Belarusian opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaia, October 7, 2020 in Germany.

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AFP

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was in front of French MPs on Wednesday.

During her speech, the leader of the Belarusian opposition called on France to help her fellow citizens who are victims of political repression and to support the independent media in her country.

“Help the Belarusian people, help avoid violence and civil conflict!

Help to emerge from this crisis in a dignified manner, help us to conduct free and fair elections, ”she said during a videoconference hearing before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.

If she reiterated her call to "put pressure" on President Lukashenko, whose re-election on August 9 is highly contested, she also insisted on concrete aid to demonstrators who were victims of repression.

A humanitarian corridor for injured protesters

"Sanctions are very important but they are not enough", she underlined while asking for an "enlargement of the list" of Belarusian officials targeted by European Union sanctions for their involvement in the repression of the opposition.

"We need help for civil society, for people who take to the streets to demonstrate at the risk of their lives," insisted Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, opponent of Alexander Lukashenko in the presidential election and now a refugee in Lithuania.

"We have a lot of people who have suffered violence and who need medical help," she said, pleading for the establishment of a "humanitarian corridor" to this end to the countries of the EU.

To be "more courageous"

She also asked for help for "independent journalists", who no longer have accreditation and cover protests at their own risk.

"It would be precious to have some help from you in this direction," she insisted.

The "solidarity funds" for political prisoners, demonstrators who have lost their jobs, those who have had to leave their country, students expelled from universities "can help us", she also pointed out.

Citing the example of EU countries like Lithuania and Poland, she also invited France to welcome Belarusian students pursued in their country so that they can continue their studies abroad.

"We must be more courageous in your aid proposals and we must be united, support the initiatives of other countries of the European Union", underlined the opponent.

Members invited to make the trip

“We have always admired the courage of the French people and their political culture.

Today, the Belarusian people are also demonstrating their courage, ”she said, thanking France and its president for their“ invaluable help ”.

President Emmanuel Macron promised, during a meeting with the opponent on September 29 in Vilnius, to help the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) mediate the Belarusian political crisis.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa also invited French parliamentarians to go to Minsk to see the demonstrations with their own eyes.

"It is not dangerous for foreigners" to go to Belarus and that would send a "strong signal of support", she assured.

" That can not continue "

On the République en Marche side, the deputy Anne Gentet expressed the "solidarity of the French people" in the face of this "wall of violence".

“You play as those who can bring down the last dictatorship in Europe!

», She launched.

“You have strong words, those of a people on the move.

When a people moves, they decide!

“, Added Didier Quentin for Les Républicains.

Communist deputy Jean-Paul Lecoq, drawing a parallel between "the repression of demonstrations in France, yellow vests" and that "much more violent" in Belarus, replied: "In both cases it is not acceptable!

".

We must "dare to say to those who cross the lines and enslave the people that this cannot go on!"

», He hammered.

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