April 22, Pozirk. Opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja presented a Cross of Freedom to Aleś Bialacki, head of the Viasna Human Rights Center, during a ceremony held at Warsaw’s Museum of Free Belarus on April 21 to mark Viasna’s 30th anniversary.
Founded on April 26, 1996, Viasna helps victims and document human rights violations.
“Your job is not done yet. Viasna’s mission has not been accomplished. It still has a long way to go, and we will continue our journey together,” she said.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Bialacki was the first person to receive the award, established by the United Transitional Cabinet.
“The struggle for all Belarusian, for human rights is the cross that you carry throughout your life. . . Here’s another cross for you. Fortunately, it is much lighter than that one,” Cichanoŭskaja said.
Minsk branded Viasna an extremist group in August 2023. The organization’s leaders and activists have been imprisoned on politically motivated charges.
