«Dear President Margareta Cederfelt,
Dear Secretary General Roberto Montella,
Excellencies, Dear friends,
It is an honour and privilege to address you today on behalf of Belarusian people who continue to fight fearlessly for freedom and democratic values. It is important that the voice of Belarus is heard.
We share the values of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and I am sure, very soon, that the representatives of a democratically elected parliament of Belarus will be present here too, and I am sure – they will not sit on the back benches in this room.
Today, as we mark one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I want to pass my message to all Ukrainians. Belarus stands with you. The whole world stands with you. Fight for every inch of your land. Fight for dignity, justice and your nation. We all admire your bravery and unity. As you know, Russia will be defeated.
The fates of Belarus and Ukraine are interconnected. We fight the same evil. We fight the tyranny and imperial aggression of the Kremlin. It doesn't see Belarus and Ukraine as independent nations. It wants to enslave our people too. But it will fail.
The victory of Ukraine will help our fight, but also vice versa. Democratic change in Belarus will be the best help for Ukraine. And a free Belarus will be the strongest protection against Putin.
Lukashenka’s regime became Putin’s accomplice in this war. Without his help, the atrocities in Bucha or Irpen would never have happened. Without his help, thousands of people would not have died. He must bear full responsibility, and must be brought to justice for war crimes, and for crimes against humanity.
There is hardly one article of the universal declaration of human rights that has not been violated by this illegitimate regime.
More than 60,000 innocent people have been repressed since 2020. On average 17 people are illegally detained every day. They receive terms of 5, 10, 15 years in prison for peaceful acts of political dissent. Last year alone, more than 5,000 were imprisoned on political grounds. Today 1500 people are recognized as political prisoners.
They are subjected to physical violence and psychological torture. They are denied basic human rights and contact with others. They receive no letters, no parcels, food or money transfers. Special tags are used to mark political prisoners, so the jailers know whom to torture more diligently.
Among them is our Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski, who is on trial right now together with other human rights defenders from Viasna. Next week he will likely be sentenced to 12 years of prison.
Among them is my husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski. Last week he was put on trial again, on new fake charges, to add to his 18 year sentence. He is held in solitary confinement, and my children have not seen him for three years. State propaganda spreads the rumour that he is dead. The regime is doing everything it can to break him and put pressure on me. But it will never break him, and it will never break me.
The regime’s goal is to destroy opponents physically and morally, to sow the seeds of frustration and apathy. Belarus has become one big GULAG. Denouncing the Optional Protocol of the ICCPR, the regime deprived Belarusians of their last chance to make complaints about human rights violations at an international level.
Even those Belarusians who fled this repression are not safe. The regime hijacked a Ryanair plane to arrest journalist Raman Pratasevich. It confiscates homes from people who have left. Their families are taken hostage. Lukashenka's embassies nullify and don’t renew passports. Thousands of people were left without state protection and without documentation.
But the regime has not managed to suppress the hunger of our people for freedom. Despite mass terror, people continue to resist. They unite in small groups, join partisan movements, conduct acts of sabotage and disobedience campaigns and spread honest news and information.
Liquidated Media and NGOs have restored their operations from exile. Democratic forces stay united around the idea of peaceful democratic change. Our goal is to win our country back, and conduct free and fair elections. Of course, we want dialogue, but dialogue can’t take place in such an atmosphere of terror and repression.
Dear friends,
I am sure that OSCE PA can play a constructive role in democratic transition in Belarus. Therefore, I ask you to keep Belarus high on your agenda. Consider adopting a special resolution on Belarus at the summer session of the OSCE PA. We are ready to work together on this.
I also ask you to organize a discussion on the Belarus agenda at the summer session. I urge you to speak out about human rights violations and in support of Belarusian independence. Invite representatives of civil society to discuss OSCE strategy on Belarus. I am sure that if we combine your expertise and experience, we can do much more.
I call on the OSCE to excommunicate Lukashenka's deputies from participating in all events. After 1994, not a single presidential and parliamentary election in Belarus was recognized by the OSCE/ODIHR as meeting democratic standards. The deputies, whom Lukashenka sends here, – are not elected freely by the people.
Not only do they lack a mandate, but they are criminals who have betrayed our people. What are these people still doing in international organizations? Who do they represent? On what grounds do they get the right to vote on behalf of Belarusians?
Instead, I propose to involve representatives of Belarusian democratic movement in the work of the OSCE PA through factions of the Assembly. Let’s make the voices of free Belarus loud and clear. I understand that there are regulations and certain limits. But these are not conventional times and they need non-conventional solutions.
Dear friends,
Let me assure you that free Belarus will become your good neighbor and respected partner. It will fulfill international norms and obligations. It will be a partner for stability and security in the region. It will respect human rights and democratic procedures. We will conduct all necessary reforms and take our seat in the front row.
Today we are building the future of Europe together. And this future should not have any place for war, oppression and tyranny. That time is over.
Thank you».
