Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The recent news has caused outrage and disappointment, and I want to express my support for all women affected by harassment. Thank you for finding the strength to speak openly about such important and painful issues. Inappropriate and shameful behavior cannot be justified or silenced. This is a broader societal problem that affects families, workplaces, and the entire community.
Regarding the specific case involving BYSOL, I’d like to highlight a few important points.
First of all, BYSOL is not one person. It is an organization that has been working for years. It is a team formed by experienced, professional, and resilient people. People who helped others even when they themselves were in danger. Many of them have stood with Belarusians since the very beginning, through the hardest times.
Secondly, when the community learned about Andrei Stryzhak’s unacceptable actions, the foundation responded responsibly by acknowledging the problem, removing the director from his position, and launching an internal investigation. No one tried to ‘cover things up’. I believe that this transparent and honest response reflects the standards we all expect from NGOs working for Belarus.
Thirdly, even such a serious incident must not erase the value of the entire team’s work. We must not allow one person’s actions to destroy the years of work by the foundation. BYSOL has helped – and continues to help – thousands of Belarusians. The foundation has supported people whose lives were in danger, and people who remain at risk still need it.
BYSOL does not deserve to be ‘canceled’. It deserves support – precisely because it plays such an important role in Belarusian society. What the former director did is no reason to destroy the foundation built over years by honest and dedicated people”.
