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Saturday, 06 February 2021 (YJC)_ The German chancellor has condemned the ongoing repression of protesters in Belarus said the protesters won’t be forgotten.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for an end to repression of the democratic movement in Belarus.
Authorities in Belarus have cracked down on protests since August, as people march against President Alexander Lukashenko.
"Germany and the European Union will continue to hold those responsible for the ongoing human rights violations in Belarus to account," Merkel said in her weekly podcast on Saturday.
In November, the European Union imposed sanctions on Lukashenko and other government officials in Belarus.
Merkel expressed support to the peaceful protesters in Belarus, describing their democratic movement as "admirable perseverance against electoral fraud."
Protesters in Belarus have repeatedly marched against Lukashenko since he claimed a landslide victory in August, with the opposition accusing him of electoral fraud.
"The calculation by those in power seemed to be that the world would forget these brave people. We cannot let that happen," Merkel added.
Merkel also announced further measures that Germany would start offering to Belarusians in humanitarian need, including easier access to visas, scholarships and support to independent media.
"This will not decide the conflict between rights and repression [in] Belarus," she said. "But it shows the brave people there that we're on their side and are listening, today, just as half a year ago."
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