A training workshop on the advancement of the issue of abolition of the death penalty in Belarus among Belarusian society, including diaspora, took place in Vilnius, Lithuania from 30-31 May. The event was opened by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Jonas Survila on behalf of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, together with Sebastien Potaufeu, Council of Europe Coordinator for the Abolition of the Death Penalty and Alexander Shlyk, adviser to the leader of Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Organised as part of the activities under the Council of Europe's Contact group for Belarus in co-operation with Belarusian civil society organisations, the "Viasna" Human Rights Centre, and the Belarusian National Youth Council RADA, the advocacy event aimed to equip young activists with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively advocate for changing public opinion on death penalty.
Selected for their passion and dedication, the young participants learned how to raise awareness of the inhuman nature of capital punishment, and started developing a compelling communications campaign targeting both Belarusians living within the country and those in exile.
This awareness raising initiative will subsequently be carried out through NGOs and other initiatives and channels available within the country and outside Belarus through the diaspora. The campaign is planned to be rolled out in the run up to the World Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October 2024.
The workshop was included in the list of events to be held under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
