Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in an online hearing of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Parliament. Summary:
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on Italy to be decisive and take tangible actions to help Belarusians in their peaceful struggle for fair elections. Italy can insist on the release of political prisoners and expand sanctions against Lukashenka's “wallets.”
– The elected leader of Belarus invited Italy to participate in the international investigation of crimes against humanity committed by the regime in the last six months. The Italian Republic can use its authority in the OSCE, UN, and EU to call for mediation in the crisis and new elections in Belarus.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told about protesters brutally beaten by armed security forces without insignia. She gave examples of pressure on Belarusian worshippers and priests. Tsikhanouskaya described the story of Siarhei Melyants: the regime threatens to take his children unless Siarhei removes the national flag from the window.
“We call on Italy to act decisively and boldly: every day counts because every day Lukashenka and his repressive machine ruin hundreds of lives”, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said.
Piero Fassino, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Italian Parliament, noted that Italy did not recognize the presidential election in Belarus, condemned the brutality of the security forces towards peaceful protesters, and called for the immediate release of political prisoners, journalists, and all illegally detained. In addition, Italy has already imposed sanctions against officials in Belarus, including Viktar Lukashenka.
“The fact that you are speaking in parliament de facto recognizes the importance of your fight for freedom. And we cannot remain indifferent. The Italian Parliament is a place where your voice will be heard”, said Committee member Maurizio Lupi.
Italians wondered whether Tsikhanouskaya maintains communication with Belarusians inside the country. The leader of democratic Belarus responded: “All my thoughts are about Belarus. I regularly communicate with students, doctors, workers, local communities, striking committees. I need Belarusians, and they need me as a leader. I get energy from them, listen to their suggestions and advice. Talking with Belarusians, I feel at home”.
Committee member Laura Boldrini stressed the importance of diasporas in international work. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's team reported that diasporas help promote the Belarusian agenda in the world.
The full speech of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the event:
“Dear members of the Foreign Affairs Committee,
Thank you for inviting me to speak today. Over this past weekend, as we held the Day of Solidarity with Belarus, we received messages of support from Italy – the beautifully illuminated square in Bologna, rallies in Milan, Rome, Padua – thank you, Grazie Mille.
Italy is very close and dear to many Belarusians. Italian culture has always been extremely popular in Belarus. For many years, during summers, Italians have welcomed Belarusian kids from the areas contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster. I was one of the Chernobyl kids hosted by an Irish family myself. This hospitality built lasting ties between our families. It gave us a lesson on empathy and solidarity.
It is such a stark contrast with the cynicism that Lukashenka established in Belarus. Dictators want everyone to be for themselves, isolated, and weak. But Belarusians have changed this attitude. Last year, the world was struck by the coronavirus. In Italy, its spread was especially dramatic. But in Belarus, the state has simply given up on its duty to take care of people. In response, the wave of solidarity among Belarusians began and has not stopped since. Thousands of volunteers helped medical professionals and people affected by the disease. Belarusians saw their unity and strength, and in August, they voted against the dictatorship that abandoned them during the pandemic. Lukashenka lost the election, but he kept power by brutal force, terrorizing the Belarusian people.
And now Belarusians are fighting for their dignity and their right to elect freely.
Exactly today we mark half a year since the fraudulent presidential elections.
More than 32 000 people were detained, 1000 criminal cases started, and 228 persons are recognized as political prisoners. Many more will still be recognized.
We, Belarusians, are silenced. We, Belarusians, are told we don’t matter. We, Belarusians, are shown we don’t have human rights. We, Belarusians, are told to turn the page and forget about tortures and murders. But it will not happen. There is no way back for us.
There is no way back for the peacefully protesting Belarusian women who are brutally beaten in broad daylight by the armed bands without insignia.
There is no way back for Belarusian Catholic believers, whose leader Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was exiled for speaking up against the violence, while Catholic priests were imprisoned for being with their people.
There is no way back for the family of Sergei Melyanets whose children the regime threatens to take away if he does not remove the Belarusian national flag from his window.
There is no way back for journalists – Katsiaryna Andreeva and Daria Chultsova – who faced the trial today only for reporting live from the memorial of Raman Bandarenka – a young talented artist who was beaten to death by unidentified military officers.
The world understands what is going on, and a clear message must be sent that the blood on the regime’s hands will not be accepted.
The crisis in Belarus is not the concern of only our nation or our neighbors who have shown so much support – Lithuania, Poland, Latvia. It is a challenge for all in Europe, but it is also a chance for Europeans including Italians to prove that you are true to the principles of freedom and the rule of law.
- We ask Italy to be decisive and to take concrete actions to help Belarusians in their non-violent struggle for democracy.
- Italy should flatly recognize Lukashenka as illegitimate and his practices inhumane and illegal.
- Italy should vocally demand the release of the political prisoners.
- Italy should enforce sanctions against the so-called Lukashenka's “wallets”.
- Italy can participate in the international investigation of the crimes against humanity committed by the regime during the last months.
- Italy should use its influence in the OSCE, the UN, and the EU to call for the mediation of the crisis, and the new elections in Belarus.
We call on Italy to act with strength and confidence as every day counts, for every day Lukashenka and his repression machine ruins hundreds of lives.
Italians are known for their love of life and generosity. We, Belarusians, are deprived of the right to live peacefully and with dignity. We want to offer you to show your generosity and compassion. We need your help. This call for action is simple”.
