Mikola Statkevich: March 25 to Become State Holiday :: Charter'97 :: News

A leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic party (Narodnaya Hramada), a coordinator of the European coalition, currently a political prisoner Mikola Statkevich who serves two years of corrective labour for organizing mass rallies, believes that March 25 is to become a state holiday in Belarus. “The aim of negotiations with the authorities announced by Alyaksandr Milinkevich is very noble and understandable for all, as independence is an essential pre-requisite for freedom and democracy. There would be no freedom without independence, and with independence we will achieve freedom, sooner or later. Milinkevich’s suggestion is very apt for European policy, as the opposition leader demonstrates he is a reliable politician, who can take part in the process of establishing dialogue of Belarus with Europe. I believe March 25 is to become a state holiday in Belarus. I am sure many people would gather to celebrate Liberty Day. On March 25, 1918 a momentous event took place in the history of our country, which pre-determined statehood of Belarus. Besides, for many people March 25 is a remembrance about the events of the last year, when dozens thousands of people took to the streets in Minsk to defend their choice,” told Mikola Statkevich in an interview to the Charter’97 press-cenetr.