On Monday, 14 December, several laureates or family members of laureates of the 2020 Sakharov Prize stressed the importance of the ongoing fight in Belarus, praising the European Parliament for its support.
The 2020 Sakharov Prize will be formally presented to them on Wednesday, 16 December.
“This award is very important for the Belarusian people. Thank you for your support, but the battle is not over”, warned Alès Bialiatski during a hearing before the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Development, and Subcommittee on Human Rights.
Quoting her currently imprisoned sister, Maria Kalesnikava, Tatiana Khomich has stated, “We are becoming more courageous with every day that passes. True freedom is within. People are willing to do a lot for money or power, but they are willing to do anything for freedom”.
“We are making this sacrifice for our country; we cannot do without freedom. Defending freedom is a source of inspiration for others. Belarus paid a high price for freedom; we will not rest until this has been achieved”, added Maria Adamovic, reading a speech by her husband, Mikola Statkevich.
Likewise, Volha Kavalkova warned that protesters will continue until their demands have been heard, citing the release of political prisoners, an end to the violence, prosecution of those responsible, the guarantee of international standards, and “a future without Lukashenko”.
“We must ensure that the next presidential elections are free and fair, in accordance with Belarusian law and international standards. We know how essential it is that the next president and parliament not have unlimited powers”, added Svetlana Tikhanovskaya from Berlin. She explained that the regime’s opponents want a free country, where citizens’ rights are respected, “and not a country where one has to fear for one’s life”.
Grateful for the EU’s actions, the laureates did, however, call on it to do more. In particular, they called for additional sanctions, visa liberalisation for Belarusian citizens, and aid for Belarusian companies. “Right now, there is a political crisis, but it will be followed by an economic crisis. Sanctions may not be effective today, but they will be effective tomorrow”, judged Olga Kovalkova. She also called for all MEPs to take action at their level by publishing a video of support on social networks. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)