{"id":157071,"date":"2025-09-25T12:48:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T09:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/157071\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"cichanouskajas-aide-dialogue-and-pressure-could-help-free-regime-critics","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/157071\/","title":{"rendered":"Cichano\u016dskaja\u2019s aide: dialogue and pressure could help free regime critics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Alaksandar Dabravolski\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Pozirk)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

September 25, Pozirk<\/em>. <\/strong>A strategy combining dialogue with pressure may help secure the release of jailed Belarusian activists, Alaksandar Dabravolski, senior political aide to Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja, has told journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He made this remark as the Lithuanian Seimas prepared to open a photo exhibition marking the 63rd birthday of jailed Belarusian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ale\u015b Bialacki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf dictators only understand the language of force, then it is both possible and necessary to engage with them, while simultaneously applying strong pressure. Dialogue and pressure must go hand in hand,\u201d Dabravolski stressed, commenting on efforts to secure Bialacki\u2019s release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPressure can take many forms, but dictatorships and dictators need to understand that their lives will become difficult if they continue to act with impunity and violate human rights,\u201d the politician added, noting that rights abuses must be punished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viasna Human Rights Center\u2019s head Bialacki, his associates Valancin Stefanovi\u010d and U\u0142adzimir \u0141abkovi\u010d have been held behind bars in Belarus since July 2021. In March 2023, they were sentenced to 10, nine and seven years, respectively, on charges widely seen as politically motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, Bialacki was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (he shares the award with human rights organizations Memorial, Russia, and Center for Civil Liberties, Ukraine).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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