10 years of the Nobel: how did they react in Europe?
In Minsk, on March 3, a verdict was passed in the high-profile case of human rights activists “Viasna”. The Belarusian court sentenced Nobel laureate Ales Byalyatsky to 10 years in prison, vice-president of the organization Valentin Stefanovich – to 9 years, lawyer Vladimir Labkovich – to 7 years.
Human rights activists were accused of smuggling money and “funding protests” in Belarus in the form of assistance to people affected by political persecution. How did Europe and Belarus react to this verdict?
“This is an attack on justice”
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said the EU strongly condemns the fake trials, which “represent another horrific example of how the Lukashenka regime is trying to silence those who defend human rights and freedoms. of the people of Belarus.” “Lukashenko will not succeed. His call for freedom is loud even behind bars,” he said.
“An attack on justice and an attempt to silence independent voices,” Dunja Mijatović, Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, called the court’s decision.
The verdict was also condemned by the UN. “We are seriously concerned about the lack of a fair trial and access to an independent judiciary in Belarus, which puts human rights defenders in Belarus at risk of being prosecuted for their legitimate human rights activities,” the Office said. of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. said in a statement.
“Same shame as Lukashenka’s support for Putin’s war”
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Facebook called the verdict “another outrageous decision by the Belarusian court”. “Authorities (Belarus – Ed.) repeatedly tried to silence him, but Ales Bialiatski never gave up his fight for human rights and democracy in Belarus,” he wrote.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also reacted to the verdict, calling the trial a “farce”. “The Minsk regime is fighting civil society with violence and imprisonment. This is the same daily disgrace as Lukashenka’s support for Putin’s war. We demand an end to political persecution and the release of over 1,400 political prisoners,” she tweeted.
A representative of the German Embassy in Belarus was in court in Minsk during the sentencing of Ales Byalyatsky, Valentin Stefanovich and Vladimir Labkovich. “They were wrongly convicted today – precisely for their unwavering non-violent activities in defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the embassy said in a statement on Facebook.
“Exclude Belarus from international competitions”
The German-Swiss non-governmental human rights organization Libereco called for the creation of a special international court for Belarus. “The long prison terms of our longtime partners and friends – Ales, Valentin and Vladimir – shock and sadden us. But even more, they make us angry at the criminal Lukashenka and his assistants and accomplices. We are witnessing a crime against humanity. humanity in the center of Europe, when thousands of innocent people are held hostage by the dictator. European democracies must no longer tolerate this and must take decisive action against the Lukashenka regime,” said Libereco President Lars Bünger.
The organization also called on all international sports federations to exclude Belarus from the competition, including UEFA – to prevent the Belarus team from participating in the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying matches. Western companies that have production facilities in Belarus and do not produce essential goods or medical products must completely leave Belarus as long as the dictatorship remains in the country.
In an interview with Radio Svaboda Oleg Orlov, one of the founders of the Russian human rights organization “Memorial”, noted that “when you find yourself in Belarus, you see that Russia still has room to fall”. “In a court in Belarus, it is even forbidden to wave at people in a cage. The accusation is absolutely absurd. Funding protest actions is, it seems, paying legal aid, fines and helping victims of illegalities. This is the activity of human rights . without exceeding the permissible amount. After that, the prosecution picked up all these legal actions and claims that they are illegal. What does this have to do with law? None,” he said.
“Ales carries the cross for all of us”
The leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, says she saw a photo of the court of human rights activists: “They are not desperate – but they have energy, will to continue the fight. They know that they are doing the right thing.”
She emphasized that Ales Bialiatski “even from prison is able to draw attention to Belarus.” “We see that thanks to him Belarus is back on the agenda, thanks to him other political prisoners are also talked about,” she said. Tikhanovskaya called human rights activists heroes and assured that “Belarusians will do everything possible to make this horror end as soon as possible”.
Alina Kovshik, representative of the United Transitional Opposition Office, thanked Ales Byalyatsky for “the cross he carries for all of us”. “I want to hug your loved ones and be with them at this moment. I have only one request to all Belarusians: that each of us think and decide what exactly we can do in his place to reduce Ales’ suffering, so that he gets out more quickly at ease.”
The Nobel Peace Prize in December 2022 was received instead of Ales Byalyatsky by his wife Natalia Pinchuk. “People were condemned and freedom was condemned. People who fought for freedom, for the truth, fought with the help of human rights activities were condemned. And they were condemned for this human rights activity,” she said in an interview with Euroradio after the verdict..
Source: DW
Anna White is a journalist at 247 News Reel, where she writes on world news and current events. She is known for her insightful analysis and compelling storytelling. Anna’s articles have been widely read and shared, earning her a reputation as a talented and respected journalist. She delivers in-depth and accurate understanding of the world’s most pressing issues.