Belarus – Trial of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya (Jan. 17, 2023)

Today’s start in Minsk of the trial in absentia of Belarusian democratic opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and several opposition figures in exile is yet another illustration of the Lukashenko regime’s systematic crackdown against the opposition.

France reaffirms its support for the Belarusian people’s peaceful democratic aspirations and denounces the government’s policy of repression. We condemn the Belarusian authorities’ relentless crackdown against the opposition candidates in the 2020 elections. We renew our call for a sincere, transparent dialogue between the Belarusian authorities and democratic forces, as well as the release of all political prisoners.

During her meeting with Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on October 6 of last year, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna reiterated France’s support for the Belarusian opposition’s struggle for democracy and peace more than two years after Belarus’s fraudulent election on August 9, 2020.

China

Does France believe that the theoretical decrease in China’s population is a good thing in terms of achieving its climate goals?

We have no comment on China’s demographic statistics.

Iran

Can you confirm that Bernard Phelan, who holds French and Irish citizenship, is one of the French hostages in Iran? Are you worried about the state of his health?

We can confirm that Bernard Phelan, a French-Irish citizen, is one of our seven compatriots being held arbitrarily by the Iranian authorities.

We are extremely worried about his health, as it is poor and requires appropriate medical monitoring, which is not provided at his detention facility.

Together with the Irish government, we have made multiple representations to the Iranian government to gain our compatriot’s immediate release.