More than 18,000 people signed a petition for the transfer of the World Hockey Championship in 2014 from Belarus to another country (www.change.org/belarus2014), initiated by MEP Marek Migalski and two-time world champion in hockey, MEP from Slovakia, Peter Stastny.

International organizations and institutions constantly appealed to the International Ice Hockey Federation to transfer the Championship to another country, but the leadership of the IIHF did not respond to these requests and continues to maintain its position.

That is why the global platform Change.org and the office of Marek Migalski decided to hold a protest, which calls to apply directly to the sponsors of the Hockey World Cup – Skoda, RaiffeisenBank, InfrontSports & Media and Tissot.

It is necessary for sponsors to understand that we want the World Cup in 2014 to be moved to another country, and that we cannot imagine such an important sporting event taking place in the country of “Europe’s last dictator” -  said the organizers of the action.

Change.org and the office of Marek Migalski appeal to everyone to support the campaign. You can take action by:

1. leaving a message on the Facebook page of Skoda, RaiffeisenBank and Tissot (see examples below).

2. sending a message to all the sponsors on Twitter (you can use already prepared messages).

Examples:

Please tell IIHF to move the  World Hockey Championship 2014 from Belarus due to human rights violations. You as sponsors can do it! More: www.change.org/belarus2014

Stop sponsoring the dictatorship! As sponsors of the World Hockey Championship 2014, please reconsider Belarus as the host. More: www.change.org/belarus2014

Belarus is Europe’s last dictatorship and you are sponsoring the World Hockey Championship 2014?! Please reconsider your support and tell IIHF to change the host! More: www.change.org/belarus2014

Belarus cannot be the host of the World Hockey Championship unless it releases all political prisoners and abolishes the death penalty. Please reconsider your sponsorship and ask IIHF to do the same! More: www.change.org/belarus2014

Dear Fellow Belarusians!

On behalf of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, I greet you on the occasion of our great national holiday, the anniversary of that glorious 25th March 1918, when our people proclaimed our state’s independence. In that memorable year we did officially cease to be the nameless population of the North-Western Province of the Russian Empire, and declared to the world, that it is us – and only us – who have the right to be the masters of the land that is and has always been ours.

In fact it took over 70 years of hard struggle before Belarus became a sovereign Republic. Today, despite those who betrayed us and took over the authority of the state,  and despite the  forced silencing of our people, Belarus is alive. It lives on  in the resistance against the violations of freedom, against the violations of human rights and  the rights of the nation.

Just as we used to console ourselves for so many years by saying  that no empire exists forever  and that   “the Sun shall shine in our window too” – so today we remember that the usurper’s days are numbered and neither he, nor his sponsors, will be able to erase Belarus from the map of the world.

Belarusians are a people with a lot of endurance. We value life,  but we are not slaves. Do not let the dictator think that the moderation and patience of Belarusians is without limit.

Our people did more than once set out “in tight formations” to defend their land. With God’s help, they  will defend  ‘their republic’s life’ this time as well!

Long live Belarus!

____________________________________________________________

«Дарагія Суродзічы!

Ад імя Рады Беларускай Народнай Рэспублікі, віншую Вас з нашым вялікім нацыянальным сьвятам, угодкамі таго слаўнага 25-га Сакавіка 1918 году, калі наш народ абвесьціў незалежнасьць сваёй дзяржавы. У той памятны год, мы афіцыйна перасталі быць абарыгенамі Паўночна-Заходняга Краю Расейскай Імпэрыі ды сказалі сьвету, што мы – і толькі мы – маем права гаспадарыць на нашай – спрадвечна нашай – зямлі.

Заняло праўда яшчэ больш за 70 гадоў цяжкога змаганьня, пакуль Беларусь сталася сувэрэннай Рэспублікай. Але сёньня, ня гледзячы на здраднікаў, якія перахапілі ўладу, ня гледзячы на змушанае маўчаньне, Беларусь жыве – жыве ў супраціве гвалту над свабодай, над правамі чалавека і нацыі.

