Cichanoŭskaja discusses possible UN hearing on Belarus with senior U.S. official

November 21, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja discussed a possible hearing on Belarus at the UN Security Council with Bonnie Jenkins, the U.S. under secretary of state for arms control and international security, Cichanouskaja’s press office told BPN.

Belarusian politician informed Jenkins about the equipment that Belarusian authorities have sent to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. She also stressed the need for sanctions on Belarus’ military-industrial complex.

The meeting took place in Canada’s Ottawa, where Cichanoŭskaja is staying until November 23. In her speech at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum, she stressed the importance of independent media and urged Google and Facebook to support opposition activists and independent journalists.

“Tech companies could help Belarus more by blocking [Belarusian authorities’] censorship and supporting independent content,” she said, noting that Google could introduce Belarusian on YouTube.

Cichanoŭskaja is also scheduled to meet with Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, members of both houses of the Canadian parliament, Belarusians living in Canada, and Ivonka Survilla, president of the Belarusian Democratic Republic in exile.