Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, and the Office's Representative for Latvia and Estonia, Vitaly Malchanau, met with representatives of the group “For a Democratic Belarus” in the Latvian Saeima.
The meeting discussed the Latvian draft law restricting vehicles with Belarusian license plates from entering the country. Representatives of the Office offered Latvian MPs adjustments to the law. “Our arguments have been heard and will be submitted to the relevant subject Committee. There is a possibility that restrictions against Belarusians will be excluded from the law”, commented Anatoli Liabedzka.
Extending the validity of residence permits from one year to three years was also discussed. “We raised the issue of legalization of stay for Belarusians in Latvia at all the meetings. We also met with representatives of the diaspora and activists to discuss important issues and initiatives aimed at supporting Belarusians”, said Vitaly Malchanau.
The parties agreed on:
1) legal expertise of draft laws for new Belarus developed by the Belarusian democratic expert community;
2) internships in the Latvian Saeima for young Belarusians;
3) cooperation in international parliamentary organizations;
4) more symbolic godparents for Belarusian political prisoners. Leila Rasima, head of the Latvian group “For a Democratic Belarus», stated her readiness to take patronage over Belarusian political prisoner Ala Sakalienka.
In addition, representatives of the Latvian group “For a Democratic Belarus” will take part in the meeting on November 7 in Berlin, which will gather representatives of such groups from different countries.
Summarizing the meeting, Anatoli Liabedzka said: “We share a common goal – the European Union from Lisbon to Vitsebsk, and have the same enemies – the dictatorships of Putin and Lukashenka”.
Read more about Anatoli Liabedzka’s work at this link: https://t.me/parlamentbel.
