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EU urged to spend Nobel Prize money on supporting Belarusian civil society

 

European Parliament member Marek Migalski has suggested that the European Union spend its Nobel Prize money on supporting civil society in Belarus.

Mr. Migalski, who represents Poland in the European Parliament, has sent his proposal to the Council of the European Union, the MEP’s assistant, Anna Bialas, told BelaPAN.

The 27-nation bloc was declared the winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize on October 12. The prize comes with a cash award of $1.1 million.

Mr. Migalski recalls in his appeal to the EU Council that imprisoned Belarusian human rights defender Ales Byalyatski was among those nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The MEP stresses that the money would not be a significant amount for the EU. Donating the money for supporting civil society in Belarus would yield tangible results and contribute to the downfall of Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s dictatorial regime, Mr. Migalski says.

Explaining its decision to award the prize to the EU, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said that the bloc had helped transform Europe "from a continent of war to a continent of peace."

The decision was met with a mixed reaction. While many EU politicians hailed the decision, several prominent figures, including Czech President Vaclav Klaus and Polish ex-leader Lech Walesa, criticized the selection. // BelaPAN