J. Šiugždinienė addressed the EC Commissioner taking into account Aliaksandr Lukashenko forced landing of a civilian plane in Minsk by the regime.
“Sanctions and other measures need time and careful preparation, but some action can be taken now. One example is the EC’s and your recommendation to international sports federations and their organizations to suspend all planned international sports events in Belarus until the country becomes democratic and athletes’ rights to compete in a peaceful and safe environment are guaranteed, “the Minister wrote in a letter to the European Commissioner.
“It simply came to our notice then. In autocratic regimes, o The European Union now unanimously agrees that such a regime works in Belarus, sport is also a tool of power, a way to legitimize the regime in the international community. The achievements of sport unite people all over the world, but they also give dictators the opportunity to gain political confidence in the eyes of their people, ”she said.
According to J. Šiugždinienė, international organizations must support fair policies and fair sports.
In January this year, the International Hockey Federation canceled the World Championships in Minsk. Last week, the European Cycling Union decided to cancel the European Cycling Track Championship, which was due to take place in Belarus in June.
Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė and Lithuanian Cycling Federation proposed to hold this event in Panevėžys.
–
It is not allowed to publish, quote or otherwise reproduce the information of the news agency BNS in the mass media and on the websites without the written consent of UAB “BNS”.
