Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to pay visit to Estonia

TALLINN - Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is to pay a visit to Estonia and take part in a virtual session of the UN Security Council on media freedom in Belarus.

While in Estonia, Tsikhanouskaya will take part in an Arria-formula virtual session of the UN Security Council on media freedom in Belarus, spokespeople for the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The session will be organized by Estonia. The purpose of the meeting is to draw attention to the unjustified detention of Belarusian journalists and other activities threatening the freedom of the media, which have been implemented by the Belarusian government since the presidential elections on August 9, 2020.

Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression, Pavel Latushko, member of the presidium of the Coordination Council of Belarus and head of the National Anti-crisis Management, Gareth Brown, a journalist for The Times, and a journalist for the Belarusian independent media will speak at the event.

Tsikhanouskaya will also meet with Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, Prime Minister Juri Ratas and Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu. She will also take part in a public session of the foreign affairs committee of the Riigikogu.