At this Session, the BNR Rada has announced the resumption of its work after a four-year break due to World War II and the death of the previous President, Vasil Zacharka, whose powers were temporarily taken over by Mikola Abramčyk. Representatives of the numerous new wave of exiles from Belarus have joined the BNR Rada.

DECLARATION
BY THE RADA OF THE BELARUSIAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (BNR)

Adopted on 31 December1947

The Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, having gathered for a meeting on the historic day of the 30th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian Democratic Republic by the First All-Belarusian Congress in Minsk, solemnly declares that it continuously:

1. Seeks to exercise of the will of the Belarusian people for an independent statehood, expressed by the First All-Belarusian Congress and in the Act of 25 March;
2. Does not recognize and never will recognize the BSSR as a form of Belarusian independent statehood, considering it a Russian-communist fiction of the Belarusian statehood, introduced by Moscow as a means of enslavement of the Belarusian people, of its national, material and even physical destruction;
3. Does not recognize, and never will recognize as binding to the Belarusian people, any conditions and obligations signed on behalf of the Belarusian people by the governments of the USSR, Poland, and the so-called government of the BSSR – a Russian occupation administration in Belarus;
4. Having a mandate from the First All-Belarusian Congress, remains the sole and highest representative of the state will of the Belarusian people, which has authorized the BNR government to act on its behalf;
5. Expresses confidence and remains loyal to the President of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, Eng. M. Abramčyk – the highest representative of the sovereign rights of the Belarusian people;
6. Seeks solidarity and cooperation with all the peoples enslaved and threatened by Russian Communism, who recognize the sovereign rights of the Belarusian people within its ethnographic borders.

The Rada believes that at the moment its main duty is the full consolidation of all Belarusian national forces, and mobilization to fight for the final liberation of the Belarusian people from Russian captivity, and the restoration of the Belarusian People’s Democratic Republic.

Rada of the Belarusian People’s Republic (BNR Rada)

State of Michigan, Executive Office. Lansing

Proclamation

Byelorussian Independence Day

The twenty-fifth of March is the traditional day of Byelorussian Independence. Thirty-nine years ago, on this day, a free and independent Byelorussian National Republic was proclaimed. The people of Byelorussia – or White Russia – north of Ukraine, have always adhered to the principle of self-rule and have desired to assist others in attempts to throw off the yoke of foreign rule. In 1812, in 1863, and on other occasions the Byelorussians gave forceful proof of this constant yearning to be free.

In 1918, these brave people were finally successful in establishing a new nation. But this freedom was not to live long. The young republic fell subject to the pressures of the Soviet Red Army and it was divided between the Soviet Union and Poland in 1921, despite gallant and courageous resistance.

Short-lived as this freedom was, its memory lingers on the hearts and minds of the Byelorussian people and their descendants and friends in America. The proper observance of this anniversary will give genuine moral support to the Byelorussians fighting behind the Iron Curtain to liberate their country from  the enslavement of the Communists and to defend the liberty, freedom and dignity of all oppressed peoples.

Therefore, I, G. Mennen Williams, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim Monday, March 25, 1957, as Byelorussian Independence Day in Michigan, and urge all our citizens to pay homage to the brave people both in America and in the mother country who continue to work for the restoration of freedom in this enslaved land.

Given under my hand and Great Seal of the State of Michigan, this Twentieth Day of March, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Seven, and one of the Commonwealth the One Hundred Twenty-First.

(-) G. Mennen Williams, Governor

(-) James M. Hare, Secretary of State

***

Mr. Speaker, just 48 years ago, after centuries of enslavement and oppression, the Byelorussian people declared to all mankind they were a free and independent people. This declaration followed on the heels of the Russian Communist revolution and the downfall of the Romanovs. The reality of freedom was short lived, for before a full year had passed, the Russian Red Army marched through the countryside and Byelorussia was again under Russian control.

Rahel, the medieval Christian chronicler, wrote many years ago:

“To have freedom is only to have that which is absolutely necessary to enable us to be what we ought to be and to possess what we ought to possess.”

Today Byelorussia is not free. The Byelorussians have no way to assert their own national identity. They cannot be what they want to be, or possess that which they want to possess. They are being denied their own individual history, culture and national pride. They are clearly and simply a ward of the Kremlin.

As freemen who do not take our freedoms and liberties for granted, we are a link between the principles of freedom and self-determination and those who aspire to be free and guide their own destiny. On this 48th anniversary of Byelorussian independence, let us reaffirm to the Byelorussian people that their hopes have not been forgotten by the free world.

