"I confide in the return of democracy in my country": Alexander Milinkevich, leader of the democratic opposition party in Belarus, received the Sacharov award from the hands of the president of EU Parliament, Josep Borrell. According to Borrell, "everyone knows that the March elections in Belarus were not free", which legitimised the peaceful action of the opposition party. The president then praised the award-winner for his "courage in defying the last dictatorship of Europe". During the ceremony held yesterday in Strasbourg Parliament, Milinkevich mentioned the situation of the former Soviet Republic in terms of human rights as well as on the social and economic front. Milinkevich dedicated the Sacharov Award 2006 to the former nominee for president, Kazoulin, and to the other political prisoners, saying that Kazoulin "is still in prison and is on a hunger strike that caused him to lose 40 kilos". Milinkevich then expressed his wish that "a European future may be acknowledged" for his country. Established in 1988, the Award (involving a 50 thousand euros’ cheque) is given every year to a personality or organisation that "has stood out for defending human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially the right to freedom of expression".
