Latvia will continue to support Belarus' democratic efforts - PM Silina

RIGA - Latvia will continue to support Belarus' democratic efforts and opposition and strongly condemns the repressions carried out by Alexander Lukashenko's regime against Belarus' people, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) said Monday during a meeting with leader of the Belarusian democratic movement, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

The prime minister said that Belarus' ruling regime does not represent the Belarusian people and that Latvia will provide practical assistance to support the efforts of Belarus' democratic opposition to document and prove violations of human rights in Belarus. Also, Latvia will remain a safe place for Belarus' independent journalists. As for Belarus' ruling regime, Latvia demands the release of all the approximately 1,500 political prisoners. 

Silina and Tsikhanouskaya discussed the provision of further political and other support to the democratic opposition in Belarus.

The prime minister condemned the actions of the Lukashenko regime in carrying out hybrid operations on Latvia's external border and in deporting Ukrainian children. Silina also confirmed that Latvia would continue to support the international isolation of the Belarusian regime and the strengthening of sanctions.

As reported, the leader of the Belarusian democratic movement, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, is in Latvia on a working this Monday and Tuesday to draw attention to the growing repressions by the Lukashenko regime and to discuss ways to further support the Belarusian democratic movement.