Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya proclaimed February 7 the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus. It marked 6 months since the start of Belarusians' peaceful protests after the rigged elections in August 2020. Today, the whole world has expressed support for the people of Belarus.
Statements of European politicians
Ambassadors of EU diplomatic missions met with families of those Belarusians killed and relatives of political prisoners. Ihar Losik's wife, widow of Alexander Taraikovsky, and others attended the meeting. This is an important message for Belarusians about the solidarity of European countries with our people.
Ambassadors of EU countries together with families of killed and repressed Belarusians in Minsk
EU Diplomatic Service: “We are all impressed by the courage and the dignity of Belarusians demanding democracy. We support the people of Belarus and their right to fundamental freedoms and human rights. Their call for inclusive, transparent and credible elections must be heard and respected”.
Statement by EU High Representative Josep Borrell and European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi: “The European Union continues to stand firmly with the people of Belarus. The authorities must heed their persistent calls for a democratic future and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights. Violence against peaceful protesters must cease at once. All arbitrarily apprehended persons, including political prisoners and journalists, must be released immediately and unconditionally. All perpetrators of human rights violations must be held to account”.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda: “Lithuanians know what it is like to fight for freedom. Lithuania strongly supports the aspirations of Belarusian civil society to live in a free and democratic country!“.
Illumination of the Presidential Palace for the Day of Solidarity with Belarus in Vilnius
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė: “Today and every day Lithuanians stand with the people of Belarus“.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas: “Many people have become heroes in Belarus: artists, medical staff, students, old people – and Belarusian women. And especially you, dear Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Your courage has inspired many people in Belarus and other countries”.
Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod: “Denmark stands with the people of #Belarus in the peaceful fight for freedom and democracy”.
Irish MFA: “Ireland is proud to mark International Day of Solidarity for Belarus in support of the Belarusian people as they continue their peaceful & determined defence of democratic principles”.
Spanish MFA: “Belarus continue to demand democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights. Their call for inclusive, transparent and credible elections must be heard and respected.”.
Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok: “The brave people of Belarus have been protesting peacefully for six months. NL continues to stand by them. On this Day of Solidarity, we call upon the authorities to halt all repression and respect human rights and the democratic will of the people”.
Polish MFA: “Solidarity is a vital component of any community or society. It starts with understanding and taking a step closer together. It is time to establish a constructive internal dialogue for the better future of Belarus”.
Illumination of the Presidential Palace for the Day of Solidarity with Belarus in Warsaw
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba: “Ukraine reaffirms its solidarity with the Belarusian people in their aspiration to build a truly independent, sovereign, democratic and European Belarus, which Russia will not absorb. Belarusians should have the right to decide their future.
Day of solidarity with Belarus in Kiev
Croatian MFA: “On Day of Solidarity with Belarus the EU reiterated its strong support and solidarity with the people of Belarus in their persistent calls for a democratic future and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights”.
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde: “Today we highlight the solidarity with the people of Belarus who want their right to free and fair elections. As the crackdown on media and civil society continues, I call on the Belarusian authorities to respect their human rights obligations and commitments.”.
Estonian MFA: “People of Belarus, after peaceful protests, stand for their basic human rights, freedom and democracy. We call on the authorities to release political prisoners and media workers; end violence; engage in a genuine political dialogue; hold free, fair elections”.
Mayor of Warsaw Rafal Trzaskowski supported Belarusians: “Protests in Belarus have been going on since August 9, 2020, when the presidential elections were rigged. Despite detention, torture and even death, Belarusian women and men still fight for dignity, freedom and democracy. We are with you!”.
Mayor of Riga Martins Stakis took part in the rally for the Day of Solidarity with Belarus. The national flag of our country appeared on the ice of Daugava (Zapadnaya Dvina). The project was implemented by the Riga City Council and a local mobile operator.
Illumination to the Day of Solidarity with Belarus in Riga
Secretary-General of the German CDU Party Paul Ziemiak: “It is our obligation to stand side by side with the people of Belarus and encouragingly demand the beginning of real dialogue that must lead to reliable and transparent elections”.
UK MP Wendy Morton: “Six months on from the fraudulent Presidential election in Belarus, the UK stands in solidarity with those working towards democracy. The people of Belarus deserve a prosperous future, which they decided upon and can shape”.
EU diplomatic mission to the United States: “Six months after the fraudulent elections of August 9, 2020, the brave people of Belarus continue to demonstrate peacefully for their voices to be heard…and the EU continues to stand firmly with the people of Belarus”.
Statements by North American politicians
U.S. State Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs: “Today and every day, we #StandWithBelarus in the fight for democracy, liberty, and justice. We have truly been inspired by the Belarusian people peacefully demonstrating for their voices to be heard and their right to determine their own future”.
Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau says Canada will provide $2.25 million to support civil society organizations working to promote democracy in Belarus.
Statement by the U.S. Embassy in Belarus: “Every day but especially today, “The Day of Solidarity with Belarus,” the United States stands with the Belarusian people in their yearning for democracy, liberty, and justice. Fundamental freedoms inherently belong to the people of all nations and are long overdue in independent, sovereign Belarus.”