Так як мы калісь з году ў год пацяшалі сябе, што ніводная імпэрыя ня вечная і што «загляне сонца і ў наша ваконца», сёньня мы таксама ведаем, што дні ўзурпатара палічаныя і ні яму ні ягоным спонсарам ня ўдасца ўжо сьцерці Беларусь з карты сьвету.

Беларусы — народ цярплівы. Мы цэнім жыцьцё, але мы не рабы. Няхай дыктатар ня думае, што памяркоўнасьці і цярплівасьці беларусаў няма канца.

Наш народ ня раз выходзіў «шчыльнымі радамі» бараніць сваю зямлю. З Божай дапамогай, ён і гэтым разам абароніць жыцьцё рэспублікі сваёй!
Жыве Беларусь!»

The day of March 25, 1918 became the guiding star for many generations of Belarusian, but not for the incumbent regime.

Father Alexander Nadson, the priest of the Belarusian Greek Catholic Church and Apostolic Visitator for Belarusians abroad, gave an interview to charter97.org before the Day of Freedom.

- In a few days we will celebrate the 95th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic. First of all, let me congratulate you on this day and ask, what does it mean to you?

- Thank you. I would like to congratulate your readers on the day of March 25. This day is a symbol, the guiding star that lights our way. When the Belarusian People’s Republic was declared, we got hope that the time will come when Belarusians obtain real independence. Without this event our lives would have been much harder.

- In your view, why is it so that the official powers not only ignore this day, but even hinder common Belarusians from celebrating it, by breaking peaceful demonstrations and assaulting their participants?

- The question is, if the powers truly are Belarusian. I doubt it. That’s why they create hinders. We can recall from history that long ago in the Ottoman Empire there was an army of janissaries. The powers took away young children from their non-Turkish parents. The children were then raised to hate everything what was theirs. These soldiers were the most violent in the entire Turkish army. Today’s people in the regime are somewhat similar to the janissaries. They hate everything Belarusian. It is obvious that Lukashenka doesn’t serve our people. For him, the most important thing is his desire of individual power. Just remember the first years of his rule: at those times he had great ambitions, he wanted to become the leader of the neighbor state – but he didn’t succeed. He lacks scale. So he had to limit his ambitions to Belarus that became his barony.

- After 1918 there have been many attempts restore Belarus’ independence: the armed uprising of Slutsk, certain resistance during the Second World War, the anti-soviet partisan movement. Why wasn’t the goal achieved?

- There were many reasons. First of all, the geographic location of Belarus, with no natural defense on its borders. It was very difficult to preserve the independence. The second reason is that during that time the national consciousness of the Belarusian people was just forming. Basically this process began in the early 20th century with Nasha Niva newspaper. And several decades was not enough to make the entire nation realize how important an independent state is. I believe that the majority of people, particularly in the villages, simply didn’t care.

- After the war ended you left Belarus and took part in the partisan movement in France fighting against the Germans, and also joined the army of General Anders. Did you meet many Belarusians? Did they participate in the military actions on the “western” side of the anti-Hitler coalition? What were their hopes?

- It was the year 1994, the war wasn’t over. I left with a group of decent Belarusians and we hoped that our country would become independent. We realized what the West didn’t know anything about Belarus. We were registered as Poles or Russians. And we tried to change that. First of all, we needed to fight to be recognized as Belarusians, to create an understanding that there is such a country, Belarus.

- You were among the founders of the most powerful union of Belarusians abroad in the post-war time, Association of Belarusians in Great Britain. What goals did the Belarusian Diaspora pursue? Did you manage to achieve them?

- Our first goal was to preserve our Belarusian heritage and help each other. Another crucial goal was to spread information about our country. After the war we had to start our lives anew in a new country. And mutual help was important not only to settle down, but also to remember that we are Belarusians. It was very hard, but at least Belarus became less unknown due to our efforts. We were young and full of energy and we could accomplish something. Our achievements in Great Britain are the Association of Belarusians of Great Britain and the editorial house Belarusian Studies. We even invited western researchers of Slavism to study Belarus.

- In your opinion, what main tasks do Belarusians abroad have today? What are the key directions of the Diaspora’s activity? How can it impact the situation in the country?

