The Final Statement
‘For the noblest intentions and simply for speaking the truth, people are detained, beaten, imprisoned, and even subjected to torture.’
Since childhood, I was taught to live honestly, not to steal, not to harm anyone, not to be selfish, to tell the truth, and to develop other good qualities in myself. And I tried to live in truth and with the truth. But, unfortunately, in my native Belarus this has now become extremely difficult, even dangerous. For the noblest intentions and actions, and simply for speaking the truth, people are detained, beaten, imprisoned, and even subjected to torture. Everything has been turned upside down: those who lie, deceive, intimidate others, slander them, and simply mindlessly carry out criminal orders are precisely the people who hold high positions and enjoy great respect. And anyone who disagrees with such an order of things ends up behind bars.
The most frightening thing about this is that Belarus has become a territory of universal irresponsibility. Everyone tries to shed any responsibility and get as far away from the pangs of conscience as possible. To justify their actions, people like to point upwards or utter the famous phrase, ‘Well, you know how it is…’ Unfortunately, this approach prevails at every level of our state.
But I do not understand this! And, thank God, there are people who not only do not understand it, but are increasingly trying to change the situation for the better. More and more people no longer want to continue this self-deception, tolerate lies, allow crimes, and destroy the future of their homeland.
I have not deceived anyone, stolen anything, raped anyone, killed anyone, and certainly have not engaged in any destructive or extremist activity. On the contrary, throughout my entire conscious life, I have made every effort to ensure that our homeland lives better and more civilised, and that people understand the problems that exist, discuss them sincerely, and solve them.
From the very beginning of the criminal case against me, I have witnessed relentless attempts to discredit independent journalism and, in particular, my name. I am constantly portrayed as a criminal, a scoundrel, an enemy of the state and society, Judas, Casanova, and Osama bin Laden all at once. The approach here is purely formal, because no one investigates whether my actions actually caused any harm to the state. No one proves that this is extremism, that all of this is a lie and contains not a drop of truth. I am shown reports about how the Belarusian ruble is improving its position and strengthening, videos from traditional folk celebrations, and sincere accounts of what is happening in Belarus. If all of this is extremism, then our society is seriously ill. After all, telling the truth is neither extremism nor a crime.
It is only through the truth that problems and mistakes in the development of the state can be identified in a timely manner. Therefore, independent journalists who cover events promptly and comprehensively and draw attention to problems that need to be addressed are by no means enemies of the government. On the contrary, they are the people who help it accomplish its tasks more effectively.
But instead of sincere dialogue, our government silences everyone who disagrees with it and puts such people in prison. It is especially sad to observe this atmosphere of fear and mutual distrust that now prevails among us, all the more so because we already lived for decades under lies during the Soviet era. And, as we know, that did not end well for us. The authorities deliberately create an atmosphere of fear, discord, mutual distrust, and double or even triple thinking, in which the truth is suppressed and people are taught from childhood not to say aloud what they really think.
I am a sincere patriot of my country, Belarus, and my conscience is clear. I have worked and always done everything I could to make my homeland a better place. But now they intend to deprive me of this opportunity and lock me away for many, many years. And this fate now awaits not only me, but thousands of honest Belarusians. At the same time, I do not understand what they hope to achieve by this other than keeping the regime in power in Belarus. What benefit does the state derive from senseless and shameful repression? Belarusian prisons do not reform anyone; on the contrary, they destroy people.
The authoritarian dictatorship will be replaced by an era of political choice, pluralism of opinions, and genuine rule of law. Those guilty of crimes, regardless of which agencies or branches of government they serve in, will be punished. But the greatest punishment for them will be the shameful memory of them.
At the same time, to change the situation for the better, all we need to do is stop living in lies and stop running away from reality. It is so simple: do not lie, do not persecute, do not imprison innocent people, do not be passive, but be active. We need to engage in honest dialogue with those who see things differently, rather than beating them and imprisoning thousands of them. And above all, we must not punish independent journalism and its representatives for their honest work.
Your Honourable Court! This is by no means my final statement. This is merely my closing speech in this court in this particular criminal case. There will be many more speeches in my life–before a much larger audience. As for the final statement–the final statement will belong to the truth and to those who spread it!
May 30, 2023.
Gomel Regional Court, Gomel, Belarus.
Source: Homel Today.
For more information: Viasna Human Rights Centre.
Photo: Viasna Human Rights Centre.