Belarus’ opposition leader urges democratic countries to stand up to dictators

November 10, BPN. Democratic countries “must show their teeth” to dictators, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja told participants at the Reykjavik Global Forum – Women Leaders, taking place on November 8-10 in Iceland.

“Our fight is a global one. We can’t win alone,” she noted. “Democracy wins when we stand together and confront tyranny, no matter where it appears. If we allow dictators to terrorize their peoples, they will go on to threaten their neighbors and the whole world.”

No democracy can be stable without the full participation of women, Cichanoŭskaja said. “In 2020, when the Belarusian dictator stated that the Constitution does not allow for women, he actually inspired thousands of Belarusian women to lead spontaneous and peaceful marches against him.” 

The politician stressed that women in Belarus remain unbound.