Meeting with Svetlana Tichanovskaja

13.08.21 | News
Svetlana Tikhanovskaja
Photographer
Stortinget
Human rights and violations of democratic rules were on the agenda when Nina Sandberg from the Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region met with Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tichanovskaja at the Norwegian parliament, the Storting.

“The Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region supports the Belarusian people in their demands for democracy, and we condemn the violence against the civilian population,” said Sandberg, the vice chair of the committee, in connection with her meeting this week with Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tichanovskaja at the Norwegian Storting. At the meeting, Sandberg expressed her concern about the situations reported in Belarus and is calling for freedom of the press, the release of political prisoners, and holding to account those committing atrocities. 
 

Focus on human rights

The Nordic Council has met with Tichanovskaja twice in the past year. Also on these occasions, concern was expressed about developments in Belarus and the importance of democratic rules and the upholding of human rights in all countries was stressed. These were again emphasised by Sandberg at this latest meeting. Human rights are a key area in the political work of the Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region, which emphasises the socially disadvantaged, gender equality, and freedom of expression.     
 

 

The Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region supports the Belarusian people in their demands for democracy, and we condemn the violence against the civilian population.

Nina Sandberg, vice chair of the Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region

Tichanovskaja wants support for the opposition

At the meeting, Tichanovskaja expressed her views on developments in Belarus and asked for support for the opposition’s cause. Prior to her visit to the Storting, this summer Tichanovskaja met with US President Joe Biden at the White House, and with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.   
 

Participants at the meeting

In addition to Tichanovskaja, on the Belarusian side, the meeting was attended by Senior Adviser to the Head of the Foreign Policy Department Mr. Franak Viačorka, and Adviser Ms. Hanna Liubakova. In addition to Nina Sandberg, member of the Storting delegation to the Nordic Council, on the Norwegian side, the meeting was attended by parliamentarians Ingjerd Schou, head of the Storting’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and Åsmund Aukrust, member of the Storting’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.