In Washington, the Belarusian leader received the George Bush and Margaret Thatcher Freedom Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to promoting democracy and human rights. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya shared this award with the leaders of two Belarusian political parties, Ryhor Kastusiou (Belarusian National Front) and Mikalai Kazlou (United Civic Party), who are currently imprisoned. These parties are members of the International Democracy Union, which founded this award.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya dedicated this award to Belarusian political prisoners, including Ales Bialiatski, Maryia Kalesnikava, Mikalai Kazlou, Ryhor Kastusiou, Mikalai Statkevich, and Artsiom Liabedzka.
“I dedicate this award to Belarusian political prisoners who can’t be with us in this room today. They are serving their draconian sentences in Lukashenka’s prisons. Kept isolated, tortured, beaten. With this award, we pay tribute to their struggle. With this award, we honor their struggle. It is a message to all Belarusian political prisoners: you are not alone, we remember you and stand by you”, the leader noted in her speech.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also mentioned the story of human rights defenders Ihar Sluchak and Alina Nahornaya, who lived and worked underground for the last 3 years with two young children.
