The Prime Minister Meets With Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ales Bialiatski
On Monday, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė met with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, founder and head of the human rights organisation “Viasna”, Ales Bialiatski. The meeting at the Government focused on the human rights situation in Belarus, issues of regime accountability, and measures for increasing international pressure on Minsk.
“I am glad that you are free again – through your personal story and many years of work you are an example of resilience and of preserving human dignity even in the most difficult circumstances. I can assure you that Lithuania stands ready to provide comprehensive assistance and will continue to support efforts to secure the release of all political prisoners in Belarus,” said Prime Minister Ruginienė.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the organisation “Viasna”, which is marking its 30th anniversary this month, in documenting and publicising human rights violations in Belarus, drawing global attention to repression in the country, and seeking accountability for the Minsk regime.
Lithuania’s position remains consistent: political repression in Belarus must cease, and all political prisoners must be released.
Mr Bialiatski, who was released in December last year, is one of the most prominent leaders of Belarusian civil society. He has been repeatedly persecuted and imprisoned for his work defending human rights and civil liberties in Belarus, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022.