Belarusians in Norway

When Belarusians get in the atmosphere of freedom, it brings excellent results.

A delegation of Belarusian politicians visited Oslo on May 18–19 taking part in a seminar The Road Map to Europe=the Road to Democracy? The event organized by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee was attended by leader of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Andrei Sannikov, head of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka, former political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin, vice president of the International Human Rights Federation and founder of Nasha Vyasna Belarusian human rights center Ales Byalyatski, and public activist Volha Kuzmich.

The seminar focused on the situation in Belarus and on perspectives of its democratization. The Belarusian politicians met with State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway Elisabeth Walaas, members of the ruling labour Party as well as with members of the Conservative and Christian parties.

“Europe has great doubts over the current EU policy towards the Belarusian authorities. There are fears that some European politicians try to cooperate with Lukashenka’s dictatorial regime forgetting about democratic values and human rights. Ready decisions are offered to the Belarusian democratic forces instead of consultations. This can lead to negative effects for Belarus and for the whole Europe,” leader of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Andrei Sannikov told in an interview to the Charter’97 press center.

According to the politician, Norway, though not an EU member, initiated a discussion on EU-Belarus relations as it has always held a principal position concerning human rights.

“The main theme of our conversation was obviously political prisoners Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, Uladzimir Asipenka, going on repressions against the Belarusian opposition, restraint of liberty of the participants of the Process of 14, forceful draft of youth leaders into the army, absence of real freedom of speech, pressure upon NGOs. The Belarusian authorities are likely not to turn to democratization in the country, and political prisoners are the first obstacle on the way of further relations with the Belarusian regime.

Norway has always been principal towards observing human rights, and it is able to influence a position of Europe. Besides, this country is a perspective trade and economic partner, it understands that the Norwegian business won’t be effective in dictatorial Belarus,” Andrei Sannikov noted.

A visit of the Belarusian politicians to Oslo occurred at the same time with victory of Norwegian representative, Belarus born Alexander Rybak, at Eurovision Song Contest.

“We congratulated each other on this common victory at all meetings with Norwegians. Euphoria flies in the air of Oslo. 5 thousand people greeted Rybak at the airport. Some fire trucks sprayed the plane carried the Eurovision winner with water. The bells of Oslo city hall played Fairy Tale song; people in streets were signing this tune. We passed our congratulations to Alexander Rybak on the day of his triumph via the Norwegian Embassy in Moscow. We told our Norwegian friends that when a Belarusian gets in the atmosphere of freedom, it brings excellent results.