Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya concluded the first day of the New Belarus Conference 2024 by delivering closing remarks:
“Dear friends!
I have been asked to summarize the first day of the New Belarus Conference 2024. Well, I’ll try.
First. Today we announced new members of the Cabinet. I expect the new representatives to undergo the approval process in the Coordination Council. But I am glad that new people are joining, and I hope this will bring new energy to the Cabinet.
Second. Today we adopted the Protocol for Cooperation within the democratic forces. Let me thank everyone who worked on harmonizing this document over the past few months. These are the rules that lay the foundation for both our cooperation and trust within the democratic forces. We now have our own alternative institutions that defend and represent the interests of Belarusians.
Third. We adopted the Platform 2025. This is a general framework for our work. I am pleased that so many structures and organizations, both political and civic, have supported this platform. We invite others to join it as well. Now we need to fill this platform with practical activities. I expect everyone to take on a piece of the work because there is indeed a lot of work to be done, and there is room for everyone.
Fourth. We discussed the priorities for 2025. We must not let the regime turn over the page and freeze the situation while people are in prison, and the country is enslaved. Lukashenka’s election will neither be legitimate nor fair. We will strive for its non-recognition. We will act together and develop a common strategy for what to do on the day of the sham election, as well as before and after it.
We will strive for the release of political prisoners. The recent exchange showed that we need to look for unexpected moves and tools. We will use both political and diplomatic methods. And remind the world about every prisoner.
We will work towards a European future for Belarus. It is crucial to maintain the connection between Belarusians and the European Union. We will work on mobility programs, secure scholarships for youth, and mobilize support for our media, human rights defenders, and the repressed.
I am glad that today we have diplomats, ambassadors, and foreign partners here, who not only listened but also participated in the discussions. Dear diplomats and partners, you are our allies, and we greatly rely on your help and will never forget your solidarity.
Let me thank the organizers and participants of today’s conference, the hosts, translators, volunteers, and also our dear independent journalists who worked with us today.
My dear friends,
I know that some decisions are not easy. I know how hard it can be. But together we will surely prevail. You are my strength. Together we will bring down both the walls and the bars. And the oppressors. We just need time and perseverance.
We have the resources, ideas, and strength to keep going and countless positive examples of solidarity. We succeed more often than not. We are going through this ordeal together as a people. As a nation. And behind us are our political prisoners. We have nowhere to retreat. No one will decide or change our fate, the fate of Belarus, except for us.
Our work and the work of the conference are not yet finished. I hope to see you all tomorrow.
Thank you, friends. Long Live Belarus!”
