At the beginning of the conversation, the Belarusian leader expressed gratitude to the Norwegian government for supporting independent Belarusian media and human rights defenders.
The parties then discussed the situation with political prisoners. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya informed the Minister that many prisoners are kept incommunicado, including Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Mikalai Statkevich, and Maryia Kalesnikava. She emphasized the need to achieve access to prisons for observers and secure the release of all unlawfully convicted. Espen Barth Eide and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the rehabilitation of released political prisoners and support for the families of those repressed.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for continued support for projects that promote Belarusian culture, literature, and language.
She invited Minister Barth Eide to submit a request to the International Criminal Court to initiate an investigation against dictator Lukashenka for crimes against humanity and the illegal displacement of Ukrainian children from occupied territories to Belarus.
The parties also discussed the participation of Belarus’ democratic forces in the events of the Nordic Council, which includes Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
In conclusion, Minister Espen Barth Eide invited the Belarusian leader to come to Oslo for an official visit in early 2024.
