Freedom March held in Minsk 15 years ago

One of the largest and most significant opposition rallies marks the 15th anniversary on October 17.

Freedom March turned a new page of the Belarusian Resistance. As with any historical event, we should remember in what conditions it was held if we want to evaluate the importance of the rally.

1999 was the year of abductions and killings of opposition leaders Yury Zakharanka and Viktar Hanchar, businessman Anatol Krasouski. Lukashenka's most popular opponent and prominent politician Henadz Karpenka died in mysterious circumstances in March 1999. Members of the Supreme Council of the 13the convocation Andrei Klimau, Uladzimir Kudzinau, artist Ales Pushkin and other opposition members are in jails. Pressure on the independent media is growing. Authorities tighten screws. Pro-Russian RNE party becomes active and stronger. Neo-fascists attack democratic activists with the support and acquiescence of the authorities. Some police stations begin to patrol streets together with RNE members.

Lukashenka's 5-year presidential term expires on July 21, 1999. His further staying in power is illegal. However, the opposition's attempt to hold an alternative presidential election failed.

Nothing seems to stop further killings of the regime's opponents on the scenario of Latin American “death squads”. Political opposition is disintegrated and scared, democratic activists don't believe in their forces...

Tens of thousands of people took to Minsk streets, which became a surprise for many. Most protesters were young people. Participants of Freedom March unfurled 30-meter white-red-white and EU flags and chant “Freedom for political prisoners!”, “No dictatorship!”, “Belarus must be in Europe!”. Thousands of people walked along Minsk central streets to dispel the myth that opposition was weak.

The rally ended with clashes between protesters and the riot police. Dozens were arrested, and a criminal case was opened against the organisers. The European Union, the OSCE and a number of western countries condemned the use of force against peaceful demonstrators and said the clashed had been provoked by the Minsk authorities and the police high-ranking officials.

Freedom March showed the world that the people of Belarus prefer the European democratic path of development to the medieval dictatorship and barbarity.

Freedom March returned the hope to many and showed that struggle goes on.

The Belarusians demonstrated to the regime that they were not scared and wouldn't tolerate the criminal act of “death squads”. Political abductions and killings were stopped.

The young people who took part in Freedom March or saw it became a new generation of Belarusian democrats, the people who know the price of freedom and are ready to fight for it, the people who will never become slaves whatever the circumstances are.