Gerd Greune, a great friend of Belarus, died

Gerd Greune, a well-known public figure, human rights activist, president of IFIAS left this world.

As it became known to charter97.org, Gerd Greune died on Friday in Hamburg.

His activities in the name of democracy in Belarus are remembered by many Belarusians.

Andrei Sannikov, coordinator of the civil campaign "European Belarus", former political prisoner, presidential candidate:

"For me it is a very great loss. Gerd was a true friend, who has repeatedly affirmed the strength of our friendship. He was a remarkable man, devoted to the cause of freedom, democracy and human rights. Greune did much to Belarus, he was helping to "Chernobyl" projects, and when the civil initiative Charter'97 just emerged, he helped to open the first in the modern history of Belarus office of democratic organizations in Brussels. This was done in the shortest terms and at that time (1998-1999, when the Internet was not so common), it is a office of Charter'97 performed a vital function of informing of opinion of the European Parliament, European officials about the situation in Belarus. Greune was producing a newsletter on civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus, organizing numerous events dedicated to the situation in our country, constantly participating in pickets in support of democratic Belarus. Gerd was the president and founder of the Brussels office of the Institute For International Assistance And Solidarity (IFIAS).

I am proud to be a member IFIAS. Gerd Greune provided all the recourses of the Institute for information activities of the democratic organizations in Belarus. These were not only political events, but also exhibitions of Belarusian artists. In 1998 has been carried out a very successful exhibition of famous Belarusian artist Ales Marachkin and Aliaxandar Rodzin, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the BPR. Gerd was supporting democratic activists around the world: in the former Soviet Union, at the Balkans, in Palestine. It's amazing how strong and energetic he was to participate in all these multiple projects.

He had one great feature: despite his own views on the situation in a country, which may not coincide with views of his partners, he always did what these partners were asking about. Many civil society activists, journalists, are thankful Gerd for the assistance he provided to them. One of my memories of him is our trip to Baranovichi to Mikalai Statkevich, who then was at the working colony. Gerd knew that it was not safe for him, but he always put interests of their friends, who are in difficult, situation, above his own. After getting out of jail, I learned that Gerd visited Minsk during my detention to support my mother, my wife and young son. In prison I received a letter from Gerd, which came to be by a miracle. Such letters helped me not only to hold on, but to survive.

Gerd was surprisingly likable. He was very handsome, tall man with a lion's mane of hair, with casually elegant stile and always the same red scarf, wrapped around his neck. At first glance one could feel this is an extraordinary person in front of you; conversations with him were a true pleasure. It is really great loss. My sincere condolences to his wife Susan, children, to the whole family, relatives and Gerd’s friends. He will be sorely missed by all of us".

Alena Tankacheva, chairman of the Center for Legal Transformation:

"Gerd Greune is a wonderful person, responsive, a person, who understood the context of our work very well, who has done a lot to ensure that in countries such as Belarus, as our neighboring countries, the situation with human rights will improve. For me the news of his death - it's a big shock ... "

Gennady Grushevoj, professor, member of the Supreme Soviet of the 12th and 13th convocations, head of the fund "Children of Chernobyl" for more than 20 years:

"This is a very sad news. Unfortunately, there are not many people in the West who wish to work in the are of human rights with a sincere desire to help people. Few choose this path, give all his abilities to it, despite that they do not receive any dividends but gratitude of people. Gerd Greune was one of these few people.

I was most attracted by his strength of the spirit and his service, which are not so common today.

I have always been proud of friendly, trusting relations between us, after all trust - it is a capital that is easy to lose, but hard to obtain, especially in the modern world, which is full of avarice and insincerity".