The head of the BNR Rada: the West needs Belarus as much as Ukraine
On March 25, Belarusians celebrate Freedom Day – the anniversary of the declaration of independence of the Belarusian People’s Republic (BPR). Official authorities in Belarus do not recognize the date and often “mark” it with arrests of activists. The BPR was proclaimed 105 years ago – in 1918 – by an elected council at the Belarusian Congress in Minsk. Later the board was renamed to BNR Rada. As an independent state, the BNR existed until 1919, after which the provisional parliament, which became the Rada of the BNR, and the government it formed were forced to emigrate and still exist in exile.
Today, the Rada of the People’s Republic of Belarus includes 80 representatives of the Belarusian emigration from 15 countries. For a quarter of a century it has been headed by Ivonka Survila, from Canada. On the eve of Freedom Day, she told DW how the BPR government is working now, how she feels about Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and what Belarusians should learn from the French.
DW: What is BNR Rada doing now?
Yvonka Survila: We inform about Belarus, we take part in the life of Belarusians in the world. We have contacts with the governments of the countries where we live. We worked hard to introduce Belarus to the world, because for a long time, in fact, until 2020, the world could not understand that Belarus has nothing in common with Russia.
Now there is still a lot of work to be done – to prove that the Belarusian people do not participate and do not want to participate in the war against Ukraine.
We are not enemies of Ukraine. A terrible dictator appeared above us, who dragged us into this war. I think every Belarusian is very angry with him for this.
Attitude towards Svetlana Tikhanovskaya
How do you feel about the new Belarusian opposition, in particular, against Svetlana Tikhanovskaya?
Svetlana came to Ottawa four months ago, it was a very pleasant meeting, the Belarusians received her with great hospitality, with great joy and respect. She is doing the job that needs to be done: informing the world about what is happening in Belarus and about our attitude towards the war with Ukraine. I am grateful to her. It has more opportunities than us, because it built its structure on the basis of our 2020 revolution, when the world saw that Belarus exists and wants to be independent.
We work to achieve the same goals. Tikhanovskaya is actually the elected president of the future Belarusian state without Lukashenka. I hope she waits until then. We are the successors of the first government of free Belarus, which declared its independence in 1918.
From a legal point of view, we are now more legitimate, because Svetlana is an elected president: an elected president, but not an approved one. We continue the work of the approved BNR government. We have long-standing relationships with many countries, governments and Belarusians abroad. Every day of the 25 years that I headed the Rada, I did something for Belarus.
Conflicts often arise in the Belarusian opposition. How can Belarusians come to mutual understanding?
I completely agree with Ales Byalyatsky, who talks about public dialogue. What do we need? Learn to talk to each other. And learn, if there are any problems, if there are problems in Belarus, to forget about disagreements, to work together, as many free countries in the West do. Recently, I recalled the elections in France, when Chirac fought against Le Pen (the French presidential elections of 2002, in the second round of which Jacques Chirac and the leader of the National Front Jean-Marie Le Pen came out. – Red.). 80% of the French voted for Chirac. Why? Because they were against the harm that Le Pen could do. At that time, all parties were fighting for Chirac. This is the great meaning of national dignity, respect and strength.
The role of Belarusians in the war with Ukraine
Repression in Belarus does not stop, the country has become an accomplice in the war. What do you see as a way out of this situation?
The situation can change quickly, or it can last for a long time, for this you need patience, faith in the future. First of all, I would put Belarusians to know and believe that this will end, that this will not last forever. For our part, those who can do something with other countries must assure all politicians that Belarus cannot be traded, that the West and the world need Belarus as well as Ukraine.
And, if necessary, protect us, as they protect Ukraine. This is a very important issue, I would like all Belarusians to remember this and use every opportunity to talk about it.
How we will change the situation will certainly depend on the war in Ukraine, as well as on the relations of the Belarusian people with other countries. If they (other states. – Ed.) will see what they saw in 2020, that independence and a free Belarus are on the agenda of Belarusians, I think they will help us.
Which principles of the BNR founders are still relevant today?
The founders of the People’s Republic of Belarus announced the creation of an independent state. The Second Charter says what kind of social system we want to have in Belarus – it is a modern, democratic, independent state, which they believed in then and which I firmly believe now.
Source: DW
Anna White is a journalist at 247 News Reel, where she writes on world news and current events. She is known for her insightful analysis and compelling storytelling. Anna’s articles have been widely read and shared, earning her a reputation as a talented and respected journalist. She delivers in-depth and accurate understanding of the world’s most pressing issues.