It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Aleksandr Milinkiewicz (1947–2026), an eminent Belarusian democracy activist, scholar, Chancellor of the Belarusian Free University, and a Friend of Civitas University.
For many years, Aleksandr Milinkiewicz was one of the leading figures of the Belarusian democratic movement. A scientist and academic teacher, he consistently combined his public engagement with unwavering support for a free and democratic Belarus. In 2006, he was the joint candidate of the Belarusian democratic opposition in the presidential election. In the same year, he was awarded the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
Education and the support of future generations of Belarusians occupied a special place in his work. His cooperation with Civitas University was closely linked to the Belarusian Free University.
For our community, he was not only a partner in academic initiatives but, above all, a Friend of the University. We shared with him a deep conviction about the fundamental importance of free education, dialogue, and civic responsibility.
As recently as May 2025, we had the honour of welcoming Aleksandr Milinkiewicz to Civitas University during Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s lecture, “Belarus and European Security.” He participated in the event as Chancellor of the Belarusian Free University. The meeting focused, among other topics, on the future of Belarus, its place in Europe, and the importance of security and democratic values.
Today, we gather to honor the memory of a man who devoted a significant part of his life to the cause of a free and democratic Belarus, a scholar, an advocate of education and dialogue, and a close friend of our academic community.
The funeral ceremonies will take place on 22 August 2026 in Warsaw. The Holy Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Archcathedral.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Aleksandr Milinkiewicz, to his friends and colleagues, and to the entire democratic community of Belarus.