The democratic opposition in Belarus has been awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought for their peaceful involvement in their country’s future. They are asking for new, free and fair elections after rigged results indicated Lukashenka had been elected president for the 6th time.

Eastern Europe

Sakharov Prize

human rights

Democratic opposition in Belarus awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/3217285/N01-AFPS-201609-SAKC-EN.srt

for their efforts to defend human rights.

On 9 August, Alyaksandr Lukashenka was elected president

for the 6th time, after 26 years in power.

International observers say the poll was rigged.

Since then, Belarusians have been marching peacefully

Every week, they're met with growing violent repression.

"As brutal and ruthless as the government's methods are

of the sustained protests of the Belarusian people.

and the opening of a new chapter in Belarus's history."

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who ran against Lukashenka

and of the Coordination Council of Belarus.

They are pushing for a peaceful transition of power

and for the release of all political prisoners.

"Beside us are thousands of Belarusians who inspire us,

give us strength and hope. Many of them are not here today.

Our courageous women, workers, students, doctors,

teachers, lawyers, writers, journalists and activists,

all of them are in Belarus fighting for our freedom.

more than 26,000 people have been detained

There are currently 156 political prisoners in Belarus.

With this prize, MEPs recognise the courage

of the democratic opposition and keep supporting them