspended, but the Office will publish the registration link as soon as it opens again.
Belarusians of all ages, people from the regions and Minsk, relocated Belarusians, former political prisoners joined the call. Belarusians suggested topics and issues for the Office to address, demonstrating their concern for the present and future of Belarus.
Belarusians raised various issues during the call with Ms. Tsikhanouskaya and her team.
– The poor operation of public transport, as this problem is as significant as the prices and taxes increase.
– Distortion of history in schoolbooks. A school student complained about the neglect of many historical events like the mass executions at Kurapaty. He said he was frustrated to see the equation of “Long live Belarus” with the Nazi slogans.
– Liquidation of NGOs in Belarus. Currently, around 600 organizations are under liquidation. Some of them relocate to resume their activities in countries such as Georgia.
– Justice. When asked about how the security officers and officials will be brought to justice after the transition of power, Sviatlana and her advisors said that those who committed serious crimes would be held accountable under the law. The rest will be subject to the Concept of National Reconciliation developed by the Coordination Council.
– The future reform of healthcare and education. As the reform has to be developed now, Belarusians can share their suggestions with Tsikhanouskaya’s team.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked participants for the discussion: “Perhaps such public phone-ins are one of the best experiences in months. I saw and heard Belarusians who are sincerely concerned for their country. At such moments, I feel proud as I imagine my return to Belarus when we will all be able to see each other and talk face to face safely and freely”.
Public phone-ins will be resumed on Tuesday next week and held weekly.
