Latvia will help detained protesters in Belarus

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In the coming days, Latvian organizations will provide assistance to those who objected to the election results in Belarus and have been affected by Belarusian authorities, Latvian Television said August 26.

The government granted EUR 150 000 to these aid measures.

Part of the amount will be transferred to food and psychological assistance to those in custody, Iluta Lāce, Head of the resource center "Marta" Centre, said at the meeting of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission on Wednesday.

"We have contacts with those partners working in Belarus who have experience in the fight to release people from prison, where they have ended up due to political convictions. In this case, food and water for around 200 victims will be provided in the coming days. We must, unfortunately, cooperate with state attorneys, because only they can enter prisons," said Lāce. Funds will also be allocated to purchase medicine.

Lāce said it was planned to help 250 people, 200 of whom are still in jail and 50 have been released.

"Psychological assistance will be provided specifically to those who have suffered from sexual abuse, which is less covered by the press, but which has happened and where the voices of the victims have not yet been heard. It will be work with the families of the victims and then with the victims themselves. We are currently gathering information from the Belarusian network of psychologists established at this time so that we can set up a better support program. The Belarusian psychologists will say what is needed," said Lāce.

Meanwhile, the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence will support independent journalists from Belarus.

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