The Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century, aware of its own tragic historical experiences that Czech society went through in the 20th century, strongly protests against the violence perpetrated against its own citizens by the ruling power of Belarus and its police forces.
No violence that tramples on fundamental civil and human rights, such as the right to free elections, assembly or freedom of expression, has any place or justification in Europe today or in the future. Europe must unite on the principles of democracy, tolerance and humanism if it is to have any chance of maintaining peace and shared prosperity as a continent. President Lukashenko and his apparatus of power are separating themselves from this Europe and do not belong in it. However, Belarus and its citizens certainly do. It is therefore incumbent on the citizens of the democratic states of Europe to stand by their side now and defend their rights.
Our tragic experiences with communism and fascism should prevent us from asking: who is it that is ringing the bell... Our own history has already taught us several times that even we...
Mgr. Jiří Šesták, Ph.D.
Director of the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century