“A democratic country means freedom of speech, free elections, the right to participate in non-violent demonstrations, transparent governance, honest relations between the authorities and business and a strong citizens’ society, and authorities that appreciate citizens’ societies,” said the Estonian Head of State. “This also means citizens believing that their government understands them, trusts them, and protects them. This excludes a situation where a regime categorises everyone as either “us” and “them” or “ours” and “the enemies”.”
President Ilves acknowledged the long-term efforts of Lyudmila Alexeyeva – she was among those who established the Moscow-Helsinki group, which supported human rights in the Soviet Union – by saying the following: “You are among these courageous people who have been protecting human rights for approximately half a century under very tough and complicated conditions, remaining true to your principles and striving to give your co-citizens an opportunity to feel like free people.”
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