Belarus 2015: geopolitics trump democratic values?
Belarus has recently been in the spotlight, mostly as the site of negotiations between warring sides in Ukraine. But 2015 will be significant as the year of Belarusian presidential elections, as well. Belarusian activists are also pessimistic about the upcoming Universal Periodic Review on Belarus by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Independent media still face numerous challenges and restrictions while the overall political environment is not changing either.
Nonetheless, due to geopolitical turbulence in the region, Belarusian authorities have more opportunities for the upcoming Eastern Partnership in Riga as well as progress to show in cooperation with the transatlantic community. Is it a real opportunity, or just another show? Is there anything to celebrate on Belarusian Freedom Day, March 25?
These and other questions will be addressed by Belarusian experts, including EHU political scientist Tatsiana Chulitskaya at a discussion called “2015 in Belarus: When Geopolitics Trump Democratic Values” at the European Information Office of the Lithuanian Parliament (Building 3, Gedimino 53) on March 25 at 2:00 p.m.
The language of the event will be Russian and English, with Lithuanian interpreters.
Featured speakers will include:
- Tatsiana Chulitskaya, PhD, Lecturer at European Humanities University
- Tatsiana Reviaka, President of the Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House
- Andrei Aliaksandrau, Deputy Director of BelaPAN News Agency
Organizers:
- The Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House
- Youth Association “StudAlliance”
- Freedom House
- European Humanities University
- The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung office in Vilnius