Bialiatski Met with Lithuanian Prime Minister and Other Officials. Among the Topics — the Possibility of Taking Driver's License Exams in Belarusian
Nobel laureate and former political prisoner Ales Bialiatski held a meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Rugienienė during a visit to Vilnius.
Photo: Viasna
Bialiatski also met with Juozas Olekas, Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania, Uladzislau Kandratovich, Minister of Internal Affairs, Audra Plepytė, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other representatives of the Lithuanian authorities. He was also accompanied by Tsikhanouskaya's advisor Dzianis Kuchynski.
“The meetings focused on issues that directly affect the lives of thousands of Belarusians: support for political prisoners and their families, assistance to civil society, as well as conditions for Belarusians currently living in Lithuania,” Kuchynski told Nasha Niva, detailing the meetings. “It is important that the discussion was not only about principles but also about practical solutions.
Among the concrete results is an agreement on the possibility of taking driver's license exams in Belarusian, which was reached at the meeting with the Lithuanian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) (incidentally, the meeting with the minister and his team lasted about an hour and was entirely in Belarusian, as both the minister and his advisor are fluent in Belarusian).”
The future of the European Humanities University was also discussed.
“No less important was the issue of the development of Belarusian organizations and initiatives in Lithuania — the Viasna Human Rights Center, Belarusian House, Belarusian Gymnasium, and other cultural, social, and educational projects. These institutions currently form the space of Belarusian presence and identity abroad.
A separate block of discussions was dedicated to increasing pressure on the Lukashenka regime. Lithuania continues to maintain a principled and leading position on this issue, and this is of real importance. Consistent international pressure remains the key factor that can force the regime to change,” Kuchynski added.
Bialiatski and Kuchynski also met with Laurynas Kasčiūnas, the leader of Lithuania's Conservative Party.
Photo: Viasna
“He called Ales Bialiatski a true hero, a symbol of resilience and moral authority. During the conversation, a wide range of issues was discussed: from the internal situation in Belarus to hybrid threats in the region and the importance of supporting Belarusians in Lithuania.
Informational challenges and attempts by the regime to impose artificial and divisive narratives about the Belarusian community were also specifically addressed, including the topic of so-called “Litvinism”. It was important to emphasize: these constructs do not reflect the real priorities of Belarusians and are used as a tool for manipulation and discredit.”
Ales Bialiatski emphasized that Viasna and other Belarusian organizations continue their work, despite obstacles from the regime.
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