Cichanoŭskaja thanks Germany for backing people’s quest for freedom

August 10, BPN. Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has taken to Twitter to thank Germany “for standing with the people of Belarus in our pursuit of democracy and freedom.”

“Your unwavering support for civil society, academics, journalists and all those subjected to persecution and violence is invaluable,” the exiled Belarusian opposition leader said.

Cichanoŭskaja was commenting on a statement issued by the German foreign office yesterday, on the anniversary of the disputed 2020 presidential election in which she was a contender.

Germany is “funding numerous projects to help various target groups” and has “launched a mechanism to document human rights violations” together with its partners, the foreign office said.

“We support people who have been subjected to political persecution by helping them leave the country and also by assisting victims of state violence,” it added.

It stated that the Belarusian regime posed an increasing threat to its neighbors, pointing out migration issues, the presence of Russian mercenaries in the country, and support for Russia’s nuclear plans and its war on Ukraine.

“The regime does not shrink from even the worst human rights violations committed as part of this war, including the abduction of Ukrainian children to Belarus and elsewhere,” it said.