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14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 DECEMBER 2020 SAKHAROV PRIZE FOR FREEDOM OF THOUGHT THE 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was this week awarded to the democratic opposition in Belarus, a coali- tion of brave activists who have taken the initiative to stand up against the totalitari- an system controlling the country. The prize, awarded by the European Par- liament, was received by Svetlana Tsikha- nouskaya on behalf of the Coordination Council, a body set up by the political op- position to facilitate a transfer of power in Belarus, and other democratic opposition representatives. "An invisible wall of fear had been built around us," she told European lawmak- ers in her acceptance speech. "But this year, united, we believe that this wall of fear could be taken down, brick by brick. The dream of a better Belarus keeps us going. "We call on Europe to be braver in their decisions and support the people of Belarus now – not tomorrow and not somewhere in the future. Without a free Belarus, Europe is not truly free. Long live Europe, long live Belarus!" Civil unrest Currently, the situation in Belarus is em- bedded in civil unrest amidst the elector- al election results, which saw Alexander Lukashenko keep his seat as president. The tyrannical leader has maintained his firm hand on the Belarusian society throughout his 26 year old reign, making him the long- est elected president in EU history. Alongside accusations of electoral fraud, torture and corruption, Lukashenko and his associates are thought to have illegally misappropriated an estimated $10 billion, according to a journalistic investigation on Belarus. His landslide win over his clos- est rival, Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, has prompted numerous assertions of elec- tion fraud, with Lukashenko shrugging these allegations off and calling it business as usual, despite punitive police violence towards opposition supporters, arrests of journalists and activists, internet shut- downs, 'disappeared' citizens and wide- spread accusations of torture. So far, four people have died, hundreds have been injured and close to 7,000 peo- ple have been arrested amidst protests. Thousands of workers have come out on strike, further plummeting the socio-eco- nomic situation in Belarus. Furthermore, the mishandling of the coronavirus out- rage has added more fuel to the fire, lead- ing to some of the largest protests in the history of independent Belarus. Lukashenko's response was indifferent – "Until you kill me, there will be no other election" – upholding his tyrannical ex- ploits. A peaceful protest in August was met with police officials using tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to dis- perse and control the 100,000 Belarusian protesters. The Russia factor The Belarusian opposition is looking for free and fair elections, not to sever ties with Russia. Though while the protesters are not aim- ing to set up an anti-Moscow movement, a socio-political change in Belarus could serve as encouragement for simmering protests in south-eastern Russia. Amidst an evolving economic crisis, and the coronavirus pandemic, Russian presi- dent Vladimir Putin's popularity has sunk- en to a record low. Recent consti tutional changes, which could allow him to stay in power until 2036, have further challenged Russians' patience. Despite Lukashenko's recent anti-Rus- sian rhet oric, and the arrest of alleged Russian mercenaries, accusing them of 'plotting terrorism', Minsk is still seen as the less er evil for Moscow. Putin has re- peatedly underscored the 'inadmissibility' of foreign 'interference' in Belarus. In truth, Putin has constantly pushed for a Union State with Belarus, even though Lukashenko has shown nothing but re- luctance. So far, Putin confirmed Russia's 'readiness to provide necessary assistance in ironing out emerging problems'. There is reportedly increased military movement, with columns of unmarked trucks, on Russia's side of the Belarusian border. Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, alleged that the EU is on the verge of intervening in Belarus, claiming that "this is about geopolitics, the fight for the post-Soviet space". Lukashenko added on by saying that "Pu- tin and I agreed: Belarus is first, Russia is next in line. This is a springboard, and we must destroy it". 'Without a free Belarus, Europe is not truly free' Why the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought remains a beacon of the EU's commitment to human rights and peace