(credit: multimedia.europarl.europa.eu)  The democratic opposition in Belarus – Sakharov Prize Laureate 2020

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The European Parliament awarded its 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of thought to Belarus democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and other members of the movement in  Brussels Wednesday.  EU Parliament President David Sassoli presented the Prize  to Tsikhanouskaya and Belarusian activist  Veranika Tsapkala.  During the ceremony, exceptionally held in Brussels, President Sassoli said:

“The whole world is aware of what is happening in your country. We see your courage. We see the courage of women. We see your suffering. We see the unspeakable abuses. We see the violence. Your aspiration and determination to live in a democratic country inspires us.”

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

(credit:  © European Union 2020  /  Alexis HAULOT)    Belarus Opposition leader Sveltana Tikhanovskaya  with award at EP Plenary session- Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought Award Ceremony Dec. 16, 2020 – Brussels.

Accepting the prize, the main opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said:

“Each and every Belarusian who takes part in the peaceful protest against violence and lawlessnes is a hero. Each of them is an example of courage, compassion, and dignity. Belarusians have been marching every week since the 9 August election. They march for their future and the future of those who cannot be there. They march for the freedom and dignity of Belarusians, of Europeans, yours and ours. Without a free Belarus, Europe is not fully free either.” She added: “I have only one wish this year. I want every Belarusian who is now in jail or was forced to live in exile to return home.”

Longtime Belarus President Lukashenko won 80.23% of the vote, with rival challenger  Tikhanovskaya receiving 9.9%.  of ballots in the August 8 elections.  Tikhanovskaya  fled the country in the aftermath of the disputed presidential elections.  Tikhanovskaya  is in exile in Lithuania where she continues to speak out against the election results.  Critics  immediately denounced Lukashenko’s landslide victory as being rigged and mass protests erupted with thousands taking to the streets of capital city Minsk and across the country to vent frustration.   Nearly 10,000 protesters have been arrested amid post-election crackdown by Belarus officials.  Protesters reported being beaten and tortured.