Stefan Eriksson (diplomat) explained

Stefan Eriksson (born 18 March 1962) is a Swedish diplomat, who was Ambassador of Sweden to Belarus in the period from 2008 to 2012. Prior to this, he served as the head of the Belarusian department of the Swedish Embassy in Moscow. In addition to his native Swedish language, he speaks English, French, German, Russian, and Belarusian. Eriksson is married and has three children.[1]

In his role as the Ambassador, he showed solidarity with marginalized communities fighting for democracy in Belarus.[2] In 2012, the Belarusian government expelled Eriksson from the country over his efforts in advocating democracy.[3] In 2013 he was awarded the Mark Palmer Prize for his involvement in Belarus,[4] and in 2019 - the Belarusian Democratic Republic Centenary Medal.[5] In 2023 Eriksson received the Cross of Good Neighbourhood from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The distinction is awarded by the Belarusian United Transitional Cabinet to outstanding individuals who have significantly helped the cause of Belarusians.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Стэфан Эрыксан. Радыё Свабода. 2017-02-28. be.
  2. Web site: Amb. Stefan Eriksson awarded with The Mark Palmer Prize. European Endowment for Democracy.
  3. Web site: Belarus expels Sweden's ambassador. www.aljazeera.com. 2017-02-28.
  4. Web site: Swedish Ambassador Stefan Eriksson commended for SwedenAbroad. www.swedenabroad.com. en-GB. 2017-03-01.
  5. News: Вэтэрану беларускага супраціву Антону Фурсу ўручылі мэдаль у гонар 100-годзьдзя БНР. Радыё Свабода. 17 July 2019 . be. 2019-10-19 . Свабода . Радыё .
  6. Web site: 2023-08-13 . Святлана Ціханоўская ўзнагародзіла прэзідэнтку Еўрапарламента Крыжам добрасуседства / Афіцыйны сайт Святланы Ціханоўскай . 2023-09-15 . tsikhanouskaya.org . be.