How should we respond to Belarus?

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Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen,

Introduction

• First I would like to pay a special tribute to rector Mikhailov at the European Humanities University (EHU) in Vilnius. A university in exile is something extraordinary. A university represents something very European. A cornerstone of democracy and the freedom of speech.
• I am encouraged to see the cooperation between the University of Oslo and the EHU. We must increase that type of support to the Belarusians. Bottom up cooperation. Students exchange and ties. 
• Belarus belongs to the cultural flows of Europe. Belarus is a neighbouring country, a Baltic country we would like to enjoy close relations with, to build Europe with, trade with and show our respect for its sufferings in the last century.
• I was in Vilnius a few days ago for a meeting with my Nordic and Baltic colleagues. Belarus is also an aspiring Baltic country that one day will be part of this Nordic-Baltic cooperation.
• I will warn against looking at Belarus as a synonym to dictatorship. We have to look beyond the regime.  
• Belarusian winter athletes are well known and admired along our own champions. A lot of Norwegians have good friends and colleagues in Belarus, and have enjoyed the hospitality in their homes and working places. Youth activists of all colours and kinds have found mutual companions in our two countries.
• To my mind this is the first image we should put into our head when thinking Belarus.
• Then, unfortunately, we have to fill out the picture with the grim political reality that stops us from developing these images of individual relationships to a more comprehensive bilateral relationship.
• Because unfortunately our 10 million neighbours over there are not in the position to go beyond certain limits to their contacts with us; they cannot hold meetings with whom they like without risk; they cannot write what they like; or speak their voice in the streets.
• They also live in the only European country that still carries out the death sentence. That is a shame.
• Particular example: We saw the latest example of this in March this year when two young men were executed after a court case – that raised far more questions than it answered. No appeal was permitted. The men were executed with remarkable speed - despite the fact that the case was pending before the UN Human Rights Committee.
• General trend: The frequency of arrests and short-term prison sentences is on the rise. Belarus disregards its international obligations as well as Article 8 of its own Constitution, which recognises the supremacy of the principles of international law.
• We see an increasingly isolated regime. And the lack of cooperation with the international community is alarming.

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I What is Norway doing?

• What can Norway do bilaterally? And what can we do in international forums?
• First: Norway increased its support to Belarusian civil society after the disastrous presidential elections in December 2010.
• Our support has been increased significantly over the years, and now amounts to 2.5 million euros per year.
• Most of this aid goes to human rights related activities. Must be done in a sensible way not to expose individuals unnecessarily.
• In addition, Belarus receives assistance through regional projects. We want to alleviate needs and assist those who are being persecuted directly, but we also have an important long-term goal: to invest in a future democratic Belarus.
• Second: Norway has raised the human rights situation in Belarus in the Human Rights Council. We support the EU initiative for a special rapporteur on Belarus.
• Third: We were among the countries that launched the “Moscow mechanism” in the OSCE in response to the abuse suffered by the opposition after the presidential elections in 2010.
• Fourth: Through the Nordic Council of Ministers, we support an information office in Vilnius that runs several projects aimed at strengthening democracy, human rights and civil society in Belarus.    
• However, there is not much Norway can do alone to make the regime listen. Our contacts through trade and tourism are very limited.
• But we fully support and implement the sanctions imposed by the European Union. We are one family with one line. Together, we can exert some pressure. And we do know that the sanctions are being felt by the regime.
• We have no alternative but to pursue this course of action. But it is enough? Should we pursue other avenues as well? (Path of dialogue?). This is challenging. How many sanctions? How much dialogue and open doors?
• It is vital to ensure a united response from all European countries. It is also critical that the situation in Belarus continues to be raised in international organisations at every possible opportunity.
• Norway puts special emphasis on the work under way in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe (where Belarus is the only European country that is not a member) and the United Nations. Not a single week passes without questions concerning Belarus are brought up in these forums, and answers are demanded from Minsk.

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II The upcoming elections

• In just two weeks’ time (23 September), Belarusians are going to the polls in the parliamentary elections.
• Unfortunately there seems to be little prospect of a democratic election in any meaningful way.
• Most of the opposition, such as Alexander Milinkevich, is not allowed to run. It is one example of administrative and legal steps taken to stop the opposition from even running.
• And is represents a challenge: How should we, in another country, respond when elections are not free and fair? How should we deal with a regime that year after year is weakening its legitimacy? Can we, as Europeans in 2012, accept this situation?
• Of course we do not accept it. But we have to admit that there is no simple solution.
• One option is to limit our political contacts. Another is to impose targeted sanctions and restrictions on travel and trade. Or a combination of the two.
• How do we strike the balance? We do not want to punish the ordinary citizens of Belarus.
• Finding the right balance is such a delicate question that even the Belarusian opposition is divided on it. Should they boycott the elections or should they participate?
• Norway’s contribution to the elections will be to provide election observers as well as to support local observers through Belarus Watch.

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III Teddy bears and civil society

• President Lukashenko has been rattled by the recent “teddy bear” incident.
• But no fundamental changes for the better can be expected as a direct consequence.
• Nevertheless, the regime’s reaction has had consequences for its relations with the EU.
• Since December 2010 and during this year’s diplomatic crises we have seen a more unified Europe. And the expulsion of the Swedish Ambassador has not been accepted.
• Norway has aligned itself with the current sanctions, and will support future additions to these.
• Once again, I would like to underline that such measures need to be carefully calibrated to target the regime, not the people, of Belarus.

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IV The exile university in Vilnius

• As pointed out earlier, it is important to continue to invest in a future democratic Belarus.
• We believe that the best way of doing this in today’s situation is to provide the European Humanities University in Vilnius with the long-term financial support it needs to guarantee its future.
• It is a strategy with several dimensions. First, supporting the EHU is a way of ensuring high class education to Belarusians. Secondly, the EHU is a strong symbol of the struggle for a future democratic Belarus.       
• To my knowledge, Belarus is the only country in the world with a university in exile. [The University offers courses within the fields of political science, law, philosophy, media and journalism. There are a total of 1850 students at the EHU, 700 of whom are in Vilnius.]
• Unfortunately, the EHU University in Vilnius cannot plan for a return to Minsk in the foreseeable future.
• Many of the EHU’s students go back to Belarus. And they take with them a strong academic basis for starting their professional lives.
• However, many of them, particularly those trained in the social sciences, media studies and journalism, will face difficult challenges.
• Because we know that independent and critical journalism is under severe pressure in Belarus. Journalists are frequently harassed, threatened and imprisoned. Consequently, many practice self-censorship.
• Others take huge risks trying to keep people informed and present alternative ideas. They know that freedom of expression is not only a fundamental right in itself, but also essential for the realisation of other fundamental rights and freedoms, such as freedom of assembly and the right to access to information.
• They are demonstrating a remarkable sense of responsibility in promoting these rights and freedoms under such conditions.
• Let me make this very clear: We greatly admire these brave men and women.
• I would also like take the opportunity here at the University of Oslo, to announce our intention to further increase Norway’s support to the European Humanities University. I look forward to discussing the details with the University’s Board later today.   

 

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Conclusion

• We have to remind ourselves that Belarus is part of Europe – despite the fact that it is so different to the rest of Europa today.
• Our Belarusian brothers and sisters deserve the same human rights, democratic standards and rule of law that we take for granted.        
• Europe cannot afford a Belarus without a prospect of a democratic future much longer.
• We therefore intend to help you lay the foundation for a truly democratic Belarus.
• Thank you.

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