Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the Belgrade Security Conference, an inclusive platform for discussing pressing security, politics, and international relations issues. The forum aims to develop practical recommendations through analytical discussions.
Here are the highlights from Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s speech:
- On security and democracy:
“Without democracy, there is no real security. Belarus is a living example of what happens when democracy is lost. When a dictatorship goes unpunished, it becomes a threat not only to its own people but also to its neighbors”.
- On dialogue and mutual learning:
“Authoritarian leaders learn from one another, sharing tactics such as propaganda, disinformation, and repression. We also need to learn from each other. Governments, societies, and activists must work together to strengthen democracy and resist authoritarianism”.
- On cooperation:
“I invite civil society organizations to partner with Belarusians. There needs to be greater understanding between the Balkans and Belarus. Let’s share experiences and inspire one another. I urge government representatives to engage in official cooperation with democratic Belarus instead of the tyrant who has seized power”.
- On Andrei Hniot:
“We must not allow dictators to misuse international organizations. Andrei Hniot spent a year under arrest because Lukashenka used Interpol against him. I am grateful to the Serbian leadership for deciding not to extradite him. I am also grateful to the diplomats and civil society for their campaign to secure his release”.
