Pedro Sánchez reiterates Spain's solidarity with Belarusian society and its support for a democratic transition in Belarus

Pedro Sánchez and Svetlana Tijanóvskaya addressed the opposition leader's plans for a democratic transition and the situation of political prisoners.

The President of the Government reiterated his respect for the sovereignty of Belarus, Spain's commitment to and solidarity with civil society, his call for a cessation to the violence of the regime of Alexandr Lukashenko, and for the immediate release of people arbitrarily incarcerated, along with the establishment of responsibilities for the serious human rights violations.

The President of the Government conveyed a message of support for the democratic cause in Belarus. "Our position is firm: we support the sanctions against Alexandr Lukashenko and his regime, including the new economic sanctions, the release of political prisoners, accountability for the systematic human rights violation, inclusive national dialogue and free and fair elections overseen by the international community".

During their phone call, Pedro Sánchez expressed to Svetlana Tijanóvskaya "his deepest personal solidarity" since the opposition leader is exiled in Lithuania, and her husband, the activist Serguei Tijanovski, has been imprisoned by the Belarusian regime since 2020. "I wish to pass on the admiration of the Spanish people on your dignified leadership and that of many women, students, workers and citizens of Minsk and other cities, that come out to demonstrate every weekend, despite the increase in violence, which is becoming worse and is unacceptable to Europeans", stressed the President of the Government.

Svetlana Tijanóvskaya, who collected the Sakharov Prize 2020 for the Freedom of Thought on Monday in Brussels, bestowed by the European Union for those who defend human rights around the world, thanked Pedro Sánchez for Spain's commitment to the society of her country and its democratic future.

Non official translation