The Vilnius municipality and the city's Historical Memory Commission should consider the possibility of establishing a square in the capital to commemorate the victims of Alexander Lukashenko's regime, the social democrats of the capital suggest, noting that so far there is no such legally functioning place.
"It has become common for people to gather at the Belarusian embassy when celebrating important dates for the Belarusian opposition or a regular attack by the Lukashenka regime against the opposition. It is a very good symbolic place that allows people to express their position and remind themselves directly to the regime. However, the problem is that this place is not legalized in any way and from a formal point of view - people have to pay their respects to oppositionists who have shown and are showing great courage right on the sidewalk. We believe that people who have shown great courage, their health or even their lives for the freedom of Belarus, deserve more," Povilas Pinelis, elder of the Social Democratic faction in the Vilnius Council, is quoted in the report.
According to the proposal of the Social Democrats, a square in memory of the victims of Lukashenka's regime could be created in the central part of the city, where it would be clearly visible to Vilnius residents and guests of the capital. In their opinion, the square should not only be given the symbolic name of "Belarusian road to freedom", but also a sign could appear, reminding people who suffered or died from A. Lukashenka's regime.
"Many Belarusian opposition representatives, political and non-governmental organizations received shelter and help in Vilnius, who are grateful for the reception and help. It would be really important for this large community to have a legalized place in the capital, which would give meaning to their difficult but very necessary struggle for freedom in Belarus", said Natalija Yartseva, chairperson of the Commission of Social Democratic National Communities.
