European Filmmakers’ Appeal to Support Belarus

Monday, 17th August, 2020

Belarus’s peaceful demonstrations in defense of free, unadulterated elections are being bloodily suppressed by the authorities. People are getting killed, and thousands are being arrested, repressed, and imprisoned. Amongst them are our colleagues, including filmmakers and journalists, who are bravely documenting these dramatic events.

We European filmmakers demand from the Belarusian authorities to immediately cease the violence, to respect the freedom of choice of the Belarusian people, and to release at once all detainees. 

We demand to fulfill the wishes of the Belarusian people: the release of all political prisoners; the resignation of president Lukashenko, and the holding of free and fair elections.  

We demand from all European authorities and governments to take decisive action to persuade the Belarusian authorities to implement the above measures, and to support the Belarusian people fighting for human rights.

On the fortieth anniversary of the foundation of the Polish Solidarity movement, which changed the face of Europe and triggered the liberation of the Eastern Bloc from totalitarian regimes, we call on Europe to show solidarity with Belarusians.

Czech Film and Television Academy

Ivo Mathé

President of the Czech Film and Television Academy