In Berlin, immediately after the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the Chair of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee, Armin Laschet, who represents the ruling Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU).
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Germany and Mr. Laschet personally for supporting the Belarusian democratic community and called for continued support for civil society, independent media, and cultural initiatives.
She spoke about the releases of political prisoners and the humanitarian track led by the United States. At the same time, she stressed that the European Union must maintain a consistent and principled position toward Belarus in order to achieve an end to repression and systemic improvements in the human rights situation. More than 1,150 people remain behind bars, and pressure must continue until all are released. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Germany, the German government, and the Foreign Ministry in particular for offering assistance and receiving Maryia Kalesnikava and Viktar Babaryka. She called for accepting more political prisoners if they are deported from the country.
The meeting also addressed the democratic forces’ cooperation with Ukraine, as well as civic initiatives and the challenges faced by Belarusians abroad. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that Germany is among the leaders in the number of Schengen visas issued to Belarusians and emphasized the importance of preserving mobility, including to strengthen pro-European sentiments and ties between Belarusians inside the country and European states. “While isolating the regime, it is important to support Belarusians”, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted.
The parties also discussed the work of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Group in the Bundestag, joint events involving MPs participating in Libereco’s symbolic godparenthood program for political prisoners, and the initiative to hold a Congress of Godparents.
