Maria Kalesnikava Honored with Charlemagne Prize for Belarus Democracy Fight
Belarusian activist Maria Kalesnikava has received the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen. The award honours her fight for democracy and human rights in Belarus. She was officially presented with the prize on Saturday, four years after it was first announced while she was still in prison.
The Charlemagne Prize recognises outstanding contributions to European unity. In 2020, Kalesnikava was jointly awarded the prize alongside fellow opposition figures Veronika Tsepkalo and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya—the first time the honour went to a trio. Previous winners include the European Parliament in 2021, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in 2020, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres in 2019.
Kalesnikava learned of the award while imprisoned in Belarus. She later described it as a powerful sign of European solidarity. After her release a few months ago, she moved to Germany, where she continues her work for a democratic Belarus. Despite differing views on some issues, Kalesnikava, Tsepkalo, and Tsikhanouskaya remain united in their mission. She has called on European governments to support Belarusians in exile and those resisting dictatorship at home. Kalesnikava also praised Aachen for preserving its history and inspiring future generations. She expressed deep joy at receiving the prize and reaffirmed her belief that democracy will prevail in Belarus. Though progress is slow, she remains determined to keep fighting for change.
The Charlemagne Prize highlights Kalesnikava's role in the struggle for a free Belarus. Her ongoing work, alongside Tsepkalo and Tsikhanouskaya, keeps the country's democratic movement in the international spotlight. The award also serves as a reminder of Europe's commitment to supporting those resisting oppression.
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