BELARUS' NOMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMAN OF COURAGE

UNCLAS MINSK 000142

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/IWI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL KPAO BO
SUBJECT: BELARUS' NOMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMAN OF COURAGE

REF: STATE 12871


1. (U) Post has the honor to nominate Irina Kozulina for the
Secretary of State's first International Women of Courage Award for

SIPDIS
her work on behalf of political prisoners and her promotion of
breast cancer awareness in Belarus. She stands as a vital national
figure representing both human rights and health interests.


2. (U) Despite intense pressure from the authoritarian government,
Kozulina organized a wide public campaign to release her husband,
former presidential candidate Aleksandr Kozulin, from prison after
he was sentenced to five and one-half years in jail for leading a
peaceful demonstration. She heads the movement "Freedom for
Kozulin", which advocates not only for the release of her husband
but all political prisoners in Belarus. As a result of her tireless
efforts, the situation of political prisoners in Belarus has
received much attention, both abroad and within the country.


3. (U) In a country where one can be sentenced to prison for
providing "false" information about Belarus to foreigners, Kozulina
traveled throughout Belarus and abroad to educate a domestic
audience and the international community about political prisoners
and the human rights situation in Belarus and garner international
support for Belarusian human rights activists. In January 2007,
Kozulina traveled to Poland to promote a documentary that she helped
to create, "On the Frontline of Truth," about activists who have
been sent to prison for political reasons under the Lukashenko
regime. She serves as a beacon for other political prisoners and
their families.


4. (U) Her heroism and service in the cause of human rights is
matched by a deep personal commitment to women's health issues. As
a breast cancer victim and survivor, Kozulina is passionate about
increasing breast cancer awareness in Belarus. In a culture where
most hesitate to discuss personal health problems openly, Kozulina
has sought to publicize breast cancer prevention through her work as
deputy chief of the NGO "In the Rays of Hope." She has attended
international conferences on breast cancer awareness including the
2006 Mission Conference of the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer
Institute in Washington, D.C.


5. (SBU) Her contact and biographical information is as follows:

Irina Kozulina
Deputy Chair, In Rays of Hope
Wife of imprisoned opposition leader Alexander Kozulin
DOB: October 19, 1959
+375-29-634-8766 (cell); pismo0205@yahoo.com


6. (U) Jennifer Roque (roquejl@state.gov; +375-17-210-1283) is the
officer responsible for following women's issues at post. For any
questions prior to March 5, please contact Steve Gillen
(gillensg@state.gov; +375-17-210-1283).

STEWART