Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Belarus’ independence. On Aug. 25, 1991, the Supreme Council voted to give constitutional law status to the Declaration of State Sovereignty, adopted on July 27, 1990.
She stressed that the idea of independence can unite all Belarusians and called for a national dialogue.
“Dear Belarusians! Today we mark 35 years since the restoration of Belarus’ independence. Many generations of Belarusians dreamed of having their own state. They fought for it, went to prison and were forced into exile. And only our generation was fortunate enough to live in our own independent country. Perhaps that is why for a long time we took independence for granted, as something that would never disappear. Today we understand how fragile it is.
We see this in the example of Ukraine, which is paying a terrible price for the right to remain independent. We also see it in Belarus, where Russia is penetrating ever deeper into the military, economic, information and cultural spheres. And today the question is extremely urgent: will we be able to preserve Belarus as a truly independent country?
Independence means the right to determine our own fate, choose our leaders, speak our own language, teach our children our own history, decide for ourselves whom to be friends with and which alliances to join, and know that decisions about Belarus are made in Belarus, not in Moscow.
Without independence there will be neither freedom nor democracy, nor will there be a future. And it seems to me that independence is what can unite all Belarusians today — those who were on the streets in 2020 and those who were not. Those who live in Belarus and those who were forced to leave. People with different political views, even those who are on opposite sides of the barricades today.
And I want to make a separate appeal to people inside the system — officials, diplomats and members of the military. I know that many of you cherish Belarus and understand the danger of losing independence. Those who do not want Belarus to be dragged into war, or our children to die for the foreign imperial ambitions of dictators. Here we have a common interest — to preserve our country.
That is precisely why we need a national dialogue to end repression, peacefully lead the country out of the crisis and preserve Belarus as an independent state.
Of course, much depends on what happens in Ukraine. A strong Ukraine and a weak Russia will give us a chance to pull Belarus out of Russia’s orbit. Yes, we have many friends and allies who are ready to help, but no one will win freedom for us instead of us, Belarusians. This is our responsibility and our task.
History has already shown that we know how to find a way out even in the most difficult times, when the fate of the country is at stake. And Aug. 25, 1991, was one of those days. Happy Restoration of Independence Day. Dear Belarusians! Long live Belarus!” she said.
