On November 9, the Minister of State for European Affairs of Ireland, Peter Burke, visited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius. He was accompanied by the Ambassador of Ireland to Lithuania, Séadhna MacHugh, who is responsible for cooperation with democratic forces in Belarus.
During the meeting, Mr. Burke and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed support for rehabilitation programs for political prisoners and families of those repressed, mentioning Ireland’s experience in aid programs for people affected by the Chornobyl disaster. They also discussed holding the Lukashenka regime accountable in international courts and simplifying legalization of stay for Belarusians in Ireland after the dictator’s recent decree suspending consular services abroad.
Minister Burke assured the Belarusian leader that Ireland will continue to assist independent Belarusian media, including Zerkalo.io, as well as the Viasna Human Rights Center. Ireland will also support cultural projects in collaboration with the United Transitional Cabinet Representative for National Revival, Alina Koushyk. Mr. Burke announced Ireland’s campaign for the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya urged the minister to support the European perspective for Belarus and to hold relevant hearings in the Council of Europe Ministers’ Committee.
After 2020, Ireland ceased relations with the regime and has been cooperating with democratic forces in Belarus.
