To denounce citizenship · 3:56pm May 16th, 2021
Hello, comrades
In all honesty, I'm not entirely sure why I am writing this. This is no matter that particularly affects anyone, nor is it something that really has to do with this site or its users. It's a consequential decision that really only affects me and me alone.
On the 12th of May of this year, I have rescinded my citizenship in Byelorussia. This was among the hardest decisions I have ever made, and coming to terms with the reality that I carried through such an action has greatly affected my perception of myself. I would've hoped it would settle all the troubles I have really had in terms of the definition of who or what I am, but really, the action has done nothing more but reminded me I was not strong enough to endure the reality of the Byelorussian situation.
There is no free Byelorussia, nor will there be one until Lukashenko's family is removed from any position of governance.
And even then? What isn't saying power isn't assumed by someone just as bad or worse?
I understand there are many here not familiar with the Byelorussian situation, the struggles of her people, and the ongoing fight to self-determination and the battle against a regime that has been in power since the end of the Soviet Union. Few are probably even aware of the little state. I'm not here to assign responsibility to be knowledgeable or aware of it, no one here needs to go out of their way to fight for a movement that really doesn't have a happy outcome. I myself have given up.
What was the movement?
Back in the summer of last year, Byelorussia was having another election season for the President of the state. It proceeded with events that every Byelorussian has become familiar with: opposition figures to Lukashenko being disqualified, arrested, exiled from the country and separated from their children, a few "disappearances," this list can go on. Lukashenko had secured himself what has notoriously been called "the last dictatorship in Europe," and proudly declared Byelorussia the vanguard against the "gay and degenerative West."
Further than that, he bastardized the Byelorussian constitution in order to give all power to himself. He has filled every branch of government with friends and families that will never challenge him, effectively making himself his own petty dictatorship.
For all 26 years of his regime he has had people who opposed him killed, domestically and abroad, their families torn apart, refused Byelorussians the opportunity to speak against him -- arrested people who clapped in the streets for "insurrection" -- and beaten in the past Soviet ideologies their nation had tried to grow out of to the point the existence of their country was nothing more than a Soviet nostalgia state. He disgraced that country by changing its flag with his own repressive regime, turned the people sworn to protect the Byelorussians against their own families and friends, and terrorized the country in a way befitting of Soviet nostalgia.
Several times has Lukashenko claimed the only way he's going to be removed from power is if he is killed. Just recently he has signed into law that his son is to inherit the Presidency of Byelorussia should he be removed from that capacity, essentially making the country a new monarchy. He's legitimized his regime just recently in a "secret inauguration" this past summer when the entire nation was in protest.
Then Lukashenko authorized state agents to maim and kill peaceful protestors. He had concentration camps constructed for people arrested multiple times for protesting against his regime, where they could end up permanently. Soldiers and police, sickened by any association to this, burned their uniforms and denounced Lukashenko. They've been arrested and charged with treason.
I sat back and watched what had happened time and time again in history. I saw those who were my people stand up peacefully, not so much as lift a finger against the authorities, be beaten, arrested, tortured, killed, all because they wanted to see a free Byelorussia. I was raised in a regime that terrorized my own family, frightening my parents enough that they took their family and fled the country.
I used to be proud to call myself a Byelorussian, to be one of the peaceful people, who no matter the crimes inflicted against us -- we'd settle the matter peacefully.
I can't be called that anymore. They're not my people, and it's not my country. Not anymore.
I had believed that change would've been possible this past year, that perhaps Lukashenko would finally step down and allow the people to finally breathe the fresh air of freedom that they had been promised by him since the end of the Soviet regime. I was foolish to believe in my area of the world, change was ever possible. There has been no happy endings here, and for every step forward we have taken two steps back. I've had to accept now that I will not live to see a free motherland, as my parents won't, my grandparents have not, and as my ancestors have never enjoyed.
I denounced my citizenship out of fear. Extraditing "criminals" back to Byelorussia has been a tool of the Lukashenko regime since the start of last summer, and given that the state had already arbitrarily rescinded citizenship for its own people abroad, I decided I should be the one to take that action before anyone else does -- or before something happens out of my control. I feel like I've failed something good for it, but then again, the only good that's ever been here has been tarnished and ruined by phantoms and ghouls of the past looking to oppress.
I don't expect any good from this post to happen, but really, a lot of my stories here have been written to deal with the struggles I've had and my family have faced. I've tried to imply that there is hope no matter these things, and that if only we can press forward, we could find the light.
Honestly I've been tempted several times this past week to delete these stories. They were as foolish as I am. I have for now decided against it. These will be left at the bottom here, so now those who have read them have the full context of the demons I've been faced with for most of my life.
I've decided to take down my old profile picture of the Pahonia and the Free Byelorussian flag. I've replaced it with something more fitting.
For those who have supported me through these struggles, I thank you. You've done what you all could, and tried to keep me positive when every urge of me telling me to give in to that darkness from which perhaps I could never return. I've chosen a way out of it that is unorthodox, but is one that has left me feeling nonetheless like a traitor to the very people who have raised me. I'm no son of this motherland, not anymore.
Take care, comrades.
I'll never be able to imagine the difficulty, the frustration, or the fear that has taken place in you for your situation. I remember you briefly educating me on the problems of the country and where you stood, and I continue to be appalled. I'm proud of you for being who you are and taking action for yourself, whether things change or not. I continue to hope the best for you and encourage the fact that I will support you as a friend.
Keep your chin high and keep walking Myk. You can do this.
I know I can't do much... but know that I stand by any decision you make. You made a decision and, are going to stick by it. Even if you have no option but to stick by it.
Forever and always I stand by you.
5520017
Thank you for the response. This admittedly has taken a lot out of me, and I am left to wonder more about my future as it stands. I'm not positive I have much of one. Thank you for all you've done and continue to do. You're a great example.
5520023
Thank you for the response. Although there isn't much that can be done as it is, there is at least being able to be hopeful for what is to come and try to actively be aware of what is happening in the world. Thank you for your comment.
Myka, I can never say that I understand your position, because what you are going through is very unique and it is something that's happening to your entire people and identity. What I can say is that I've known you for many months now, and throughout those months you've been nothing but a great guy, hard-working and dependable. You've been nothing but a great friend to not only me, but to many others too. You are strong, and never think that your decision means you're a failure. You are defiant against the Lukashenko regime, and thus you've rescinded any association with them. Your connection to the Byelorussian people however, that will be forever.
Stay strong brother.
Lord, that is terrible, I am so sorry.
I'm sorry to hear all that. Hopefully things will end up better when Lukashenko is gone.