In light of the failure of the transformative process surrounding Mikola Dziadok, we feel it is necessary to make a statement on this situation and express our views on our next steps.
We consider any form of abuse or violence within the movement unacceptable, regardless of whether it occurs within groups or in the personal relationships of movement participants. In the event of a report of violence, the only adequate way to restore harmony and trust within the movement is to begin a transformative process. Without this process, movement participants cannot be sure that their environment is safe.
In the absence of a transformative justice process, we do not have the right to believe in the ideal nature of those relationships. We by default place trust within the movement and the words of the victim above individual attitudes towards the person. Such an attitude, which may seem dry at first glance, actually works to the benefit of every participant in the movement and prevents a situation in which a person who has experienced violence is ignored due to insufficient social capital. Every person in the community must understand this, and at critical moments, it is necessary to listen to comrades, reflect on one’s behavior, and correct the harm caused as much as possible.
In addition, based on the facts that Mikola was 29 years old and his partner was 16, we believe that the risk of emotional abuse is very high. Understanding and accepting personal boundaries is formed through life experience, so relationships with young people cannot be equal without constant individual and joint reflection.
Since Mikola refused to participate in the transformative justice process, we are forced to sever our relationship with him. Mikola’s refusal to participate in discussions and take responsibility for his actions undermines trust within the anarchist movement.
On collective responsibility
The participants of the community are the community, and the individual actions of its participants are, to one degree or another, the responsibility of the entire community. Without internal work and periodic exchange of thoughts and ideas, we cannot be sure that we share the same ideas and values, because the world does not stand still and we change along with it, our views on different things may change and this is normal — it is a natural process. And how we behave outside the community should not be a taboo subject. Such processes are necessary for development and joint growth in political and social issues. Without a critical approach, the revolutionary movement is unable to move forward. Slogans such as “the personal is political” have existed within the anarchist movement for a long time, and there are very few people left who still think that a person’s behavior in personal relationships does not affect the social environment and political transformations in society.
We must not ignore even small signals, but rather act quickly and initiate discussions. Comradely criticism should be present not only within groups but also in relation to our lives outside the community. In the example of Mikola, we see how refusing to take responsibility or even unwillingness to discuss the situation negatively affects trust within the anarchist movement.
We recognize the responsibility of the Belarusian movement for allowing this situation to go so far and call on individual groups to initiate discussions and events to examine different forms of violence and examples of them, to organize joint readings of brochures, and to organize workshops to help each other, either independently or with the help of comrades, to recognize violence.
A good list of literature on transformative justice can be found here.
