Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “From childhood, we are taught to respect our elders: to give up a seat on public transport, help them cross the street, or carry heavy bags. We value their life experience and treat them with care. That is why it is especially painful to see the difficulties faced by elderly people in Belarus.
Every fifth pensioner has to continue working – and this number keeps growing. State benefits are no longer enough even for the most basic needs. This summer, a pensioner from Biarozа tried to meet Lukashenka to ask for a pension increase, but she was detained and sentenced to ten days in prison. While young people flee the country to escape pressure from the regime, care homes for the elderly are being shut down – leaving older people to rely only on themselves. At the same time, the regime throws seventy-year-old pensioners in jail for two years over online comments. At least 48 political prisoners are pensioners.
But even under such conditions, we must not remain indifferent. Elderly people are our parents and grandparents, those who worked their entire lives to give us a future. They deserve peace and support. That is why it is our duty not only to help them with everyday needs but also to jointly demand decent living conditions for all seniors: fair pensions, accessible healthcare, and social services. For society becomes stronger when no one is left without attention and support”.
