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Latvia expresses firm support to the Belarusian people in their demand to respect democracy and hold a new, free and fair presidential election, emphasised Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, at the video conference of the speakers of parliaments of the Baltic states and Nordic countries (NB8) on Tuesday, 22 September. The conference was also attended by the Belarusian presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Discussing political prisoners in 21^st century Europe is truly unsettling. Together we must demand that the Belarusian authorities release the illegally detained persons and stop the intimidation and forced exile of the members of the Coordination Council of Belarus. Mūrniece stressed the need for promoting a dialogue between the authorities and the civil society of Belarus.

Mūrniece also urged the European Union (EU) to sanction, as soon as possible, the persons, including Alexander Lukashenko, who were responsible for tampering with election results and the appalling violence against peaceful protesters. At the same time, restrictions imposed by the EU must not have a negative impact on the Belarusian people, said the Speaker of the Saeima.

Latvia has already imposed national restrictive measures against 30 Belarusian officials. The Belarusian civil society and independent journalists need our support. Latvia is already providing medical and psychological assistance to the Belarusian people who have suffered violence following the election, underlined Mūrniece.

The Speaker of the Saeima emphasised that on 18 August the Saeima adopted a Statement on the presidential election in Belarus, calling to immediately discontinue the use of force and persecution, release all political prisoners and the persons who were illegally detained during peaceful protests. The Saeima has also urged to start immediate dialogue with the opposition and civil society and to hold a new and fair presidential election, ensuring the presence of international observers.

The NB8 format brings together five Nordic countries – Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden – and the three Baltic States – Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

Saeima Press Service