At the international forum, the representatives of Belarus - the opposition politician Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya and the wife of the Nobel laureate and political prisoner Ales Bialiatski Natalya Pinchuk, who spoke in turn online.

Tsikhanovskaya: "

Freedom is never given for free"

Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya

stated that she comes from Belarus, an unfree country that has lived under brutal tyranny for 28 years.

"A country where people are deprived of basic human rights.

A country ruled by fear, where even whispering the word "freedom" can land you in prison.

The hardest lesson we've learned over the years is that freedom is never free, it comes with demands.

And independence is also not guaranteed forever.

These values ​​require courage, responsibility and self-sacrifice.

They need people who are ready to put the interests of others first.

Natalya is one of those people.

I met her recently, but I admired her courage for a long time.

The case of her husband, the well-known democratic activist and political prisoner Ales Bialiatski, has become a legend among Belarusians."

Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya.

2022

Tsikhanovskaya told how Natalya supported Ales for 35 years, who peacefully fought for the independence of Belarus, taking risks during the communist dictatorship.

And when Ales was arrested again, she became his main defender, during the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to him last year, she spoke on his behalf, calling on the world to be resolute in supporting the Belarusian people in their struggle for democracy and the survival of Belarus as an independent state.

"Many people call our revolution "women's" precisely because of such people as Natalya."

Pinchuk: "

The challenge

to the dictatorship was thrown by a woman"

Natalya Pinchuk

said in her speech that "Belarus was a dark spot for Europe for many years, but suddenly in 2020 the image of Belarus changed:

"To the surprise of many, the dictatorship was challenged by a woman.

Svetlana was not going to enter politics.

But when her husband decided to run for president and was arrested, she courageously took his place.

The authorities did not take her seriously and paid a heavy price.

Svetlana won the election.

The regime did not agree with the will of the people and, with Moscow's support, began to terrorize Belarusians.

Svetlana works for her people.

She became a real leader in the eyes of Belarusians and the whole world.

She creates the future of democratic Belarus, constantly experiencing fear and trauma."

Natalia Pinchuk 2022

Pinchuk noted that she knows how difficult it is to stay strong when her husband is in prison.

Tsikhanovskaya noted that the situation in Belarus and Ukraine today is a test of loyalty for the world.

"When we got married, we swore to be faithful to each other.

How strong is the marriage between democracy and freedom?

We women remain faithful to our husbands, whom the dictator has taken hostage and is torturing.

Our country and our people are also hostages.

But the people of Belarus remain faithful to the ideal of democracy.

We want freedom for our husbands.

We want freedom for our country."

Natalya Pinchuk stated that Lukashenka's regime sends all dissenters to prison, and the consequence may be the loss of Belarus' independence;

that the persecution of Belarusians continues for their support of Ukraine, anti-war stance, protection of Belarusian culture, identity, and language.

Tsikhanovskaya said that "the struggle for independence from imperial Russia is also a struggle for freedom and human rights."

"And the fight against the pro-Russian dictatorship in Belarus is a contribution to the victory of free Ukraine," the politician added.

Natalya Pinchuk said that changes in Belarus are the task of Belarusians themselves.

"We started this fight, we will finish it.

But the path of peaceful, non-violent resistance that we have chosen will be successful only with strong international support and solidarity."

Tsikhanovskaya noted that "Belarusians have already made their choice - the choice of a free European democratic and stable future."

She called on the international community to help Belarusians defend their choice and return the country.