Source: Congressional Record

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

March 31, 1989

I am happy to greet everyone joining the Bielarusian Coordinating Committee as it observes the 71st anniversary of Bielarusian independence.

In commemorating this milestone, we pay tribute to the rich national heritage Bielarusia has shared with the world through centuries. We are aware that the human desire for liberty cannot be extinguished, even by decades of time. I commend you for your efforts to keep the plight of Bleiarusians before Americans who are fortunate enough to live in a free society.

Barbara joins me in withing you a memorable and enjoyable celebration. May God bless you and all those who struggle for freedom around the globe.

George H.W. Bush

This and many similar statements by US officials were the result of many years long work by the Belarusian American community to popularize Belarusin the United States, to spread information about the Belarusian culture and history in the West.

Proclamation

Byelorussian Independence Day

March 25, 1984

Whereas, March 25th marks the anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Byelorussian Democratic Republic; and

Whereas, the Byelorussian Democratic Republic was established following the collapse of the Tsarist Russian Empire but was subsequently annexed by the government of the Soviet Union; and

Whereas, people of Byelorussian descent living in Colorado share a concern for the liberation of Byelorussia; and

Whereas, all Coloradoans value individual freedom and national independence;

Now, THEREFORE, I, Richard D. Lamm, Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim March 25, 1984, as Byelorussian Independence Day in the State of Colorado.

Given under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this twentieth day of March, A. D. 1984

Richard D. Lamm, Governor

Ілюстрацыя: Рычард Ламм, губэрнатар Калярада ў 1984 г.

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF NEW YORK

PROCLAMATION

Whereas: The Belarusian American community is observing the 75th anniversary of the Belarus Democratic Republic on the twenty-fifth of March, and

Whereas: More than 500,000 immigrants from Belarus arrived in the United States between 1890 and 1920. The headquarters of their first organization was located on Park Row accross from City Hall in 1920. More than 50,000 immigrants arrived after World War II, fleeing opression and seeking to build new lives for themselves and their families in the Land of Freedom, and

Whereas: For more than a century, New Yorkers of Belarusian descent have contributed to every area of the life and culture of our city, sharing their rich heritage with all New Yorkers, and

Whereas: As we commemorate the anniversary of the Belarus Democratic Republic, we remember with sadness the continuing devastation of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Seventy percent of the fallout from Chernobyl contaminated one-third of Belarus and affected 2.2 million people — including many relatives of New Yorkers. Many scientists, physicians and other men and women of good will from our city and our nation continue their work to assist the people already affected and to seek long-term solutions.

Now therefore, I, Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mayor of the City of New York, in recognition of this important anniversary, do hereby proclaim Sunday, March 26, 1995, in the City of New York as BELARUSIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY.

Rudolph W. Giuliani
Mayor

***

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

March 15, 1958

Dear Mr. Mierlak:

The President has asked me to convey to you and to the members and friends of the Byelorussian-American Association his greetings and good wishes for the success of your convocation.

The enterprising spirit and many skills of our citizens of Byelorussian origin have made a substancial contribution to the greatness of our country.

Although celebration this year is being held in a period of peace, it is necessary to be ever on guard to the dangers that threaten the peace in today’s anxious world. In the effort to keep our country strong and prepared, we know our citizens of Byelorussian origin are doing their characteristically loyal share.

Sincerely,

Sherman Adams

First Constituent Charter

To the people of Belarus

Our native land has found itself in a new and difficult situation. The fate of the regime that was here previously is not known. We face the possible occupation of our land by German troops.

We must take our fate into our own hands. The Belarusan people must assert their right to full self-determination, and the national minorities their right to national and personal autonomy.

The rights of nation should find realization by means of a Constituent Assembly convened on democratic principles.

However, even before convening the Constituent Assembly, all power in Belarus should belong to the peoples residing therein.

The Executive Committee of the Council (Rada) of the First All Belarusan Congress, supplemented by representatives of the revolutionary democracy of the national minorities and fulfilling the goals imposed upon it by the Congress, declares itself to be the Provisional Authority in Belarus to govern the land and to convene as soon as possible an All-Belarusan Constituent Assembly based on universal voting rights for the entire adult population without distinction of nationality, religion, or sex.

The Provisional National Authority in the land, having assumed the tasks of defending and strengthening the revolutionary achievements, will carry out these tasks through the National Secretariat of Belarus, which has been established and which, from this date on, has assumed the exercise of its responsibilities. The names of the members of the Secretariat will be published later.

