“Today, I would like to honor the memory of a man who left a profound mark on our history. As the first leader of independent Belarus, a scholar, and a politician, he laid the foundation of our nation’s independence and dedicated his life to transforming Belarus into a free and democratic country.
Stanislau Shushkevich played an active role in key events that shaped our country’s future. Belarus chose independence in 1991 thanks to his work and principles. He always put the interests of the country and its people above his own, tirelessly fighting for Belarus to follow a democratic path until his final days. Preserving Belarus’ unique culture and history and resisting the relentless pressure of ‘russification’ were critical to him. His dedication to a free future for the Belarusian people earned him two Nobel Peace Prize nominations.
Mr. Shushkevich’s vision of Belarus as a European country living by democratic values continues to inspire us today. At a time when Belarusians face repression and resist the efforts to destroy our national identity, Stanislau Shushkevich’s legacy reminds us that the fight for freedom and independence is never in vain. He demonstrated that even in the most challenging circumstances, one can work for the sake of the nation.
The path we continue to follow toward a free and independent Belarus is Stanislau Shushkevich’s legacy. We honor his memory and remain committed to building the free country he always dreamed of”.
