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Opposition leader sets up fund to support political prisoners
Pictures of Belarusian political prisoners on display in Vilnius, May 2023
April 30, Pozirk. Belarus’ opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has launched an international fund in support of Belarusian political prisoners, her aide Franak Viačorka told Pozirk.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has announced the transfer of 10 million Norwegian kroner (€850,000) to the fund as he met Cichanoŭskaja in Oslo today.
The fund will support former political prisoners and families of people who suffered from politically-motivated persecution in Belarus by providing medical and psychological help care, rehabilitation and funding opportunities.
Belarusian initiatives that help political prisoners will be in charge of the fund, whose operation is being formalized by the Norwegian foreign ministry, Viačorka said. Governments, international organizations and other donors will be able to contribute.
Cichanoŭskaja came up with the fund’s idea after jailed Belarusian human rights champion Aleś Bialacki was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022.
On April 29, the opposition leader met in Oslo with Norway’s Storting President Masud Gharahkhani and addressed members of the standing parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and defense.