For the seventh year running, the Young European Federalists are organising a pan-European street action on 18 March 2012 to protest against and raise awareness about the last remaining dictatorship on the European continent. Ever since coming to the power in 1994 the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, oppressed the freedom of his people and ignored their voices. JEF believes that a united Europe can be achieved only if all people in Europe become united in their action and support each other. Freedom is a key foundation of a just and democratic Europe and we as Europeans cannot leave the Belarusian citizens behind! The last presidential elections in Belarus on 19 December 2010 ended in mass detentions of protesters, with leaders of opposition being imprisoned. Numerous protests have shown that the people of Belarus had enough of Lukashenko’s rule. Our moral duty is to support them and help their voices being heard.
With this years’ Free Belarus action we aim to “Speak Up For Democracy In Belarus!” It is time that we, as young Europeans, break the silence which is imposed on the Belarusian citizens and speak up! More than just gagging statues, we now call upon all European citizens to raise their voice!
By collecting the actions’ outcomes from young people in more than 130 cities all over Europe (and the world) we make an important statement that will be heard loud and clear by the EU Institutions and officials, the dictatorial regime and the population in Belarus.
We warmly invite your organisation to take part in the biggest European-wide awareness raising event for democracy in Belarus, and contribute to a united and free Europe! We would be honoured to add your organisation to the list of supporting organisations on our website.
More details on the “Free Belarus” action and how to participate can be found on www.free-belarus.eu and on our Facebook page and event page! Please do not hesitate to forward this invitation to any interested parties!
Register your action here until 15 March 2012! If you want to be listed among our partners for this years’ action, or in case you have any further questions, please to not hesitate to contact Ms. Živa ČERNEC at belarus@jef.eu or on +32 2 512 00 53.