Racism must be fought here and now! Results of the Week against Racism in Belarus - 2015

From 14 to 22 March, Belarusian human rights defenders held a series of actions and activities within the European Week Against Racism.

Young activists have prepared:

-          three videos on the topic of racism featuring Belarusian intellectuals, including historian Uladzimir Valodzin, PhD in Sociology and Coordinator of the Flying University Tatsiana Vadalazhskaya, philosopher, a program manager in the European College of Liberal Arts in Belarus Volha Shparaha.

-          a public lecture on March 17 by PhD, associate professor, chairman of the Center for the Study of Contemporary Religiosity Natallia Kutuzava entitled “Racism and Ethnic Discrimination in Belarus”.

-          screening on March 21 of Leijonasydän movie. Together with 40 participants, we sought answers to the questions: What is the origin of modern racism? Can people radically change their views and ideology? What can help do this? Is it important to organize anti-racism events and activities?

In addition, the activists posted their photos on Facebook.

“The modern world is rolling God knows where: people kill each other just because they look different and think different. How can we ignore this? I am very happy that there are people who free of stereotypes and racial manipulation, ready to remind the rest of the problem. In this regard, United makes a fundamentally important thing. Reminding about the problem is the first step to solving it. We were told in the comments on Facebook that the topic of racism is not relevant for Belarus. But what I see is totally different: I can see the prosperity of “kitchen racism”, see the operation of RNE’s website, beating of migrants, Romaphobia, anti-Semitism. And these things must be fought here and now,” says one of the organizers of the Week Nasta Loika.

The UNITED network organizes and coordinates a pan-European Week Against Racism and encourages the international community to put an end to racism, discrimination and intolerance: “We urge NGOs, community organisations, schools, local councils and all manner of groups and individuals to join forces and confront racism with direct action. Whether by organising activities, supporting others, or spreading the message we encourage ourselves and others to stand hand in hand for diversity.” March 21 was announced the UN International Day against Racism.

#‎ARW, #‎ARWby, ‪#‎StopRacism, ‪#‎СтопРасизм