During her visit to Vienna, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions of the OSCE PA, raising several pressing issues regarding Belarus. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya named specific steps that the OSCE can take right now to influence the situation in the country:
📌 “The OSCE PA should make it clear that the crimes of Lukashenka will not be tolerated. We need a voice in OSCE PA, who will report on the situation in Belarus. I propose to assign the Rapporteur on Belarus or relaunch the Working Group on Belarus, which existed in this assembly before”.
📌 “I call on OSCE PA not to recognize these elections. People who will be appointed to the so-called parliament don’t represent the people. And they don’t want dialogue. They see OSCE PA as a tribune to spread lies and justify the terror”.
📌 “I call on you to exclude the newly appointed so-called parliament of Belarus from the Parliamentary Assembly. I understand that you value and cherish dialogue here in the OSCE. But do you want to have a dialogue with torturers and murderers?”
📌 “I ask you to invite representatives of Belarusian democratic movement and political parties as observers. They already participate in the work of PACE. Participation in OSCE PA will make the voice of Belarusians heard. And OSCE PA will show bravery and commitment to its own principles”.
During the OSCE meeting, US Congressman Joe Wilson declared a moment of silence for Ihar Lednik and Alexei Navalny.
