During a lecture at the University of Warsaw, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that just a few months ago she could not have imagined herself speaking in the name of her entire nation, as she was not as closely engaged with politics.
“I was living my own life, much like many other Belarusians. For many years I had not known what was happening outside of our country. When I did learn, my eyes were opened,” she said.
She stressed that the whole struggle began with her husband who published YouTube videos in which he produced information about the situation in Belarus, including the corruption and injustices inside the nation.
Tsikhanouskaya added that many Belarusians learned that the country’s stability was a myth thanks to his broadcasts.
“Belarusians were humiliated and oppressed by the administration for years. The regime treated all citizens like servants. We did not have a voice and the worst about it all was that no one believed that the situation could be changed,” she said.
The opposition leader declared that her husband, Sergei, “gave Belarusians something the authorities could not – a voice and respect for themselves”.
