Andrei Sannikov: The Key Change May Happen in 2020

A protester will always remain the Person of the Year in Belarus.

This was stated by the leader of the European Belarus civil campaign Andrei Sannikov while summing up the results of 2019 in an interview with Charter97.org.

- Let's start with the context: what events in the world, in your opinion, have had the greatest impact on Belarus in 2019?

- I would point out two events that may affect Belarus soon. They are both related to the elections.

The first one is the presidential elections in Ukraine and elections to the European Parliament. Many things depend on the position of the new Ukrainian authorities. If they want to protect their borders and have Belarus as an ally, not a Kremlin bridgehead, they need to abandon the "business-with-the-dictator" policy line and try to finally take on the role of a democratic regional leader. The appearance of analytical material with a real portrait of the dictator in the Ukrainian press can be considered an encouraging signal.

The second is the elections to the European Parliament. They made up a unique situation there. For the first time, delegations on relations with Belarus, Ukraine and Russia are headed by Polish politicians Robert Biedroń, Witold Waszczykowski and Ryszard Czarnecki respectively. It may stimulate the EU to adopt a common strategy for the region, not for particular countries, based on values, rather than on naive calculations to negotiate with dictators. This is a great responsibility, but Polish politicians who know their eastern neighbours well can offer a more realistic approach for the key countries of the region, even replacing the inadequate Eastern Partnership.

Support for democracy in Belarus by the European Union and Ukraine is an important factor for changes in our country.

- Which of the developments in Belarus do you consider most significant and important for our country?

- I would like to note that the entire autumn passed under our national symbols. Opposition rallies and pickets held by European Belarus and other BNC participants under the national flags attracted people's attention and demonstrated that there are leaders and young people in Belarus who are not afraid to resist.

The reburial of the remains of Kastus Kalinowski and his fellow rebels in Vilnius was the key event for Belarus. It was held at the state level, with due honours. In Vilnius, we saw the image of the country Belarus should and will be. All of Vilnius in those days was flooded with our flags. In Vilnius, citizens of Belarus felt free, worthy of their history and their homeland. It is also symbolic that presidents paid tribute to the memory of the heroes together with us. Legally elected Presidents of Lithuania and Poland.

And finally, the latest rallies in support of independence were also held under our national symbols.

This increased civic activity, the willingness of people to fight for freedom are very important.

- Can we call the sensational confessions of Yuri Garavsky, the former SWAT fighter, about his participation in "firing squads" an event of the year?

- I would call it a symbolic event which is important for all of us. Garavsky's confessions reminded us of the terrible crimes of the regime. We have no right to remain silent or avoid this tragedy. Also, his confessions and the professional journalistic work of Deutsche Welle give hope for the international investigation of political murders in Belarus. There is a legal basis for this: the report made in 2004 by Christos Pourgourides to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on disappeared people in Belarus and the relevant PACE resolution. These documents can be considered investigative documents.

- Who, in your opinion, can be called the person of the year?

- There are a lot of such people in different spheres. We have many worthy, outstanding, talented people in culture, science, sports... However, as long as this regime exists, the person of the year is a one protesting against this desolate power. Today I would like to point out those who spend these festive days behind bars. These are Jauhen Afnahel, Maksim Viniarski, Leanid Kulakou, Pavel Seviarynets, Ales Chekholski, Alena Talstaya and others. I bow down before them and all those who join protests in the streets and squares of Belarus.

- What is your personal "discovery"? What conclusions have you made?

- The outgoing year has strengthened my faith that we are on the right side. It has probably been the most unmasking for the authorities. The actions of Lukashenka and his entourage were so inadequate that even official media stopped hiding the evolving madness of their master. The ruler who disgraces the country and its citizens so much has no support among people.

The campaign held by BNC activists, particularly European Belarus, proved it during the so-called "parliamentary elections". It was a campaign of boycott and disclosure of the regime. To a certain extent, the situation of 2010 reoccurred: people willingly supported the opposition and did not hide their hatred for the regime.

- What was more inspiring to you in 2019?

- It was Kastus Kalinowski's commemoration days in Vilnius. 2019 was especially replete with meetings with wonderful people, protest leaders in Venezuela, Hong Kong, leaders of resistance of Tibetans, Uighurs, Cubans... Some of them feel even worse, but they believe that people need this struggle and tyranny will be defeated.

- Some of the events that took place at the turn of 2019 and 2020 will form an information agenda even after the New Year holidays. What can you say about the secret talks between Putin and Lukashenka and rallies for Belarus' independence?

- First of all, one should understand that the negotiations on the fate of Belarus are conducted by two illegitimate rulers involved in murder and war crimes. These behind-the-scene talks will determine the information agenda for next year but will have no impact on the legal basis of Belarus' independence. In other words, the Kremlin may try to occupy us with Lukashenka's help, but it will not be able to conquer Belarus and achieve international recognition of its occupation.

The visit of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Minsk may also be an important event. This is the second visit of such level to independent Belarus. The first visit was made by James Baker in December 1991. This visit is undoubtedly related to the U.S. concern regarding security issues in the region and Russia's aggressive policy. I hope the Secretary of State understands well that Lukashenka's regime is a threat to regional security, not a factor of stability, as propaganda claims.

- What is your forecast for 2020? How will the major events develop and what changes can happen in Belarus?

- Everyone expects the major change, and it can happen in 2020. Hatred for the regime is the emotional state of society in Belarus today. It will inevitably lead to protests and may result in the cherished changes.

- What would you like to wish the Belarusians?

- I don't like when people play on repeat: "Every nation deserves its ruler". I believe this phrase may end like this: "Every nation deserves its ruler if it chooses him".

We need to get the elections back at all levels. This is increasingly needed because the illegitimate ruler in power poses a significant threat to our independence.

The year 2020 will be the year when the problems accumulated in Belarus due to the wrong regime - political, economic, social - will aggravate and demand their solution. This provides opportunities to liberate Belarus from the shameful dictatorship, to restore fair elections, to protect its independence.

I wish you determination, solidarity, responsibility.

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