We, the citizens of the Republic of Belarus declare that the actions of today's authorities are aimed at elimination of inalienable human rights and freedoms. The Constitution -the basic law of the country - has been violated. The Belarusian people is denied the right to elect its representatives to offices. There are systematic attacks against freedom of speech, against the right of citizens to know the real state of affairs in the country. National culture and school are being destroyed, the Belarusian language is being ousted. Hundreds of thousands of families are on the brink of survival due to the daily rise in prices and miserable salaries. On the eve of the 21 century a dictatorship has been established in the center of Europe. 10 million people have found themselves in the grip of despotism.

We believe that our homeland is worthy of freedom and prosperity. We are convinced that these goals can be achieved through our joint efforts. We are inspired by the example of free peoples that have chosen this way before us. We remember the group of courageous Czech and Slovak human rights activists that signed "Charter 77" declaring struggle against totalitarism in their country. Several years later Eastern Europe got rid of the red dictatorship. The peoples of these countries gained the possibility to develop freely and to work for their well-being.

We cannot reconcile ourselves to despotism, violation of laws, crimes against the people and individuals. We will be in solidarity with everyone who fights for one's rights, seeks freedom and well-being for oneself and one's family.

We are of different political views and faiths but we are united by the love of freedom and our homeland. The basis of our readiness for joint actions to liberate Belarusian people will be respect to the views and faiths of each other. Our solidarity will overcome violence and shameless lies. All who have chosen to fight for human dignity and rights shall be confident in common support.

We count on the understanding of international community and solidarity of all forces that are aware of the danger of the emergence of a new brown empire in the post-Soviet space. The thorn of totalitarism must be removed from the body of Europe.

We, the citizens of Belarus declare today our responsibility for the destiny of the country, for the future of our children. We will make Belarus a free, sovereign and prosperous European country, where human rights are protected, where there are no political prisoners and everyone can live in dignity.

We call upon all citizens of Belarus to join our Charter in order to fight together for our rights and freedoms, to restore democracy and rule of law in our country.

1. What does the word “CHARTER 97” mean?

2. Who was the founder of CHARTER 97?

3. Why is it necessary to collect signatures under the text of the CHARTER 97?

4. What else except collecting signatures can be done within CHARTER 97?

5. Who and how coordinates the work of CHARTER 97?

6. How can one get in touch with us?

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1. What does the word “CHARTER 97” mean?

Originally, “ CHARTER” is a Greek word that means “a deed”, “a written document”. However, usually the word is used in its figurative meaning – “rights, privileges”. The world history knows a couple of well-known documents called Charters. All of them were made up by nations fighting for their rights : political, economic, social and civil. Such fights have always been successful.

The most famous Charters are as follows:

The Great Charter of Liberty (1215, England) – was the very first Charter to proclaim rights and freedoms that could be violated by no king or state.

People’s Charter (1838, England) – the first workers’ program that defined major rights of the working class and laid the foundation of the labor movement.

Charter-77 (1977, Czechoslovakia) – the declaration which brought up the ways of fighting dictatorships as well as bringing back freedom and justice not only for Czechoslovakia but for the other East-European countries as well. Two thousand brave Czechs and Slovaks signed the text of the Charter.

Paris Charter for the new Europe (1990, adopted by the European Counsel of Security and Cooperation) – declared that the only way to ensure further economic development in Europe was by observing human rights and achieving prosperity through economic freedom and law-abidance. Belarus was among the countries, which signed that document. However, all these human values are bitterly violated in Belarus of today.

CHARTER 97 (1997, Belarus) – the official document that described the principles, which can be signed by any person, who considers freedom and independence of his Motherland, alongside with people’s rights and justice, to be of great value. CHARTER 97 is a document, which has formulated values and principles that are shared and clear to everyone. The CHARTER 97 is a moral Constitution. When a person puts his signature under its text – he, on his own will, agrees to live up to it. Signing the CHARTER 97 does not mean you join some political party or any other organization. But it means that you join the ranks of those people who believe in good and justice. CHARTER 97 – is a civil initiative aimed at bringing people’s minds closer together. Every person who signs the CHARTER 97 decides on his own what he can do for the values and principles of CHARTER 97 to become reality.

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2. Who was the founder of CHARTER 97?

The text of the CHARTER 97 has united only those ideas that are clear and shared by many Belarusians. Once journalist Zmitser Bandarenka said, that anyone can put his signature under the requirement of better life, freedom and independence for Belarus – even political opponents. The first to hear the call to action were journalists, who had heard him saying that. That is exactly how the text of the Charter appeared. First, it was signed by one hundred most distinguished and respected Belarusians.

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3. Why is it necessary to collect signatures under the text of the CHARTER 97?

The thing is that every new signature under CHARTER 97 means that the number of those who wish to see Belarus free and independent is growing. Every new signature says that we have found one more friend, that we get stronger, that there are fewer indifferent people in Belarus. The more people join the CHARTER 97 the safer they feel. If your husband or son have already signed the CHARTER 97 and you worry about them – just sign it yourself and you will be much safer together. Tyrannies can get a person killed or sent to jail but when it comes to dozens and hundreds thousand men – nobody can get rid of all of them. When a person having signed the CHARTER 97 is the only such person in his village or plant, the authorities can suppress him, but if the whole village or plant do that – their opinion carries much weight with the authorities.

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4. What else except collecting signatures can be done within CHARTER 97?

We can proclaim the ideas of freedom, independence, respect for human rights in Belarus. We should take care of others and not be indifferent to their sufferings or humiliation. Today you help someone to assert his rights – tomorrow others will help you. CHARTER 97 has been already rendering psychological, financial and legal assistance to political prisoners and victims of the regime. CHARTER 97 informs the world community about the situation in Belarus, human rights violations, the formation of the civil society. The major principle of the Charter’s work is – “unity in action”. For this reason, cooperation between different democratic parties, public organizations and trade unions is strongly emphasized.

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5. Who and how coordinates the work of CHARTER 97?

There are no leaders in the CHARTER 97. There is a group of activists, which includes journalists, artists, politicians, and representatives of human rights organizations. Today they are collecting signatures and informing Belarusian and world communities. There have also been set up working groups: on human rights protection, on international contacts and a press center.

The Charter press center sends its press releases to international human rights and non-governmental organizations, mass media, embassy accredited in Minsk and the Charter’s international partners to inform the Belarusian and world communities on the human rights issue and the political situation in the country. The press center monthly published a bulletin that is also one of the information sources on the situation in Belarus and Charter activities. Inside Belarus, the bulletin as well as leaflets are distributed during demonstrations and pickets.

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6. How can one get in touch with us?

E-Mail: charter@charter97.org

International Co-ordinator: Andrei Sannikov

Press-secretary: Oleg Bebenin






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