Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, leader of the Belarusian opposition, has compared the atrocities of the Belarusian regime with Moscow’s attempt to seize power in Vilnius in January 1991 that left 14 people dead.
"The regime may think that by crushing us with their repression machines they may crush our spirit of freedom and dignity. It did not happen to Lithuania, and it will not happen to Belarus,” Tikhanovskaya said on Wednesday.
As Lithuania commemorated the 30-year anniversary of the January 1991 Soviet crackdown in Vilnius, Tikhanovskaya received the Lithuanian parliament’s annual Freedom Prize on behalf of the Belarusian opposition.
"On this day 30 years ago, a young woman came to the Vilnius TV Tower. Together with thousands of Lithuanians, she came there to peacefully defend the freedom of her country,“ she said.
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“Several hours after she was crushed to death by a Soviet tank. Her name among the names of 13 other heroes will never be forgotten in Lithuania," said Tikhanovskaya.
"Same as Loreta Asanavičiūtė, this year Belarusians appeared in the streets to define the future of their country. And unfortunately, same as Loreta, some of them were also killed for this peaceful desire," she said.
The opposition leader thanked the Seimas for the Freedom Prize which it said "belongs to all Belarusians who peacefully fight against violence and lawlessness".
"It is a big honour, but also a reminder for all of us. That we need to stay focused and united. And we will win," she said.
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Paulė Kuzmickienė, chairwoman of the parliamentary Freedom Prize Commission, said the prize was awarded "to all Belarusians fighting for democracy and freedom”.
"The Freedom Prize is awarded to political prisoners and protesters injured or murdered by the Lukashenko regime," she said.
Tikhanovskaya, who was forced to flee to Vilnius following the August 9, 2020 presidential election in Belarus, thanked Lithuania for its support in the fight for freedom.
"It’s important to know that we’re not alone in our fight for democracy," she said. "We’ve felt Lithuania’s neighbouring shoulder for centuries. But today we are thankful for its support as never before because a friend in need is a friend indeed. And today on behalf of all Belarusians I would like to thank you for that.
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"Dzyakuy [thank you] to all Lithuanian citizens for your incredible solidarity with us. All Belarusians remember the beautiful image of thousands of you standing in a chain of friendship from Vilnius to the border on the 31st Anniversary of the Baltic Way. You inspire and give us hope."
The traditional commemoration of the January 13 events in the parliament and the Freedom Prize award ceremony were held online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more: People in Lithuania form human chain from Vilnius to Belarusian border
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