Charter-97 Award on Freedom Day

On March 25 on Freedom Day charter97.org presented Vikrar Ivashkevich's National Prize for Human Rights.

In 2014 former political prisoners Edward Lobau and Vasil Parfenau were the laureates of the National prize in the For Personal Courage category, director Anton Tsialezhnikau and sportsman, world champion Vital Hurkou - in the Courage in Art category.

The prize award ceremony took place in the Belarusian House in Warsaw.

Presenting the award, Natallia Radzina, editor-in-chief of the charter97.org, said:

“The award was instituted by the initiative of Charter-97 in 1998. Within 17 years hundreds of brave Belarusians - activists, politicians, civil right activists, journalists, musicians, painters- fighting for the best future of Belarus have been awarded.

Now our award is named after Viktar Ivashkevich, one of the leaders of the Belarusian Renaissance and who passed away in 2013. Viktar Ivashkevich gave all his life to fight for freedom of Belarus. He was brave, devoted, honest and a person of principle. Today memory about Viktar gives us faith and strength to work on".

Director Anton Tsialezhnikau in his films "Belarusian resistance" (Белорусский резистанс), "Belarus under German occupation" (Беларусь под немецкой оккупацией), "Playing mock battle" (Игра в войнушку), "Cursed and Forgotten" (Проклятые и забытые) reveals Belarusian history's true character. His music videos with a historical retrospective for a known rock band "Дзяцюкі" – "Forest brothers" (Лесные братья) and "Guys-Bałachowcy" – made him a fortune. In Belarus while shooting one of the music videos the director, the entire crew and musicians were arrested.

Ales Marachkin, a legendary Belarusian artist, the Head of the Pahonia Association, presented the prize to the director:

"With his works Anton Tsialezhnikau fights with the current regime in Belarus. I know he won't be recognized by Belarusian government. But Anton does his best - and it is of high priority for Belarus. When I enter my studio I see the same award I was presented by the charte97.org a few years ago and it makes my heart sing. With great pleasure I present this award to Anton. Besides, I have a gift from Minsk: a book "The well in life" (Колодец в жизнь), published by Lohvinau, closed today. Anton, I wish you health and power. We will win!" Ales Marachkin said.

"It's a real pleasure to receive such an award on Freedom Day, especially if it is presented by friends, Anton Tsialezhnikau said. - It's a great moral support that I need for future activity. It is the second time when I get flowers. The first time I received a bouquet when I came out after 15 days in jail during my activity in a legendary youth movement "Zubr".

It means my fight continues, but at a different level, a creative one. It is important for us to continue our fight, the victory is at hand" the last events say.

I wish someday Freedom Day would become a family, but not a street holiday. Street rallies are necessary now, but someday it will be just a family holiday", Anton Tsialezhnikau said.

Mother Maryna Lobava of former political prisoner Edward Lobau was presented the award for him. The activist spent four years behind the bars. Edward was arrested on December 18, 2010 on the eve of the mass protest against fraud presidential elections. He was released only a few months ago.

He could not leave for Warsaw, he is under police supervision. But today he has joined the Freedom Day rally and been detained.

The fate of Edward Lobau shows how it is important today not only to demand the release, but rehabilitation of political prisoners.

Volha Bandarenka, the spouse of the former political prisoner Dzmitry Bandarenka, the leader of "Vyzvalenne" initiative and a person who knows well what a fight for a native person means, presented on behalf of charter97.org the prize of Edward Lobau to his mother.

"Lest I should cry. Maryna and I were through much together. She did so much and supported my son. We together knocked on all doors: visited Embassies, wrote letters, organized exhibitions, made up parcels to prison... Today we finally have met and Edward is free now. And on this holiday...

Edward has always wanted to become a soldier, he served in Special Forces as well as my husband. But he realizes if he had been in the present Belarusian army, he would have had to serve the regime and the dictator. But he took his own way and became a fighter. I am doubly pleased to present the award to Edward, Volha Bandarenka said.

Maryna Lobava, in her turn, noted:

"I want to congratulate everyone on our holiday, the Freedom Day and I'd like to thank you on behalf of my son for the prize presented on such an important day. He is grateful for so high assessment of his modest contribution to struggle for freedom in Belarus. I wish next year this award would be presented in Minsk, free and independent. And our free Belarus would have its free symbols - our national emblem, our flag and anthem".

Artist Ales Marachkin presented his book to Maryna Lobava, and noted:

I agree with these words and give the book to Edward, here is a poem "Okrestina". I believe those who have not been behind bars are not fighters!"

Natallia Radzina also told about two other laureates - Vitaly Hurkou, amateur Muay Thai world champion, and former political prisoner Vasil Parfiankou. Hurkou is now at a sporting event, and Parfiankou is in Ukraine. The award will be presented in the near future.

Andrei Sannikau, the leader of the civil campaign "European Belarus", a former political prisoner and the candidate for the presidency in 2010, was at the ceremony:

"Zhyve Belarus! ("Long live Belarus!") The prize of the Charters-97 is for the first time presented on our national holiday, on the Independence Day. I think this is a good sign. I would like to congratulate all the winners, I know them personally, except for Edward. I'm glad to see his mother here and congratulate him on his release.

I would like to say about Vasil Parfiankou: he has been just released and joined solidarity rallies. When I was released I met Vasil next to the Red Church (Church of Saints Simon and Helena) during prayers for the release of political prisoners. Of all the laureates, he is now in the most difficult situation because he is in the Donbass and fights for our freedom, freedom of Ukraine, and freedom of all Europe. We wish him good luck.

I'd like to say a few words about Anton Tsialezhnikau. I met him 15 years ago and Iam proud to know him. I am very glad for him because of his dream to be involved in art. Anton, everything, you are working on, is very important for all of us.

It is not a coincidence that three out of four of today's laureats are directly related to what is happening in Ukraine. In fact, it is our common fight for freedom and liberation from the Russian domination. And if you remember what has been said here today, the plan is already clear-to celebrate Charter 97 award in the Palace of the Republic on the national holiday of Freedom Day in Minsk".