"The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded this year to longstanding partners of the Council of Europe - Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, the Russian human rights organisation Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organization the Center for Civil Liberties. We are delighted by the decision of the Nobel Committee, which fully recognises those courageous women and men who tirelessly and bravely fight to defend peace through human rights, democracy and the rule of law. We are proud of the years of common endeavour and remain confident that no false laws or sham trials will be able to muzzle the voice of truth and honour. The Council of Europe will continue and strengthen its assistance and cooperation with the civil societies in Belarus and Russia, including by holding soon the first meeting of the Contact Group on Belarus. We will continue to support our member state Ukraine against the Russian aggression. In this significant moment, we continuously and steadfastly call for peace to return to Europe, for the liberation of political prisoners in Belarus and the abolition of the infamous “foreign agents” legislation in Russia.“
