During the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Kajsa Ollongren. Siarhei Tsikhanouski was also present at the meeting.
The discussion focused on the human rights situation in Belarus and political prisoners. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the efforts to secure their release and noted the significant role of the United States in the negotiation track.
The meeting covered:
- The humanitarian efforts. United States sanctions imposed for human rights violations could be eased in exchange for concrete steps by the regime – the release of detainees and an end to repression.
- EU sanctions. They were imposed in response to the war and hybrid attacks and should not be subject to discussions on easing.
- Repression. Persecution continues, new political prisoners replace those who are released.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed that persecution in Belarus also includes other forms of systemic pressure: professional bans, the persecution of political parties and trade unions, restrictions on mobility, and the inability to safely return to Belarus.
The parties also discussed the international track:
- cooperation with the United Nations, including with the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN special mechanisms;
- possible steps to increase pressure on the regime to secure concessions in the field of human rights;
- the need to use every available opportunity to secure people’s release while such opportunities exist.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya handed over a report by the International Accountability Platform for Belarus. Kajsa Ollongren pledged to support further work in bringing the regime to account.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The release of political prisoners and an end to repression remain our top priorities. The ball is in the regime’s court: the problem is not the lack of dialogue but the regime’s lack of willingness to change the situation”.
