During her opening remarks at the New Belarus Conference 2024, the Belarusian leader announced discussions on how to support political prisoners, strengthen international support for Belarus, and assist repressed Belarusians. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for unity and active efforts to continue the fight for freedom and democracy. She emphasized the importance of supporting political prisoners and their families, as well as international cooperation in this matter.
“Dear friends, colleagues, like-minded people, journalists, viewers!
Welcome to the second day of the New Belarus Conference 2024, both to those in the hall and those joining online.
I know many people from Belarus are watching us.
Last night, a viewer from a small town sent me a message, asking me to convey the following words to the conference participants today: “I watch you all with both pain and joy. You, my dear ones, are our hope, the hope of those who continue the struggle inside the country. You give us hope that all is not in vain. But please stop whining and complaining. This grumbling demotivates both yourselves and all of us inside the country. We have not given up and have not resigned; please don’t say that nothing is happening in Belarus. We are doing more than you can imagine. We have no voice here. Be our voice”.
This is the message. And I believe this woman is right. We have no right to let down all those who count on us.
We cannot say, “That’s it, we failed, let’s just stop”. Because this would not only set us back on the path to change, but it would also negate all the great work that has been done at great cost and effort.
We also have no right to let all the political prisoners down. We must fight for their release every day.
Political prisoners are our collective pain. My heart breaks when I hear their stories.
I want to embrace each one. Like the sons of human rights defender Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, who was supposed to be released but is still being tortured.
Like the children of activist Antanina Kanavalava, who is imprisoned along with her husband.
The mother of human rights defender Nasta Loika, who has no one but her daughter.
At every meeting and in every speech I give, I raise the issue of political prisoners. We hold both public and private meetings, as well as large conferences, where we discuss at the highest level how to get people out of prisons and how to help their families.
Belarusian human rights defenders are doing a great job. They raise the issue of political prisoners at the UN and other international organizations. Initiatives deliver aid to those in Belarus.
Two months ago, Kryścina Šyjanok and the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in Prague held an international congress on Belarusian political prisoners, supported by the US Embassy. We discussed ways to free people from prisons.
With the support of Norway and Sweden, we launched an international humanitarian fund to support the repressed, and it will be presented today. Everyone needs to understand what it is for, how it will help Belarusians, and who can count on support.
I hope that this year another marathon in support of political prisoners will take place, and I am grateful to the media that supported this idea.
I welcome the initiative of our diaspora to conduct a global solidarity relay. This will help us build new connections with international partners and remind us, Belarusians, how much we love and are proud of our heritage.
One of today’s discussions will focus on how to mobilize international support for Belarus, as well as support Belarusians in exile and various initiatives. It is crucial that we act as a single community and help each other.
We will start with a discussion about Belarusian volunteers and veterans, and how to support them. Vadzim Kabanchuk, who joined the Cabinet yesterday, will be a key figure in this work.
I am glad that a great friend of Belarus, Ambassador-at-Large Ihor Kyzym, will join the discussion. The fact that an official representative of Ukraine is participating in our conference shows that Ukraine is interested in building friendly relations with Belarusians. We increasingly hear from Ukrainian politicians, especially President Zelensky, about Belarus. I am glad that Ukraine differentiates between the regime and the Belarusian people.
Today we will also discuss the situation in the Coordination Council, how to strengthen it, and how to make its work more productive.
I want to thank all the delegates, each faction for taking on great responsibility and risk. You are true heroes.
I am glad that yesterday we signed the Protocol for Cooperation between the key bodies of the democratic forces. This will make our work coordinated and more effective.
Dear friends,
Let’s use this time at the Conference to come up with new ideas, build contacts, and inspire each other. I wish us all a productive day.
And now, let’s get to work!
Long Live Belarus!
I am here, I am with you, dear friends. Feel free to join the conversations with me – this format was created for you. For feedback from people. I am eager to hear your constructive criticism, ideas, suggestions for help and cooperation. And I will definitely make time for you to share your achievements and joys. Or to support me and our team. Yes, I need that too. Like all of us. I always strive to be as honest as possible, without compromising the safety of others. You know that I have always spoken as openly as possible. I have nothing to hide.
One thing is certain – we listen to people, we are not closed off, we are ready for dialogue. I am ready.
Unlike Lukashenka’s system, we can listen and hear.
Over the past year, I have met and heard thousands of Belarusians. I believe it is really important to find time for people, despite numerous trips, meetings, and lack of sleep. Because, essentially, Belarusians are most important to me; it is for their future that I and my team work, as well as many other like-minded people and allies, both in Belarus and abroad, and in the parliaments of friendly countries.
I want to share with you a revelation that I had in my mind for quite a while.
I think there is no independent Belarusian politician, figure, or even activist who some people sometimes, or even all the time, demand a report from. Sometimes, let’s be honest, people show up out of the blue and simply demand an urgent report. Or they complain about something they believe I have to “fix” right here and now. Has this happened to you? It happens to me regularly.
“Sviatlana, why haven’t you toppled the Lukashenka regime yet?! It’s taking so long…” – I receive such messages in private from time to time. And in personal meetings, they phrase it in what they believe to be a more humane way, for example: “So, when will we win? When will we return home?!”
Friends… There was an attempt on Pavel Latushka’s life recently. My team and I receive threats regularly. And not only to us – to our children as well. And despite this, we continue our work. Simply because we feel it is our duty. And this is my answer to who owes what to whom.
For me personally, for the Cabinet, and for other democratic forces of Belarus, the priorities have been and remain to support the repressed, hold those responsible for crimes against the Belarusian people accountable, help Belarusians in exile, strengthen national identity, do informational and educational work, and defend Belarus’s independence.
I really hope that you hear me now”.
