Theme of the day of 8 September 2006

Alaksyandr Milinkevich - the EPP-ED Candidate for Sacharov Prize

The EPP-ED Group decided on support of the candidature of Alaksyandr Milinkevich from Belarus for the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize 2006.

Irish MEP Simon Coveney outlined the reasons behind the nomination: "Alaksyandr Milinkevich is the leader of the main political opposition grouping in Belarus and a strong advocate for democracy. The Sakharov Prize is important both for the cause of democracy in Belarus, but also for the personal safety of Mr Milinkevich, who faces continuous harassment from the Lukashenko regime. He has been detained on numerous occasions and has been arrested and sentenced to prison terms. In April of this year he was jailed for 15 days for taking part in an 'unsanctioned rally'

The Sacharov Prize for freedom of thought is awarded since 1988 and will be handed out in december.



Press releases

07/09/2006:	Sakharov Prize - EPP-ED Group backs Milinkevich for the 2006 award. Simon Coveney MEP
27/04/2006:	Belarus: Hans-Gert Poettering condems arrests of Belarussian opposition leaders
04/04/2006:	Alexandr Milinkevich, Belarus opposition leader to attend EPP-ED Group meeting on Thursday in Strasbourg. Hans-Gert Poettering MEP
08/11/2005:	Belarus - Presidential elections in 2006- Democratic forces have potential to increase their popularity in the upcoming campaigns. Aldis Kuskis MEP and Árpád Duka Zólyomi MEP

Link:
EPP-ED website on Human Rights

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