Belarus Activist Kolesnikova Receives Charlemagne Prize in Germany

Belarusian opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova received the International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany, a recognition awarded in 2022 while she was imprisoned in Belarus. The ceremony highlighted her bravery and commitment to promoting democracy and human rights within the country, despite facing significant political repression.

Kolesnikova’s acceptance of the prize, delivered in absentia due to her continued imprisonment, underscores the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression and democratic values in Belarus. Sources report that during her five years of imprisonment, Kolesnikova engaged in a remarkable personal pursuit – reading approximately 700 books, including works by Shakespeare, Goethe, and Hannah Arendt – demonstrating her resilience and intellectual engagement. This act of reading, shared by her lawyer, further highlights her commitment to personal growth and resistance against the political repression she faced. The Charlemagne Prize, a prestigious human rights award, signifies a crucial moment of international recognition for Kolesnikova and the broader movement advocating for change in Belarus. Furthermore, the awarding of the European Order of Merit to Lech Wałęsa and Volodymyr Zelensky demonstrates the European Parliament's continued support for those fighting for democratic ideals across the continent.

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