Public discussion with Belarusian opposition leader Andrei Sannikov and journalist Irina Khalip
Amnesty International and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee will jointly organize a public discussion with Belarusian opposition leader Andrei Sannikov and his wife, journalist Irina Khalip. This event will take place Tuesday, March 25, at the offices of the Netherlands Helsinki Committee in The Hague.
Andrei Sannikov was one of the main opposition candidates in the 2010 presidential elections in Belarus. After the elections, he was arrested by use of excessive force while peacefully protesting against the fraudulent election results. Sannikov was subsequently accused of organizing and participating in ‘mass violent protests’ and faced a five-year prison sentence. Sannikov ended up spending 16 months in prison in mentally and physically extremely challenging circumstances. During this period, Amnesty International considered him a prisoner of conscience. Sannikov was released on April 12, 2012.
Irina Khalip was arrested, detained for over a month, then submitted to house arrest and eventually convicted to a suspended prison sentence when she reported on the 2010 elections.
Sannikov and Khalip are visiting the Netherlands in the framework of the Movies that Matter film festival, which will show the documentary Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements of Belarus. Find more information about the documentary and about the times and locations of the screenings here.
During the meeting on March 25, Andrei Sannikov and Irina Khalip will discuss the current situation in Belarus and what international action they believe is necessary to improve the human rights situation in their country. This will be followed by a discussion with the public. The language of the event is English.
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Time: 14.30 – 16.00
Location: Netherlands Helsinki Committee, Laan van Meerdervoort 70, The Hague
The event is open to the public, but prior registration by email is required. To register or for more information, please contact Ms Christie Miedema at C.Miedema(@)amnesty.nl.
Because of the Nuclear Security Summit that will be held in The Hague on March 24 and 25, we strongly advise you to travel to The Hague not by car but by train. The NHC office is easily accessible by public transport from the main railway stations.
From The Hague Central Station take tram 17 (direction Statenkwartier) and get off at Van Speijkstraat or take bus 24 (direction Kijkduin) and get off at Laan van Meerdervoort. From train station The Hague HS/Hollands Spoor take tram 17 (direction Statenkwartier) and get off at Van Speijkstraat.
