The democratic opposition of Belarus represented by the Coordination Council and number of opposition figures including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, will be nominated by the EPP Group for this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought – the prize which honours those who, like Andrei Sakharov, dedicate their lives to fighting for fundamental and human rights. “The whole…
Martin Banks interviews Olivier Védrine Chief Editor of the Russian Monitor about Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also speaks about the case of Alexei Anatolievich Navalny, a Russian politician and anti-corruption activist who came to international prominence by organising demonstrations, and running for office, to advocate reforms against corruption in Russia, Russian President Putin, and…
We publish here in full an open letter signed by the 8 MEPs: Manfred Weber, Sandra Kalniete, David McAllister, Andrius Kubilius, Michael Gahler, Miriam Lexmann, Andrzej Halicki, Radosław Sikorski, “Belarusians supporting democracy who long for change are the moral victors of yesterday’s election. The result is clear: the majority of Belarus voted against Mr Lukashenko and in…
The result of an election in Belarus is usually a foregone conclusion, but the run-up to polling day is rarely dull, and this year has certainly been no exception. Presidential elections are due to be held in Belarus on Sunday 9 August. Already since June there have been ongoing street protests by opposition democratic parties…
Journalism is more dangerous – and more under threat – than at any point in the last decade, according to a report by the globally respected international group, Reporters Without Borders (RWB). Both freedom of speech and information serve as indicators of freedom in society. But journalists, correspondents and reporters, even those who do not…
A new nuclear power plant, thought to be the newest in the world, is set to become operational in Belarus this summer, despite continuing fierce opposition from neighbouring Lithuania. The facility, called Astravyets, just 45 kilometres from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and is set to go online this month with one principle aim being to…
In the European Union, with the Green Deal aiming to make the continent ‘climate neutral’ by 2050, low-carbon technology in transport will be key to reducing emissions. A Belarusian electric bus manufacturer has caught the attention of transport authorities in the UK, Poland and Spain with its innovative electrical system. BKM Holding is a tram,…
The EPP Group in the European Parliament is calling for more “tangible engagement” between the EU and Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus. Amongst others, it calls for the abolition of cell phone roaming fees in the Eastern Partnership countries and between the EU and these countries. “More than ever, today and beyond 2020,…
Civil Liberties MEPs have backed two agreements with Belarus to facilitate the return of persons without the right to stay and the issue of visas for short trips. These texts have been under negotiation for 5 years. In a remote voting session, the Civil Liberties Committee endorsed the readmission agreement with 54 votes to 13….
