Фото: Офис Тихановской
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the European Parliament on September 29 at the second EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum, organized by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. The forum brings together members of national parliaments, representatives of civil society and international organizations, Tsikhanouskaya’s Office reported.
In her speech, Tsikhanouskaya discussed threats to democracy, foreign interference and disinformation, the role of civil society, and support for Ukraine and Belarus’s democratic forces.
The leader of Belarus’s democratic forces called on European countries to maintain sanctions against Russia and the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka, and to continue supporting Ukraine.
“I know that sometimes there is a temptation to make deals with dictators—Putin, Lukashenka and others. But dictators see weakness as an invitation. We must have no illusions. Dictators understand only the language of strength. And democracies must be ready to show their teeth.
We must maintain sanctions against Russia and Lukashenka. But at the same time, we must strengthen society. Military strength alone is not enough. We need people who are ready to defend their values,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
Tsikhanouskaya urged European democracies not to take freedom for granted and to continue strengthening civil society and democratic institutions.