The leader of Belarus’ democratic forces spoke before the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, urging the politicians to address the issues related to Belarus, and substantiated her argument with a series of emotional statements.
- In Belarus, no one is asking people what they want, how they want to live, where they want to spend their money, where they want their kids to study.
- I remember the main rule we were taught in schools: don’t stick out. Sit silent. “There are smart people who will decide for you” – they say.
And this is exactly how dictatorship is growing. When people are passive, when laws are not working, and some “smart people” that you never heard and saw – decide on your future.
- The revolution taught our people to be self-sufficient, brave, and take responsibility – for their own future and their own communities.
- Our revolution, which is still ongoing, laid the foundation of a new democratic system, in the center of which are the people.
- Now, we clearly realize what change in Belarus we are fighting for.
We fight for Belarus where the government is accountable. Where people are self-organized, make collective decisions, and take responsibility for these decisions. Where every individual is respected, and laws are working.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
