Iryna Khalip: “It’s Recognition of Belarus’ European Future” :: Charter'97 :: News

“It’s a great honour for me to be among European heroes in Time magazine. It is recognition of a European future for Belarus, among other things,” told the well-known Belarusian journalist Iryna Khalip (Irina Khalip) during the “Hero of Europe” award-giving ceremony in the nomination Brave Heart”. The ceremony was held on October 24 in London. Together with Iryna Khalip, a French journalist from Liberation” newspaper Florence Obenas, kidnapped in Iraq, and a London metro driver who rescued people during the terrorist attacks on July 7, were given the award.

“Here I represent my colleagues many of whom are today in courts, under arrests or underground. Journalists all over the world often become victims since honest journalism is dangerous everywhere. However only in totalitarian states they have to become also freedom fighters,” Iryna Khalip said.

During the speech

“My country today is the last dictatorship in Europe, but my colleagues have already made their truly European choice and Belarus will become truly European very soon. Thank you for your support of our choice and our fight,” the journalist added.

The prize “Hero of Europe” has been founded by the American magazine “Time”. This year a Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, a well-known rock musician and public figure Bob Geldof, a leader of the band U2 Bono, and a renowned Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar have been named “Heroes of Europe”.

By the way, as said by Iryna Khalip to the Charter’97 press center, a legendary rock musician and a famous public figure Bob Geldof told that he had become interested in the situation in Belarus. In a conversation with the Belarusian journalist he told that he is indignant with the existence of Lukashenka’s totalitarian regime in Europe. Besides, Bob Geldof said so at one of his press-conferences in London in presence of Belarus’ official representatives.

Iryna Khalip with Bob Geldof

Iryna Khalip and Pedro Almodovar