Anne Hidalgo: Multimillion Paris supports struggle of Belarusians

An event dedicated to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was held in the Paris City Hall on December 9.

It was organised by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Paris's administration, Viasna human rights centre writes.

Famous French human rights defenders, artists, journalists and sportsmen were invited. The event was attended by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, FIDH President Karim Lahidj and FIDH Vice President Ales Bialiatski.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo welcomed Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialiatski. She recalled that Ales Bialiatski had been granted the title of Honourary Citizen of Paris, but he wasn't able to attend the award ceremony because he was in prison. She said she was happy to see Ales among the people present. “Multimillion Paris supports the struggle for human rights in various countries, also in Belarus,” the Mayor stressed.

Ales Bialiatski called to continue supporting freedom aspirations of the people of Belarus. This time will finally come, he noted. All people of good will are interested in democratic Belarus, a safe and developed European country. “I spent more than two years in prison on the River Berezina, but all who suppress freedom in Belarus, who threw me into prison illegally, who do not allow the people of Belarus to live normally will face the Berezina (the word that means 'disaster' in French after the Battle of Berezina in 1812),” Ales Bialiatski said.