10th anniversary of Charter'97

Charter'97 was announced in Belarus on 10 November 1997. The initiative was launched journalists of the independent media. The text of Charter'97 was published in the leading independent newspapers: "Imia," "BDG," "Narodnaya Volia," "Svaboda," "Svobodnye Novosti" and many others.

Andrei Sannikov, Aliaksandar Milinkevich, Uladzimir Matskievich, Viktar Ivashkevich, Ludzmila Graznova, Piotar Martsau, Yury Khaschavatski and other well-known Belarusians have been members of the organization committee of Charter'97. 100 famous Belarusian politicians, public and cultural figures, journalists were the first to sign the text of Charter'97. Afterwards, more than 100 000 citizens of the republic of Belarus have signed the paper. The civil initiative Charter'97 was targeted at unifying Belarus' democratic forces and stimulating the civil society to protect the rights and freedoms of Belarusians.

We, the citizens of the Republic of Belarus declare that the actions of today's authorities are aimed at elimination of inalienable human rights and freedoms. The Constitution -the basic law of the country - has been violated. The Belarusian people is denied the right to elect its representatives to offices. There are systematic attacks against freedom of speech, against the right of citizens to know the real state of affairs in the country. National culture and school are being destroyed, the Belarusian language is being ousted. Hundreds of thousands of families are on the brink of survival due to the daily rise in prices and miserable salaries. On the eve of the 21 century a dictatorship has been established in the center of Europe. 10 million people have found themselves in the grip of despotism.

We believe that our homeland is worthy of freedom and prosperity. We are convinced that these goals can be achieved through our joint efforts. We are inspired by the example of free peoples that have chosen this way before us. We remember the group of courageous Czech and Slovak human rights activists that signed "Charter 77" declaring struggle against totalitarism in their country. Several years later Eastern Europe got rid of the red dictatorship. The peoples of these countries gained the possibility to develop freely and to work for their well-being.

We cannot reconcile ourselves to despotism, violation of laws, crimes against the people and individuals. We will be in solidarity with everyone who fights for one's rights, seeks freedom and well-being for oneself and one's family.

We are of different political views and faiths but we are united by the love of freedom and our homeland. The basis of our readiness for joint actions to liberate Belarusian people will be respect to the views and faiths of each other. Our solidarity will overcome violence and shameless lies. All who have chosen to fight for human dignity and rights shall be confident in common support.

We count on the understanding of international community and solidarity of all forces that are aware of the danger of the emergence of a new brown empire in the post-Soviet space. The thorn of totalitarism must be removed from the body of Europe.

We, the citizens of Belarus declare today our responsibility for the destiny of the country, for the future of our children. We will make Belarus a free, sovereign and prosperous European country, where human rights are protected, where there are no political prisoners and everyone can live in dignity.

We call upon all citizens of Belarus to join our Charter in order to fight together for our rights and freedoms, to restore democracy and rule of law in our country.

LONG LIVE FREE BELARUS!

Adamovich Slavomir

Andreev Victor

Belyatsky Ales

Bobkov Igor

Bogdankevich Stanislav

Bondarenko Dmitry

Borodach Vladimir

Borodulin Rygor

Borshchevsky Lyavon

Bukchin Semyon

Buravkin Guennady

Bukhvostov Alexander

Bykov Vasil

Bykov Guennady

Vasilkov Vitaly

Vashkevich Alexander

Vilman Victor

Volkov Vladimir

Volsky Lyavon

Vyachorka Vintsuk

Gavin Tadeush

Guilevich Nil

Golubev Valentin

Gonchar Victor

Grib Mechislav

Gritskevich Anatoly

Skochko Yevgueny

Sosnov Alexander

Statkevich Nikolai

Taras Valentin

Tikhinya Valery

Tregubovich Valentina

Trusov Oleg

Tychina Mikhas

Fadeev Valery

Grushevoy Guennady

Gryaznova Ludmila

Gusak Stanislav

Daneiko Pavel

Dashuk Victor

Dobrovolsky Alexander

Domash Semyon

Drebezova Galina

Dudareva Nadezhda

Yelfimov Victor

Zhelyapov Christofor

Zhuk Pavel

Zhurakovsky Valery

Zakharenko Yuri

Znavets Pavel

Ivashkevich Victor

Ipatova Olga

Kamotskaya Kasya

Karavaichik Ivan

Karnazytsky Pavel

Karpenko Guennady

Katsora Vladimir

Kobasa Miroslav

Kozlovsky Pavel

Korneenko Victor

Korol Alexei

Fridland Mikhail

Khalezin Nikolai

Khalip Vladimir

Khashchevatsky Yuri

Khodyko Yuri

Chernov Victor

Chigir Mikhail

Shalkevich Victor

Sharetsky Semyon

Korotkevich Olga

Kostka Valery

Lavrovskaya Irina

Lebedko Anatoly

Litvina Zhanna

Marinich Mikhail

Markevich Nikolai

Marochkin Ales

Martselev Serguei

Matskevich Vladimir

Milinkevich Alexander

Mindlin Leonid

Mitskevich Maria

Nistyuk Vladimir

Ogurtsov Yevgueny

Ostrovsky Ales

Pastukhov Mikhail

Pogonyailo Garry

Potupa Alexander

Protko Tatyana

Rovdo Vladimir

Saverchenko Ivan

Sannikov Andrei

Severinets Pavel

Sivukha Valery

Sivchik Vyacheslav

Shaternik Alexander

Sheremet Pavel

Sherman Carlos

Shlyndikov Vassily

Shushkevich Stanislav

Shchukin Valery

Yurina Galina

Yakovlevsky Roman