Belarus Opposition Leader celebrates Tipp link
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The Belarus community living in Ireland travelled to Roscrea to acknowledge the support they have received from the Irish people. The town was chosen for this event as Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, exiled winner of last August’s presidential elections in Belarus, spent many summers in the town. Pictured last Friday are: Anna and Art Balenak, Alex Repeka, Noel Deane, Michael Lowry TD, Marion Deane, Henry Deane, Alena Vasilyeva, Dminei Tarasevich, Yuliya Alekseyeva. Photographs: PJ WrightImage 2 of 2
Goodwill gesture: Alena Vasilyeva presents the Belarus flag to the Deanes - Marion and Henry Deane.It was a very special day on Friday, December 18th, in Roscrea when representatives of the Belarus community living in Ireland travelled to the town to acknowledge the support they have received from the Irish people. Roscrea was chosen for this event as Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, exiled winner of last August's presidential elections in Belarus, spent many summers in the town with the well-known Deane family as part of the Chernobyl Project.
Prior to running for Presidential election, Sviatlana, a 37-year-old former teacher, was a stay at home mother with no previous political involvement.
She took the incredibly brave decision to run in the Presidential Election in Belarus when her husband, Sergey, a popular blogger, was imprisoned after he had entered the election campaign. In a very moving video call, Sviatlana expressed her thanks to Ireland for its support for democratic principles and human rights in Belarus.
The flag of the Democratic opposition was presented to the Deanes, with a signed message to the people of Ireland, which read: “To Ireland, which I love forever. To the best family, the Deanes of Roscrea.”
The white, red, white flag is the symbol of the pro-democracy opposition, possession of which has resulted in prison sentences in Belarus.
Henry Deane, who was the Chairman of Chernobyl Lifeline in Roscrea for many years, personally invited Deputy Lowry to the event in recognition of the help he had given him with the Chernobyl Project. Deputy Lowry also had an opportunity to chat online with Sviatlana, who conveyed her thanks to the Irish people during their conversation.
Ms Tsikhanouskaya added: “We appreciate Ireland’s support for the EU statements on the political and civil rights crisis in Belarus. Your support for sanctions against Lukaschenka's regime is also important for us.”
Ms Tsikhanouskaya also expressed her appreciationof the commitment by Thomas Byrne, Minister for European Affairs, who during a video conference with her recently, stated that Ireland will use its voice on the United Nations Security Council to keep the situation in Belarus high on the international agenda.
On August 17th, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, was one of the first Heads of Government to condemn the rigged elections and subsequent repression in Belarus.