Irish president voices “full support” in meeting with Cichanoŭskaja

May 4, BPN. In a show of solidarity, Irish President Michael Higgins has expressed “full support” for the brave Belarusians who are fighting for their country’s freedom and independence.

Śviatlana Cichanoŭskaja’s office told BPN that she had a warm and friendly meeting with Higgins in Dublin yesterday. They talked about the plight of political prisoners, the harsh prison conditions, and the need to support the Belarusian diaspora. Higgins also shared Ireland’s own experience of struggling for its identity, independence and cultural revival.

“I’m confident that the president of Ireland will be our ally here at home and in the international arena. I really wanted to let him know about our work and our fight for a free Belarus. He heard me,” Cichanoŭskaja said.

She also met with Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin to discuss a sanctions policy against the regime and its supporters, including propagandists, prosecutors and judges responsible for reprisals.

Cichanoŭskaja also invited MPs to join an international coalition of parliamentary groups that would advocate for the Belarusian cause in international organizations. She suggested that Irish MPs establish the Friends of Democratic Belarus parliamentary group.

Two days earlier, Cichanoŭskaja was handed the Tipperary International Peace Award in Ireland. She dedicated the prize to “millions of freedom-loving Belarusians” and said that Belarus and Ireland shared “the thirst for freedom.”