- It is hard to impact. The generation of the emigration wave that I belong to is elder, many of our friends are leaving us. There are not so many people of my age left. There is a new emigration wave, those who emigrated in the end of the 20th – beginning of the 21st centuries. Many of them settle down, get a job, but I don’t see any interest in working with the Belarusian issues there. I always feel sad when I can’t find that solemn spirit that we shared when we were starting up things from nothing back then. It is very good that people don’t deny their Belarusian nationality today, but it’s sad that so few of them actually do something for their country. There are exceptions from this rule. There are people who left abroad and who work hard. But if we look at the significant number of Belarusians who live in the West, there are only few activists among them. But we should thank God for those who do something.

- We know from the examples of our neighbors, like Poland, what decisive role the church can play in the fight for freedom. What role does the church (I mean all traditional Christian churches) play in the fight for freedom of Belarusians? What role should it play? What is needed for that?

- This question is both interesting and emotionally charged. The purpose of the church is not to fight for national independence. But, on the other hand, we are Christians, believers, and we should always fight for the justice. And this justice should be for everyone, people of all nationalities, social status and so on. I do it as a priest. As a Belarusian, I always say that our people should take its place in God’s family of all peoples.

- Do you plan to meet with Pope Francis? What would you discuss with him?

- If God gives me strength, I would like to come to Rome and ask for the Pope’s audience. But it is too early to talk about it. The main thing I’d ask is to pray for Belarus.

- Today some western politicians claim that Lukashenka guarantees the independence of Belarus, and urge to negotiate with him. Is this the right position? Who guarantees the independence of Belarus today?

- Unfortunately, this is nothing new. Even before the WWII western politicians, democrats sought compromise with Hitler. It led to nothing. They sought compromise with the Soviet Union. Again, nothing happened. Now they are looking for a compromise with Lukashenka. He is a little person, not the same scale as Hitler or Stalin. But western mentality always tries to avoid conflicts. To keep things calm. It is not always feasible. Such compromises have never resulted in something good. Sometimes it is necessary to express one’s moral attitude, a strong moral position.

As for the question about those who guarantee independence, I have much hope in the young people of Belarus. Although I am far away from them, physically and in my age, I watch the new generation with interest and hope. Despite all difficulties, there are many decent Belarusians there. The fact that today our country is independent, even though only on paper, is already penetrating the people’s mentality. Even if they don’t use the Belarusian language, they realize that they are Belarusians, citizens of the Republic of Belarus.

It is crucial for everyone to do only what agrees with one’s consciousness. It would have been very good had the same rule applied to the politics,.

- We know from history what role emigration has played for countries under occupation. For example, the Polish government of Sikorski in exile during the WWII, Free France of de Gaulle. In your view, how influential is the Belarusian Diaspora today? What does it lack to raise its authority?

- The number of emigrants has played a crucial role here. The Polish Diaspora was very strong already in the 19th century. The Belarusian Diaspora has done what it could. And it couldn’t do that much. The people who left after the last war had nothing in the new country. And they managed to do a lot, for the culture and for the politics. Belarus is no longer a “white spot” on Europe’s map. Association of Belarusians in Great Britain has contributed with the English-language Journal of Belarusian Studies published during 20 years and spread among all largest libraries in Europe, among many politicians and scientists. Moreover, a new generation of young Belarusians has come. They are citizens in other countries, but they consider themselves Belarusian, they cherish their roots. This phenomenon is particularly strong in the U.S. and Canada.

- There was a period when many governments in exile have passed their powers to official representatives of their countries. And it was not uncommon that some of the emigrants took key posts in new democratic governments. Is a similar scenario possible in Belarus?

- People from the old emigration did a smart thing: in the early 90s some thought that Rada of the Belarusian People’s Republic should pass its powers to the Belarusian government. They didn’t do it back then, and I believe that that was they did right. But I do hope that soon the time will come when it will be possible, when a democratic government will be elected in Belarus.

- Thank you for the interview.

- Thank you. And once again, I would like to congratulate on the 95th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic and wish all the best.

