Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Just recently, the regime in Belarus expanded the list of so-called “extremist formations”. The list, which already includes 274 news outlets, youth organizations, and volunteer initiatives, now also features the investigative journalism project BuroMedia and the initiative supporting politically imprisoned women, Politvyazynka.
The regime is trying to yet again prove that it can discredit and erase the value of Belarusian initiatives. It’s the only way it knows to demonstrate “power”.
But true power means thinking about people – about how to protect, support, and speak the truth even in the most difficult circumstances. Initiatives like BuroMedia and Politvyazynka are exactly about that. They demonstrate how people, without any state support, take on meaningful work for the benefit of Belarusians.
Once again, we see how hard it is for the regime to accept that people can unite, support each other, and act selflessly – without reward, without fear. No matter how many times Lukashenka and his allies try to destroy free thought, they will never impose their worldview on the people who value truth. They will never break the will of those who fight for justice and help others. Only someone incapable of humanity and integrity could call these values “extremism”.
I am grateful to everyone who continues their work despite the risks and pressure. People need you – and you’ve already done so much. I believe even more lies ahead”.
