The ceremony took place on 20 July in Worms, Germany. The award was received by Maria Kalesnikava’s sister Tatiana Khomich and Veronika Tsepkalo.
The statement of the organizing committee is that Svetlana, Maria, and Veronica “advocated a peaceful revolution, new elections and a democratic future of their country, risking persecution, imprisonment, torture, and deportation”.
In a congratulatory speech, Norbert Lammert, the former chairman of the German Bundestag, declared the three women “brave and inspiring”.
The Minister of Federal Land of Rheinland-Pfalz Ana Spiegel called during the ceremony for an expansion of the assistance program for Belarusians who had suffered repression.
The “Fearless Word” Award is given every two years to people who show civil courage, by word and deed stand on the protection of society. The award was created by the union of 16 cities in which Martin Luther lived and worked.
