In the morning, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya accepted at the office Jeppe Kofod, Danish Foreign Minister. The conversation began with the situation surrounding the Belarusian media: the defeat of Our Niva, searches in regional publications. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed that the repression of journalists is the result of impunity: “The regime’s supporters hope that they will get away with everything. But we will not allow it. Arbitrariness and lawlessness in Belarus must be stopped”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed that it was Denmark that became the center for various initiatives gathering evidence of the crimes of the Lukashenka's regime. For example, the Danish Institute against Torture Dignity launched a platform to collect evidence of human rights violations in Belarus (IAPB), supported by dozens of EU countries. According to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, all evidence should be collected and laid on the basis of an international investigation and then a tribunal. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya and Mr. Kofod also discussed the possibility of organizing a conference on the restoration of the rule of law in Belarus and joint action in the OSCE and the United Nations.
During the day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, who is visiting Vilnius. The Belarusian leader expressed gratitude to Spain and, in particular, to the Foreign Minister for her support in the EU Council for International Affairs. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed the importance of launching a rehabilitation programme for political prisoners and their families, as well as the support of civil society, repressed Belarusians, media and activists. She urged Sanchez to create special working conditions for Belarusian businesses and startups that had relocated to Spain. Sanchez invited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to visit Madrid and agreed to consider opening an office in Spain.
Belarusian leader called on politicians to support Belarusians on 16 July for the Day of Solidarity with Belarusian women and on 9 August for the anniversary of the elections.
