Video Appeal of Belarusian Scientists (2020)

The Video Appeal of Belarusian Scientists (also known as the “Why Are We Silent?” campaign) is a collective public action in the form of a video statement initiated by the analytical group “Scientific Opinion” and published on the Telegram channel “Scientific Opinion” on October 23, 2020.[1] In this appeal, Belarusian sсientist - representatives of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, as well as doctors and candidates of sciences in chemistry, physics, biology, philology, history, and sociology - denounced state violence, repression against participants of peaceful protests, violations of academic freedom, and civil rights.[2] The action became one of the few examples of collective expression by the Belarusian scientific community during the political crisis.

Participants

The video featured a diverse group of scholars, including academicians, doctors, and candidates of science, as well as master’s degree holders in various disciplines. Notable participants included:

  • Aleksandr Lukashanets (academician, Doctor of Philology)
  • Ivan Siutsou (Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
  • Larysa Sivitskaya (Candidate of Biological Sciences)
  • Iryna Paribok (Candidate of Chemical Sciences)
  • Andrei Bakhanau (Master of Sociology)
  • Vadzim Aniparkou (Candidate of Historical Sciences)
  • Siarhei Haranin (Candidate of Philology)
  • Marina Kanapelka (Master of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
  • Andrei Piatrouski (Master of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
  • Kanstantsin Livanovich (Master of Chemistry)
  • Marina Ramanenka (Master of Chemistry)
  • Mariya Yasaitė (Master of Biological Sciences)
  • Viktoryia Minkova (Master of Biological Sciences)
  • Viktoryia Bundziukova (Master of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
  • Tatsiana Seviarynchyk (Master of Chemistry)
  • Aliaksandr Naumau (Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
  • Ksenia Pantelei (Master of Biological Sciences)
  • Ilya Karuseichyk (Master of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
  • Marina Bahdanava (Candidate of Biological Sciences)
  • Ksenia Hileuskaya (Candidate of Chemical Sciences)
  • Alena Karaliova (Doctor of Chemical Sciences)
  • Aliaksandr Khartonyk (Master of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
  • Uladzislau Stefanau (Master of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
  • Heorhi Lazaryk (Master of Biological Sciences)

The video, with a total duration of 4 minutes and 32 seconds, featured scholars speaking in both Belarusian and Russian.

Content

The scholars took turns speaking, condemning state violence in all its forms and emphasizing the importance of dialogue for resolving the country’s crisis. They highlighted the harm caused by organized violence to individuals and society, criticizing the normalization of force in conflict resolution and warning of the dangers of a state that systematically uses violence against its citizens. The participants expressed support for the peaceful protests that had been ongoing for months, praised the solidarity of Belarusian citizens, and called for respect for laws, the constitution, and the right to free elections. The video underscored the plight of scientists in Belarus, noting low salaries, the emigration of young talent, and the suppression of academic and intellectual freedoms. Participants condemned the actions of authorities, the targeting of protesters, and the use of propaganda and ideological censorship. They called for the release of all unjustly convicted individuals, an end to dismissals and arrests on political grounds, and the protection of freedom of speech and expression. The appeal concluded with a message of solidarity with all citizens defending civil liberties, morality, and humanism, and an expression of hope for a free and democratic future for Belarus.[1]

Government response and consequences

Many participants in the video appeal faced professional repercussions for their public stance, including dismissals, administrative and criminal prosecution.[3] Among those affected were Aleksandr Lukashanets (Deputy Director of the Center for Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature Research at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus),[4] Andrei Bakhanau (Researcher at the Institute of Sociology),[5] Siarhei Haranin (Deputy Director for Research at the Yakub Kolas Institute of Linguistics),[6] Ilya Karuseichyk (PhD student at the Center for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information),[7] geneticists Ksenia Pantelei and Marina Bahdanava,[8] historian Vadzim Aniparkou[3] and others.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b reform.news (2020-10-23). ""Почему мы молчим?!" Ученые записали обращение против насилия, беззакония и репрессий" ["Why Are We Silent?" Scientists Release Video Appeal Against Violence, Lawlessness, and Repression]. REFORM.news (ранее REFORM.by) (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  2. ^ РАЦЫЯ, РАДЫЁ (2020-10-23). "Група беларускіх навукоўцаў запісала відэазварот у падтрымку перамен" [Group of Belarusian Scientists Record Video Statement in Support of Change]. БЕЛАРУСКАЕ РАДЫЁ РАЦЫЯ (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  3. ^ a b "How Lukashenko repressed Belarusian scientists who advocated new elections". OUR HOUSE. 2021-08-01. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  4. ^ "Будзьма беларусамі! » З Інстытута мовазнаўства звольнены акадэмік Аляксандр Лукашанец" [Academician Aleksandr Lukashanets Dismissed from the Institute of Linguistics]. budzma.org. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  5. ^ "У Нацыянальнай акадэміі навук схапілі магістра сацыялогіі" [Master of Sociology Detained at the National Academy of Sciences]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  6. ^ "Пацвердзілася інфармацыя пра затрыманне выбітнага мовазнаўцы Сяргея Гараніна" [Arrest of Prominent Linguist Siarhei Haranin Confirmed]. Наша Ніва (in Belarusian). 2022-11-06. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  7. ^ ""Похоже, завелись тихари": районный марш рассекретили, двух братьев посадили | Новости Беларуси | euroradio.fm" [District March Exposed, Two Brothers Arrested]. euroradio.fm (in Russian). 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  8. ^ "«Ваши взгляды и подходы нам не нравятся»: увольняют учёных из Института генетики" [Scientists Dismissed from Institute of Genetics for "Unacceptable Views and Approaches"]. ex-press.by (in Russian). 2021-07-06. Archived from the original on 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
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