The Executive Committee of the Council of the First All-Belarusan Congress
Given in Miensk, Belarus, February 21 (8), 1918.

Second Constituent Charter

To the people of Belarus

During this World War in which some powerful states have been destroyed and others liberated, Belarus has awakened to national life. After three and a half centuries of subjugation, the Belarusan nation again declares to the entire world that it is alive and will remain alive. The Great National Assembly the All-Belarusan Congress of December 5-17, 1917, concerned about the fate of Belarus, confirmed a republican government within its territory. Carrying out the will of the Congress and defending the national rights of the people, the Executive Committee of the Council (Rada) of the Congress, decrees the following concerning the political structure of Belarus and the rights and freedoms of her citizens and peoples:

1. Belarus, within the borders of the numerical majority of the Belarusan people, is declared to be a Democratic Republic.
2. The fundamental laws of the Belarusan Democratic Republic will be confirmed by the Constituent Assembly of Belarus, convened on the principles of a universal, equal, direct, secret, and proportional voting law without regard to sex, nationality, or religion.
3. Until such time as the Constituent Assembly of Belarus convenes, the legislative authority in the Belarusan Deratic Republic shall belong to the Council of the All-Belarusan Congress, augmented by representatives of the national minorities of Belarus.
4. The executive and administrative authority in the Belarusan Democratic Republic shall belong to the National Secretariat of Belarus which shall be appointed by the Council of the Congress and be responsible thereto.
5. Within the borders of the Belarusan Democratic Republic freedom of speech, press, assembly, and the right to strike and organize unions are proclaimed; as well as unconditional freedom of conscience, and the inviolability of the individual and of residence.
6. Within the borders of the Belarusan Democratic Republic all peoples have the right to national and personal autonomy; and equal rights for all the languages of the peoples of Belarus are proclaimed.
7. Within the borders of the Belarusan Democratic Republic the right to private ownership of land is abolished. The land is to be given over without payment to those who till it. Forests, lakes, and natural resources are declared to be the property of the Belarusan Democratic Republic.
8. Within the borders of the Belarusan Democratic Republic a working day of a maximum of eight hours is established.

Proclaiming all these rights and freedoms for the citizens and peoples of the Belarusan Democratic Republic, we, the Executive Committee of the Council of the Congress pledge to guard the legal order of life in the Republic, ensure the interests of all the citizens and peoples of the Republic, and preserve the rights and freedoms of the working people. We shall also apply all oui, strength to convene the Constituent Assembly of Byelorussia in the very near future.

We call on all faithful sons of the Belarusan land to assist us in our difficult and responsible labors.

The Executive Committee of the Council of the First All-Belarusan Congress
Given in Miensk, Belarus, March 9, 1918.

Third Constituent Charter

A year ago the peoples of Belarus, together with the peoples of Russia, threw off the yoke of Russian tsarism, which had oppressed Belarus most of all and, without asking the people, precipitated our land into the conflagration of war which totally destroyed Belarusan cities and villages.

Now we, the Council (Rada) of the Belarusan Democratic Republic, have’cast off from our native land the last vestige of national dependence which the Russian tsars imposed by force upon our free and independent land.

From this time on, the Belarusan Democratic Republic is proclaimed an independent and free state. The peoples of Belarus themselves, under the aegis of their Constituent Assembly, shall determine the future national relations of Belarus.

By virtue of this, all former national relations lose their force relations which made it possible for a foreign government to sign the Treaty of Brest for Belarus, thus destroying the Belarusan people by partitioning their land.

By virtue of this, the government of the Belarusan Democratic Republic will establish relations with interested parties by proposing to them a review of that part of the Treaty ol Brest which concerns Belarus and the signing of peace treaties with all belligerent states.

The Belarusan Democratic Republic should include all those lands where the Belarusan people constitute a numerical majority, namely: the Mahileu region, the Belarusan parts of the regions of Miensk, Horadnia (including the cities of Horadnia, Bielastok, and others), Vilnia, Viciebsk, Smalensk, and Charnihau, as well adjacent parts of neighboring gubernias, inhabited by Belarusans.

The Belarusan Democratic Republic confirms all those rights and freedoms of the citizens and peoples of Belarus which were proclaimed by the Constituent Charter of March 9, 1918.

Proclaiming the independence of the Belarusan Democratic Republic, its Council expresses the hope that all freedom-loving peoples will assist the Belarusan people to achieve fully their political and national ideals.

The Council (Rada) of the Belarusan Democratic Republic
Given in Miensk, Belarus, on March 25, 1918.