Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialiatski, represented by his wife Natallia Pinchuk, Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties director Oleksandra Matviychuk, and representative Jan Rachinski of the Memorial organization spoke at the Oslo ceremony, defending civil society work and condemning Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.
“Ales and everyone who supports human rights know how risky it is to carry out this mission, especially during a time when Russia presses its assault on Ukraine,” Pinchuk noted.
Bialiatski and the two organizations were honored for promoting the right to criticize power and protecting fundamental civic rights. In addition to documenting war crimes and rights violations, the award was framed as a reminder of Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Nobel Committee, to acknowledge the ongoing dangers faced by activists in authoritarian climates.
Reiss-Andersen underscored that the laureates embody a vital role played by civil society in safeguarding peace and democracy. She offered a personal message to Bialiatski, urging him to remember that he is not alone in his work and that the international community stands with him.
Pinchuk highlighted that the Nobel recognition provides Belarusians with renewed hope, reinforcing the solidarity of the democratic world in their ongoing pursuit of rights, regardless of how long the struggle lasts.
In her remarks, Pinchuk recalled the limited chance to see Bialiatski over the past eighteen months due to his imprisonment, pointing to earlier statements made directly to him during the one visit allowed by authorities.
“All of Belarus feels imprisoned,” Bialiatski expressed through his wife, echoing criticisms of Moscow’s support for the Minsk regime while calling for justice and free elections for those accused of mass crimes.
Matviychuk also directly addressed Russia, accusing it of deliberately targeting civilians to fracture resistance and to advance its invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian activist, who previously opposed negotiations with Moscow, affirmed that a broader struggle exists between authoritarianism and democracy within the region. She urged reforms to the international security framework so that war crimes by major powers can be prosecuted, not merely acts between two states.
She called for the establishment of an international court and for the necessary steps to be taken. She asserted that trials of leaders like Putin and Lukashenko and other war criminals should proceed, emphasizing that bold actions are needed to demonstrate that the rule of law functions and that justice is possible, even if belatedly.
During the ceremony, Jan Rachinski of Memorial spoke about the organization’s long work documenting oppression from the Soviet era to today’s climate in Russia and neighboring states. He noted that the current number of political prisoners in Russia exceeds the total recorded in the USSR at the start of the perestroika period, underscoring the persistence of political repression. He also argued that the continued prioritization of the state above individual rights fosters impunity and weakens civil society across the region.
Finally, the speakers emphasized the enduring importance of civil society groups in monitoring abuses, supporting victims, and pressing for accountability. Their collective message reinforced the idea that defending human rights is a shared obligation that transcends borders and political rhetoric, especially in times of regional tension and ongoing conflict, and that international attention and legal frameworks play a crucial role in pushing for change. Committee remarks, Memorial testimony, and public statements from the laureates and their representatives.