The unofficial leader of the Belarusian opposition, Svietlana Tsikanuskaya has visited Poland. During her visit Tsikanuskaya met Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, and the leader of the ‘Solidarity’ trade union, Piotr Duda. She also gave a lecture at the University of Warsaw on the current state of affairs in Belarus.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki handed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya the keys to the new building in Warsaw, the Belarusian House, where a meeting with representatives of the Belarusian community in Poland was held. The visit of the Belarusian opposition figures to Poland took place exactly a month after the elections in Belarus. According to the official results, Alexander Lukashenko was the winner, although the vast majority of Belarusians believe that the results were falsified.
“Let this place be a home for all those who cannot be in Belarus for the time being, but we will ultimately support Belarus to make it a place for everyone”, stated the head of the Polish government.
Mass civil protests have been taking place in Belarus continually since 9th August. At least 6 people have been murdered by the security forces and the fate of several dozen others is unknown. Protesters are thrown into prisons where they are tortured. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya found asylum in Lithuania immediately after the elections.
“All for one, all for one country, and now we are fighting for the right to vote, to choose to express our applause, now terrible things are happening in the streets of Belarusian cities”, said Tsikhanouskaya.
Belarusians who met Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya today call her the president, in their opinion she actually won the election on 9th August.
“This time is a lot worse than in 2010. Now OMON – the bielorussian government military police, arrests people, who are then tortured and some are killed during torture”, commented one Belarusian.
As Agnieszka Romaszewska-Guzy, BELSAT TV DIRECTOR, points out, the future of Belarus largely depends on the role of Belarusian society.
“I am certain that Bielarus will never be the same. There is no turning back. Belarus is opening a new chapter. What is it going to look like? We do not know. How long is it going to take? It is hard to say. Lukaszenka must go. He is digging in, but there is no way he is going to win. Society simply does not want him there”, said Romaszewska-Guzy.
After visiting the Belarusian house, and an earlier meeting with the Prime Minister at the Chancellery, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave a lecture at the University of Warsaw and also met the head of Solidarity, Piotr Duda. Tomorrow she will take part in the Economic Forum 2020 in Karpacz.