The leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, called on Wednesday 22 February to keep her country “on the agenda” of Europeans.
“Sometimes it can seem as if Belarus is just another problem, that we have to help Ukraine first and then deal with Belarus. This is not a good option, it risks continuing the tyranny. We cannot turn Belarus into Putin’s consolation prize”, she told a debate at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
According to Ms Tikhanovskaya, there is a “direct link between the freedom of Belarus and Ukraine. They are fighting against the same evil, against imperialism and Russian tyranny.
Ms Tikhanovskaya called on EESC members to express their solidarity with political prisoners, trade unionists and human rights activists who are imprisoned in her country. “Despite all its attempts, the Belarusian regime will not succeed in abolishing our resistance”, pledged the political opponent, adding that Belarusians needed the help of Europeans “to win the battle”, whether that is in terms of an information campaign to counter propaganda, help for young people, establishing cooperation with the democratic opposition or additional sanctions.
“The regime has allowed the war in Ukraine to be facilitated and the sanctions cannot be broken in any way”, she said, suggesting that a working group be set up to verify the implementation of the sanctions based on what investigative journalists are saying.
The political opponent also wanted the people in her country to be able to benefit from the Eastern Partnership. “Belarus should be able to continue and expand its participation. This is a key element to help our people”, Tikhanovskaya said, explaining that it could help the country prepare for a democratic transition, for the necessary reforms.
She called on the EESC to formalise its link with civil society and the Belarusian democratic opposition, in the same way as the Council of Europe has already done. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)