Belarusians are to Celebrate Freedom Day on Kalinouski Square :: Charter'97 :: News

The democratic forces of Belarus have filed an application to Minsk city executive committee to hold a protest rally on Kalinouski Square (October Square) at twelve noon a rally in commemoration the 89th anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic’s proclamation. It has been stated today in Minsk at a press-conference of leaders of political parties and public associations forming the steering committee on celebration of Freedom Day. The democratic forces have also sent a letter to Alyaksandr Lukashenka. In their address they asked him personally to allow holding the protest rally on March 25 in the center of Minsk and to take part in the festivity. “We are sure that this action would further promote an image of Belarus as a really independent and sovereign state, which is ready for substantive steps for democratization, inter alia named in the address of the European Commission of November 17, 2006. One of such steps should become cessation of prosecution for public and political activism, realization of the right for freedom of peaceful marches and meetings,” the address states.

As said by the leader of the Belarusian Popular Front party Vintsuk Vyachorka, at this moment the Belarusian authorities are to demonstrate that they are really ready to fight for independence of Belarus.

“At the moment celebration of Freedom Day is to take place in the situation of exacerbation of the struggle for independence of Belarus, which is endangered because of thoughtless actions of the regime which lead to nowhere. A serious conflict between official Minsk and official Moscow hasn’t been finished, it is to continue. We believe that Belarusian independence is a value on which we could base our consensus. We want March 25 to become a sort of touchstone to show too which extent the regime is sincere when stating its intention to defend Belarusian independence. The way out of today’s deadlock is in quick, immediate democratic reforms. The European Union has suggested a list of such reforms, and in exchange for them the country and the nation could receive considerable support. The format of the rally on March 25, absence of repressions could give a chance to the regime, to show that it is ready for democratization,” the leader of the party Vintsuk Vyachorka said.

As said by Vyachorka, on March 25 Belarusians are to recall “heroic events in Minsk on March 19-25, 2006, which have awaken and demonstrated the spirit of dozens and hundreds of thousands of Belarusians”.

The leader of the democratic forces of Belarus Alyaksandr Milinkevich is sure that this year celebration of Freedom Day is to take place exclusively on Kalinouski Square in Minsk.

“March 25 is a holiday traditionally celebrated by the democratic forces, but this year is a special one indeed. Firstly, because independence of the country is still at risk. And we must say that the democratic forces of Belarus are firmly standing on positions of independence.

We should demand the regime to start destroying the “Chinese wall” between the country and the European Union. It is extremely important for us to develop relations with the European Union, it is a guarantee of safety and independence. There are no anti-Russian politicians among us, we want to build sincere, predictable relations of good neighbours with Russia, but it is extremely important that our right to live in a sovereign state would be respected by Russia.

It is important that the democratic forces do not recognize the results of the election of the last year and demand new election. But we are constructive people, and I think it is correct to address Lukashenka. Nobody denied the regime is responsible for repression against dissenters, but the regime has the last chance to start reforms. I do not believe very much it is possible, but maybe a risk to lose power could teach them something.

Freedom Day is a very important holiday, and it should be celebrated on Kalinouski Square exclusively. Besides, it is a question of principle morally. If we go to a different place, we would betray ourselves,” Alyaksandr Milinkevich stated.

At the press conference other politicians have also made statements supporting holding the rally on March 25 in Kalinouski Square. They are a deputy chairman of the United Civil Party Ihar Shynkaryk, one of the leaders of the “Young Front” Barys Haretski, the leader of the “Right Alliance” Yuras Karetnikau, one of the leaders of the Belarusian Social Democratic party (Hramada) Anatol Lyaukovich, the chairman of the Council of Belarusian intelligentsia Uladzimir Kolas, the president of The World Association of Belarusians “Batskaushchyna” (or "Fatherland") Ales Marachkin, one of the leaders of entrepreneurs’ movement Alyaksandr Makaeu.