Visit by Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA amid a continuing geopolitical crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border. The Belarusian dictatorial regime has been funnelling migrants primarily from the Middle East to the country’s border with the EU, and in particular Poland, as revenge for EU-imposed sanctions.

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - Belarus (T)

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

TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Sviatlana (BY)

Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarusian opposition leader at the European Parliament: arrival, welcome and meeting with David SASSOLI, EP President

<a href="../604a3e95-e590-42f6-a936-bad395a81aa7/entries/0">Cutaways with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarusian opposition leader in EP buildings, Strasbourg, France, 24/11/2021, (4 shots)</a>

<a href="../604a3e95-e590-42f6-a936-bad395a81aa7/entries/1">Cutaways David SASSOLI, EP president meeting Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarusian opposition leader in EP buildings, Strasbourg, France, 24/11/2021, (5 shots)</a>

<a href="../604a3e95-e590-42f6-a936-bad395a81aa7/entries/1">Cutaways Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarusian opposition leader in the chamber, Strasbourg, France, 24/11/2021, (11 shots)</a>

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, More than a year on from the elections where the European Union did not recognize the results, Belarus continues to violate the rights of its citizens to silence civil societies voice to use repression as a daily weapon. The regime didn't hesitate to use men, women and children who needed protection, putting their lives in danger. Without any respect for fundamental human rights. Just in order to destabilize the European Union, we would stress again today in this house the values of the Union are not for sale, and this parliament calls other institutions to to be up to defending the fundamental rights.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarusian opposition leader, We need Europe to be more proactive when facing autocracy. The clich&eacute; about Belarus being "the last dictatorship of Europe" is, in a way, misleading. Dictatorship does not have natural geographical limits. It spreads if it is not stopped. Dictatorships, after all, can be compared to a virus infecting the body. We all know that the more disease is ignored, the more difficult it is to treat it in the future. It&rsquo;s now clear to the whole world that waiting and seeing is not the right strategy to address the virus. Action is crucial. To successfully overcome a virus a three-part strategy can help. First, isolation to prevent its spread. Second, treatment to remove its negative effects. And last but not least, the immunity which allows keeping the body in good shape. The same strategies can be applied by Europe when dealing withthe virus of dictatorship in Belarus.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA,  Belarusian opposition leader, When we talk about European sanctions against the regime, let me assure you: sanctions DO work. Continue holding a consistent sanction policy. Sanctions split the elites, destroy corruption schemes, and divide people around Lukashenka. As no one wants to share the responsibilities for the regime's crimes

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarusian opposition leader, New ambassadors to Belarus should not be appointed, nor should anyone who respects freedom, human rights, and the rule of law receive the regime&rsquo;s ambassadors. We also should not invite its representatives to international gatherings, sports, or cultural events. Suspend the regime&rsquo;s membership in Interpol. This would send a signal that abuses will no longer be tolerated.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarusian opposition leader, Let&rsquo;s make sure all the evidence of the regime's crimes will lay on the table of the international tribunal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarusian opposition leader, Belarusian opposition leader, Do not let the regime manipulate the migrants smuggling in order to obscure the human rights catastrophe inside the country. Both Belarusians and migrants are now hostages of the regime. And these two problems cannot be solved separately. Remember, to cure the virus we need to treat the problem at its root, not just the symptoms

SOUNDBITE (English), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Belarusian opposition leader, Today I brought a response from them to you -- &ldquo;Freedom Postcards&rdquo;made by political prisoners in their letters. They feel your support, my dearfriends. So as millions of Belarusians who are sincerely grateful to you and all the members of the European Parliament for your firm position

SOUNDBITE (Russian), Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA,  Belarusian opposition leader, Жыве Беларусь! Жыве Еўропа! Long live Belarus and long live Europe!