This address was given by Ivonka Survilla, President of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic – the government in exile:

Dear Fellow Belarusians!
On behalf of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, I greet you on the occasion of our great national holiday, the anniversary of that glorious 25th March 1918, when our people proclaimed our state’s independence. In that memorable year we did officially cease to be the nameless population of the North-Western Province of the Russian Empire, and declared to the world, that it is us – and only us – who have the right to be the masters of the land that is and has always been ours.
In fact it took over 70 years of hard struggle before Belarus became a sovereign Republic. Today, despite those who betrayed us and took over the authority of the state, and despite the forced silencing of our people, Belarus is alive. It lives on in the resistance against the violations of freedom, against the violations of human rights and the rights of the nation.
Just as we used to console ourselves for so many years by saying that no empire exists forever and that “the Sun shall shine in our window too” – so today we remember that the usurper’s days are numbered and neither he, nor his sponsors, will be able to erase Belarus from the map of the world.
Belarusians are a people with a lot of endurance. We value life, but we are not slaves. Do not let the dictator think that the moderation and patience of Belarusians is without limit.
Our people did more than once set out “in tight formations” to defend their land. With God’s help, they will defend ‘their republic’s life’ this time as well!
Long live Belarus!

“Дарагія Суродзічы!

Last week Andrei Sannikov participated to a conference chaired by Dr. Andrew Wilson at UCL (University College London), in the series of the SSEES Talks (School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies).

Belarusian diplomat and Deputy Foreign Minister in 1995-1996, Sannikov founded the campaign European Belarus, and he stood as a candidate in the 2010 presidential elections in Belarus. He got the best result after Lukashenko, although official sources attributed him only 2,4% of votes. During the protests that followed the results of elections on 19 December 2010, Sannikov was badly beaten and arrested. After being mistreated in prison for almost a year and a half, he was released in April 2012, and in October of the same year he moved to the UK, where he was granted political asylum. His wife, the journalist Irina Khalip, is still de facto under house arrest.

During the conference, Sannikov gave a historical overview of Belarus, “a founding member of the UN”, he stressed, and an independent state long before the Bolsheviks came into power. Talking about the transition in 1991, he regretted that the West paid more attention to security issues than to the creation of democratic institutions in the country: as Belarus had nuclear power, all attention was for disarmament talks. He recalled how Lukashenko came into power: in 1994 the then prime minister Kebich, after managing to transform Belarus into a presidential republic, was defeated in elections, mainly for the discontent of Belarusians regarding the stagnation of reforms in the country. Instead, a not well-known politician was elected, Alexander Lukashenko. What happened later is notorious: state institutions were weakened or emptied of their functions, and limits to the power of the president were eliminated (also in a temporal sense) through several referendums. If before 2010 a “Belarusian perestroika” seemed on the way, the elections made clear that the regime is not changing. Lukashenko has been playing for years a game of “East-West swing”, turning to Russia when the EU puts pressure on him, and vice versa. It is this game that should be stopped.

Many very interesting questions were raised from the public. Several of them concerned the 2010 elections: Sannikov explained his personal satisfaction for the electoral campaigns, including the fact that there were many alternative candidates, as it was more difficult for the regime to control them. He expressed his surprise for the intervention of the security forces on 19 December 2010, as in previous protests the government had never enacted repression so immediately and so strongly. In his opinion, this kind of “tacit agreement” was violated because Lukashenko was too scared by the results of the elections and the massive amount of people in the streets (30.000 people, the biggest demonstration Belarus has ever seen); when he understood that a second round of elections would be inevitable and that support for other candidates was so strong, he personally gave the order to crash the demonstrations.

As Sannikov’s campaign, European Belarus, supports closer relations between the country and the EU, he was asked several questions concerning the role of Europe. Sannikov stated to be in favour of European integration for Belarus, if people agreed to it: economic reforms based on EU strategies were the core of his campaign, with the expertise of several international professionals in the sector. He also argued in favour of sanctions, “morally justifiable” against the dictatorship, as no other ways seem available to stimulate change in the country. Lukashenko’s power base is very fragile, especially with the economic and financial crisis, and this could be the right button to push. External pressure proved necessary also when communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe fought for their freedom, so it could be the case for Belarus too.

