The delegation of the Belarusian democratic forces, formed from members of the Coordination Council, completed an intensive working week at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), engaging in political groups and committees and holding numerous bilateral and individual meetings.
The delegation of the Belarusian democratic forces to PACE comprises Vladzimir Astapenka, Pavel Latushka, Kseniya Lutskina, Evgeny Andreichyk, Alexandra Mamaeva and Hanna Skryhan.
The delegation successfully held its regular briefings for political groups on the situation in Belarus. These briefings are an essential part of the delegation’s work, providing an opportunity for parliamentarians to devote their time and attention specifically to Belarus and the Belarusian people.
The delegation also continued its work in PACE committees. Belarus featured particularly prominently on the agenda of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media during this session. Polish Member of Parliament Agnieszka Pomaska is preparing a report and resolution entitled “Addressing Culture as a Foundation for the Democratisation of Belarus”, setting out recommendations for the Council of Europe’s 46 member states on how to support Belarusian culture both in exile and within Belarus.
On 1 October, the rapporteur presented the initial findings of her work.
“The future of Belarusian culture matters not only for democracy. It also matters for the future of a democratic, independent and secure Europe. It is important not merely to protect individual artists or institutions facing repression. We must help preserve Belarusian culture both within Belarus and beyond its borders,” she emphasised.
Representatives of the Coordination Council held a series of substantive bilateral meetings with national delegations. During discussions with the Ukrainian delegation, both sides agreed to support each other in advancing their countries’ national interests and to make every effort to accelerate the ratification of the instruments establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The Tribunal is intended to hold senior officials responsible for the aggression accountable.
Separate meetings were held with the German and Polish delegations, as well as with the delegation of Monaco. For the first time, the delegation met with Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Monaco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
Particular attention should also be given to the exceptionally substantive meeting with Ambassador Alexandre Stutzmann, the newly appointed Head of the European Union Delegation to the Council of Europe.
PACE provides a unique platform. In a single day, it is possible to meet parliamentarians from all 46 Council of Europe member states, discuss issues on the Belarusian and broader European agendas, and establish new avenues for cooperation. The delegation is actively working towards establishing a “For a Democratic Belarus” group within PACE.
All these efforts are aimed at keeping Belarus firmly on the European agenda, ensuring that Europe does not forget Belarusian political prisoners and their families, or those who have been forced to leave their homeland and continue their struggle for the future.
