Estonia’s FM notes “atmosphere of terror” in Belarus ahead of presidential vote

November 20, Pozirk. Estonia will not recognize the upcoming presidential vote in Belarus as it is set to take place in an “atmosphere of terror,” Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said after meeting Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja in Tallinn yesterday.
The presidential election on January 21-26 “cannot meet democratic norms,” the Estonian foreign ministry’s press office quoted him as saying. “We must ramp up sanctions against [Alaksandar] Lukašenka’s regime to make him realize that his selling his country and people to Russia is unacceptable.”
Tsahkna also announced Estonia’s contribution of €30,000 to the International Humanitarian Fund set up by the Belarusian opposition to support political prisoners and their families.
“For a long time now, Estonia has considered it very important to support the opposition and political prisoners of Belarus, and we will continue working towards the release of all political prisoners,” the diplomat stressed.
Tallinn welcomes all steps aimed at holding Belarusian officials accountable and supports Lithuania’s proposal to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch an investigation into crimes against humanity in Belarus, he added.
Cichanoŭskaja presented Tsahkna with the Cross of Good Neighborhood for supporting the Belarusian opposition. Her two-day visit to Estonia also featured meetings with other ministers and top politicians.
Belarus will hold its seventh presidential election from January 21 to 26, with the whole election cycle limited to just three months. The previous 2020 presidential race was marred by police brutality against peaceful protesters.
The Belarusian opposition dismissed the election as a sham, noting that political reprisals prevent pro-democracy candidates from running and voters from freely expressing their will.
Pro-democracy forces called on supporters to protest the election “by voting against all those who steal our right to vote.” By voting “against all” the Belarusian public will demonstrate that it continues to oppose Łukašenka and demands free and fair elections, the opposition said in a statement.

Łatuška calls on West to adopt pro-active strategy on Belarus
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja welcomes new EU sanctionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNew terrorist designations announcedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition urges Washington to appoint special envoy for BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityŁukašenka issues edict to detail wartime transport requisitioning proceduresThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, SecurityOpposition politician Łatuška welcomes EU sanctions as show of strengthThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsTbilisi court rules to free Belarusian asylum seekerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Economy
- PoliticsInterior ministry brands one Estonian, 31 Belarusians as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsFree Belarus Museum opens new exhibition on third anniversaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyGovernment to build new pulp and paper mill in Viciebsk regionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- EconomyKlaipėda terminal keeps up pressure on Lithuanian government to resume transit of Belarus’ fertilizersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: new wave of arrests targeting 2020 protestersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SportBelarusian gymnasts to rejoin international competitionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBiełavija to open new China linkThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsBelarus and Laos sign visa exemption dealThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics