Dulina to Kalesnikava: We must save the entire nation from tyranny, not just political prisoners

The crucial dilemma – whether to negotiate with Lukashenka or to cut him off from the civilized world – does not lose its relevance.

Proponents of the first option continue to defend their opinion, its key argument being "save people." Their opponents – political, ethical, strategic, call them what you will – still tirelessly explain how deceptive and harmful the slogan "the main thing is human life" is in this case, however paradoxical that may be.

Well, I decided once again to pour a few drops of Alka-Seltzer – or whatever they take now for severe intoxication and hangover – on the open wounds of the human-loving proponents of diplomacy whom I respect.

In general, I am also for saving people. But we need to save not only those in colonies. We need to save everyone who is imprisoned in the jail named Belarus. And the fact that this is also a prison, only with a wider territory, has long become obvious.

In this prison, the authorities ignore and violate laws. Constantly, routinely – this has already become the norm. But even this is not enough. The country cynically invents new laws that legalize what was previously done contrary to legislation.

For example, when I filed a complaint with the court that the colony and the Department of Penal Enforcement did not respond at all to my request for a release certificate, the court replied that it could not react – it was outside its jurisdiction. Well, don't worry! A new law is now being discussed, according to which state institutions have the right... simply not to respond to citizens' inquiries. Allegedly, in cases of "abuse of the right to appeal".

Let's move on.

Recently, Lukashenka delivered a tirade full of angry emotions: he said, whoever works poorly in agriculture will go to the border with Ukraine to the army. This latest outburst attracted the attention of democratic forces as it again reminded them of Lukashenka's readiness to physically enter the war. But no one was outraged by how boldly he disposes of human destinies.

When he started as a kolkhoz chairman, now he behaves like a landowner with nine million serfs. True, this is not news, he has long treated Belarusians like slaves: medical graduates are obliged to work off their assignments for as long as he wishes and wherever he wishes. He twists other people's businesses as he wants, as well as culture. I won't even mention education, it's scary to recall.

Let me also add about saving people. Political prisoners are being released. Some having served their full term, some by pardon, some by forceful expulsion from the country. So.

Many of those who remained in Belarus cannot find work (officially it is very difficult), many cannot open a bank account or connect a phone in their own name. In addition, the state threatens them that for any offense they can instantly return to the colony. All those who were expelled abroad have had their passports annulled. This means at least that they will not be able to return to Belarus – their passport is invalid, they simply won't be allowed in. I wouldn't be surprised if citizenship is secretly taken away from us, if it hasn't been already.

Do you remember the fairy tale about the golden fish? Let's imagine Lukashenka is the golden fish. Americans first asked him to release some political prisoners, hinting that they would release them into the open sea, pardon me, they would start building relations. He released them. True, he started stealing passports from those released.

Then they asked him to allow political prisoners to choose whether to stay in Belarus or be expelled abroad. He did – while creating those very conditions for those who remained in Belarus (see above).

Now they asked him to stop the repressions... Well, that's enough playing. The golden fish flicked its tail and disappeared to the bottom.

Tell me, esteemed saviors of people, to what extreme are you ready to go to get people out of colonies? Where is the line you will not cross? What can you offer Lukashenka to make him stop torturing people – in small prisons and in the large one? What sacrifices are you ready to make?

And let's change the angle and look at your principled position a little differently. Doesn't it seem to you that by making concessions – and otherwise, you won't reach an agreement with Lukashenka to release people – you devalue their actions, their choice, their sacrifice? That is, they spent all this time in prisons only to return now to the starting point – what we protested against in 2020. Haven't you thought about this?

On social media, people are puzzled: how is it that former political prisoners themselves advocate for pressure on the regime and are not eager to free the others? Strange, isn't it? Someone is indignant: 'Oh, they are free themselves, and they don't care about others.' Think about it: Ales Bialiatski, who has immense experience of repression from the regime, advocates for an uncompromising strengthening of sanctions. Surely, this is not without reason.

P.S. Maria Kalesnikava spoke today at the official opening of the world-renowned music festival in Salzburg. She delivered a very beautiful speech about the necessity of talking to each other, and especially being able to listen, to understand one another, "building bridges, not erecting new walls," stating that "dialogue is not a sign of weakness, but an expression of strength."

Maria also spoke about how culture helps us preserve internal freedom. These are wonderful words, and I also believe in this. Therefore, I have a request: if for some reason I am imprisoned again (well, anything can happen in this world!), please do not try to get me out by making a deal with the regime. I also want to preserve my internal freedom, and that will be my choice.

• 49
• 5
• 1
• 2
• 0
• 2
• 0
• 2