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  • Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the outcomes of the 2nd meeting of CoE – Belarus Contact Group, 2023

    February 01, 2023

    “Madam President,
    Madam Secretary General,

    Excellencies,
    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    It is my pleasure to speak to you again.

    We have progressed considerably since we discussed the idea of establishing a Council of Europe Contact Group with Belarus. I am grateful for your decision from 7 September, and for the dedication of the Council of Europe leadership and staff during this process. This has been a unique experience with unprecedented support.

    Since then, we have formed the Belarusian side of the Group consisting of 10 representatives from political structures, civil society and communities. We conducted public consultations on the priorities for the Contact Group. We made an open call for ideas and received an enthusiastic response with proposals about possible projects for 2023. Results of these consultations were conveyed to the Contact Group for consideration. I am glad to hear that the list of possible projects for 2023 has been agreed in the Contact Group and that it includes such important topics as:

    • Support to future legal and institutional reforms,
    • Abolition of death penalty,
    • Promotion of non-discrimination and gender equality,
    • Support to victims of repressions, including political prisoners,
    • Involvement of youth,
    • and a number of others.

    We have concrete plans ahead of us, and we will count on the support from the Member States of the Council of Europe on this path.

    From my side, I will make it a priority to explain in the capitals of the Member States why our work with the Council is of strategic importance. This will help solicit support, even though I am sure you are speaking to the capitals already.

    From the Belarusian side of the Contact Group we will also ensure the consultative and inclusive process. We will engage with civil society organizations and political groups and formations. All voices need to be taken into account. 

    In this regard I would like to welcome the decision of the Political Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly to engage up to three representatives of democratic political forces at every part-session on a rotational basis. This will allow the Council of Europe to also appreciate the diversity of voices among the political forces in Belarus.

    In conclusion, allow me to go back to what I mentioned in our previous meetings.

    We want to see more Council of Europe in Belarus and more Belarus in the Council of Europe. Thanks to our joint efforts and mutual support this is already happening.

    Our strategic objective remains to become a full member of the Council of Europe as soon as possible. With this work, we are making tangible and concrete steps towards this goal.

    Thank you!”

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