But what about Russia? Although in favour of a European Belarus, Sannikov claimed that a strategic relationship with Russia should be maintained. He sees no contradiction in this, as he thinks that Russia would not oppose a change of regime in Belarus, and, although there will always be a Russian influence of Belarus, the role that Russia plays in internal developments in Belarus is often exaggerated.

Sannikov and his team went through terrible times after the 2010 elections, also due to the fact that their campaign was the most active and most visible. He is still not reconciled with his exile, he said, and many other Belarusians are still in prison for no reason; but he still hopes for a free Belarus.

On 18^th March 2013, the Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe), in partnership with Free Belarus Now, are organising a coordinated pan-European action in many different cities across the continent to show support towards the oppressed civil society and opposition movements in Belarus.

This action, called “Free Belarus“, will take place for the 8^th time in a row, on the occasion of the anniversary of the infamous presidential elections 2006 in Belarus. Since 2006, the JEF-Europe have been 2006 campaigning for the guarantee of democratic freedoms and the protection of human rights of Belarusian people.

Organised on a yearly basis, the campaign “Free Belarus” of JEF-Europe aims to raise awareness among European citizens about the deplorable status of democracy in Belarus and simultaneously extend its solidarity towards Belarusians striving for more freedom. For instance in 2010, the “Free Belarus Action” was successfully organised in 120 cities all over Europe and around the globe, to raise public awareness for the ever-brutal and still existing dictatorship at the EU’s very doorstep.

The 2013 edition of the “Free Belarus Action” will call on Europe and its people to stand up for freedom in Belarus, focusing on different freedoms in Belarus (freedom of assembly, speech, press, minorities, etc.) being still attacked in Belarus.

For more information, please visit: http://belarusaction.wordpress.com/ and http://www.jef.eu/

On 21 February, Irina participated for Free Belarus Now to a meeting with students of the London School of Economics.

The LSE European Society organised a projection of the documentary “Europe’s last dictator“, followed by a discussion session. Many students attended the event, making the experience very interesting.

A number of important questions were raised, concerning the political situation and the respect of human rights in Belarus. Some of the students did not know much about the situation in Belarus, and they were particularly impressed by the images of the repression of protests after the 2010 elections.

Many of them thanked Irina personally, and were sincerely moved by her words. The question many people raised remains open: what can be done for Belarus in Europe?

Free Belarus Now will participate to the projection of the documentary “Europe’s last dictator”, organised by the European Society of the London School of Economics. After the film, there will be a discussion about the current situation in Belarus, concerning in particular human rights and political prisoners.

The event will take place on Thursday 21 February from 5pm to 7pm in the Old Building of the London School of Economics. Attendance is free, but registration is required.

Please come and join us!

If you need more information, please contact info@freebelarusnow.org

“Two years have passed since the brutal crackdown on freedom fighters in Belarus. As Europe is getting ready to celebrate Christmas and go on holiday, the courageous political prisoners in Belarus still face unbearable, humiliating practices of the dictatorship, last one in Europe. The governments in Europe are not doing enough to help freedom in Belarus. Maybe they will listen to intellectuals, actors, directors, playwrights who stand for our rights, and who won the gratitude of Belarusian people.”

Andrei Sannikov

It is already two years since the violent crackdown that took place in Belarus on peaceful demonstrations that contested the results of last elections.

Unfortunately, after a period during which Europe seemed to be taking action against the Belarusian regime, European politicians have lately gone back to supporting this regime in their actions: trade has increased, and negotiation are currently being held about the normalisation of European-Belarusian relationships.

This happens at a time when political prisoners are still tortured in prisons, and the freedom of many people is still restricted; Europe cannot simply forget about this.

As a part of the campaign of Free Belarus Now, Natalia Kaliada and Nicolai Khazelin have asked famous British actors and directors to record  video appeal to  David Cameron to urge him to take decisive actions to free political prisoners in Belarus.

You can find more information on an article on the Guardian (click here).