During the plenary session (14-17/12) of the European Parliament in Brussels, the Belarusian Democratic Opposition, represented by several laureates including opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, is awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Extracts from the statements by David SASSOLI, EP President, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and from the ceremony award.

Brussels

plenary session

ceremony

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Sviatlana (BY)

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2020 (T)

Belarusian Democratic Opposition

Sakharov Prize 2020 award: extracts from the ceremony

Title: Sakharov Prize 2020: extracts from the ceremony of award (I-200328)

Interior, David SOSSOLI met the laureats of the Sakharov Prize 2020, (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, We have now the Award ceremony of the Sakharov Prize for 2020, which this year will be awarded to the Democratic opposition in Belarus.

SOUNDBITE (English), David SASSOLI, EP President, Your courage and the strength of your spirit have shown the way to revolution, which has taken power in the country in 2020, and we pay tribute to you and to your resistance and to your perseverance. For us the awarding of the Sakharov Prize is an important moment. Human rights defender and activists for Democracy are a model for us.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, It is true that Belarus is no longer afraid and this is something which the authorities and the government have understood. The Belarusian population has shown, but no authoritarianism can stop the change and there is the opening of a new chapter in your history.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarus opposition candidate to presidential election, What is a better recognition that we are free thinkers? What is a better motivation for us to keep going? We are bound to win and we will win. A simple wish to walk freely in the streets of our cities and towns keeps us going. Desire to celebrate holidays with our families keeps us going. Dream of a better future for belarus' keeps us going. Belarus' with justice and truth prevail, Belarus' that our children can be proud of.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarus opposition candidate to presidential election, Our courageous women workers, students, doctors, teachers, lawyers, writers, journalists and activists of all them are in Belarus fighting for our freedom. It is to them that this Prize belongs.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarus opposition candidate to presidential election, Without free Belarus, Europe is not fully free either. We ask Europe and the whole world to stand with Belarus. We call Europe to be braver in their decision and support the people of Belarus now, not tomorrow, and not someone in the future.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarus opposition candidate to presidential election, Long live Europe, Long live Belarus.