Yesterday, May 28, Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt held a personal call with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to inform her that the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will use the name Belarus instead of Hviterussland (“White Russia”).
The name change takes place on May 29, the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus.
“I am glad that on this day we can announce the rename and demonstrate our solidarity with Belarus’ democratic forces,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya invites you to join actions and events devoted to Belarus today!
What kind of support do Belarusians need in their country and abroad?
- Media, offline and online campaigns: informing about the situation in Belarus, declaring that Belarusians are not the same as Lukashenko's regime, supporting Belarus' sovereignty and independence. You can also help by sharing news about Belarus on social media using the hashtag #StandWithBelarus.
- Support the official formations in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which consist of Belarusians voluntarily taking part in the war on the side of Ukraine: Kastuś Kalinoŭski Battalion, Regiment “Pahonia”.
- Donations to foundations that raise funds and humanitarian aid, purchase medicines, protective gear and transport for expediting Ukraine's victory. These are foundations and initiatives BySol, ByMedSol, PragueSupport, Free Belarus Center, Białoruski Młodzieżowy Hub, Center of the Belarusian Solidarity, Belarusian House in Warsaw, DAR, Partyzanka and FreeShop Partyzanka, A Country to Live In and any other from the Solidarity Platform.
- Solidarity with political prisoners and their families: write letters or become a “godparent” of political prisoners in Belarus. Visit the website of the Human Rights Centre “Viasna” to learn more about political prisoners, or send a letter through the website of the initiative “Vkletochku”. Support Belarusians by donating to foundations that help political prisoners and their families – A Country to Live In, BySol, #BY_help.
- Emergency help for journalists: legal and financial support, assistance with relocation and staying abroad; support through Media Solidarity Belarus (MediaSol), Reporters Without Borders (Rest and Refuge), International Media Support (Safety Fund).
- Plan and organise public, virtual or offline events devoted to Belarus, to discussing possible solutions and what the international community can do.
- Organise the appearance of visual symbols of support for Belarus #StandWithBelarus and Belarusian solidarity with Ukraine #BelarusWithUkraine in your cities. It can be graffiti, banners, posters, hashtags on public transport info boards or flags placed at administrative buildings.
- Hold discussions on the importance of officially changing the name of our country in your language from “Belorussia” and/or Belaya Rus (Weissrussland, Baltarusija, Hviterussland) to “Belarus”.
- Belarusians abroad can hold solidarity pickets these days, inviting the Ukrainian diaspora and uniting in this Day of Solidarity with Belarus.
