The Video Appeal of Belarusian Scientists (also known as the âÂÂWhy Are We Silent?â campaign) is a collective public action in the form of a video statement initiated by the analytical group âÂÂScientific Opinionâ and published on the Telegram channel âÂÂScientific Opinionâ on October 23, 2020. In this appeal, Belarusian scientist - 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. The action became one of the few examples of collective expression by the Belarusian scientific community during the political crisis.
The video featured a diverse group of scholars, including academicians, doctors, and candidates of science, as well as masterâÂÂs degree holders in various disciplines. Notable participants included:
The video, with a total duration of 4 minutes and 32 seconds, featured scholars speaking in both Belarusian and Russian.
The scholars took turns speaking, condemning state violence in all its forms and emphasizing the importance of dialogue for resolving the countryâÂÂs 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.
Many participants in the video appeal faced professional repercussions for their public stance, including dismissals, administrative and criminal prosecution. 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), Andrei Bakhanau (Researcher at the Institute of Sociology), Siarhei Haranin (Deputy Director for Research at the Yakub Kolas Institute of Linguistics), Ilya Karuseichyk (PhD student at the Center for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information), geneticists Ksenia Pantelei and Marina Bahdanava, historian Vadzim Aniparkou and others.