VISIT TO LUXEMBOURG
On June 5-7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Luxembourg, where she met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Speaker of the Parliament, spoke at the Luxembourg Solutions conference focusing on resolving the problems faced by Belarusians in exile, including visas, legalization of stay, and support for national identity. The conference was attended by Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel, the President of the PACE, Theodoros Rousopoulos, diplomats and politicians from more than 20 countries, as well as representatives of Belarus’ democratic forces, media, business associations, and cultural initiatives.
During the meetings with the leadership of Luxembourg, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the implementation of the PACE recommendations on simplifying the visa and legalization procedures for Belarusians at the EU level; support for the repressed and political prisoners through the humanitarian fund, as well as for independent media, civil society, and Belarusian culture; and preparations for the peace summit on Ukraine, the NATO summit and the UN General Assembly.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also delivered closing remarks at the panel discussion “What future awaits youth in Belarus?”. It was attended by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, her Advisor on Youth Policy, Marharyta Vorykhava, and EU NEIGHBOURS east Ambassador, Alina Kharysava.
MEETINGS WITH THE NEW DELEGATES OF THE COORDINATION COUNCIL
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held video calls with the new delegates of the Coordination Council. The Belarusian leader thanked them for participating in the election and expressed support for those persecuted by the regime for their activity during the campaign. The main topics of discussion were the role of the Coordination Council, priority areas of work, cooperation with the United Transitional Cabinet, and the ways the Coordination Council could strengthen the democratic forces. The first meeting of the newly elected Coordination Council will take place on June 12. The Coordination Council is a representative advisory body of the democratic forces and civil society that includes 80 representatives of Belarusian political organizations and initiatives.
TRANSFER OF ANDREI HNIOT TO HOUSE ARREST
After seven months of imprisonment, Belarusian activist Andrei Hniot was transferred to house arrest. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on the authorities of Serbia not to extradite Andrei to Belarus and to cease his persecution by lifting all restrictions. She also urged European countries to allow Andrei Hniot to legalize his stay in the EU.
MEETING WITH CZECH SENATE DELEGATION
A delegation of Czech senators led by Pavel Fischer visited the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Vilnius. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Czechia for its support for Belarus, including the Czech Senate resolution, and expressed hope for further cooperation.
MEETING WITH IRISH FOREIGN MINISTER
The Secretary General of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Hackett, and the Irish Ambassador to Lithuania and Belarus, Séadhna MacHugh, visited the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, where they discussed support for civil society, cultural projects and the media.
FRANAK VIACHORKA’S VISIT TO MOLDOVA
On June 7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, visited Chișinău, where he spoke at the REDEMOS Conference dedicated to the EU policy vis-a-vis Eastern Europe, including Belarus. The Speaker and Prime Minister of Moldova, representatives of the Parliament, and international experts took part in the conference. Among other things, they discussed the legalization of stay and asylum for Belarusians.
SITUATION ON BELARUSIAN-LITHUANIAN BORDER
On June 3, the Lithuanian authorities introduced new restrictions on food imports from Belarus. Because of these restrictions, many Belarusians crossing the border had to throw away their food. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Economic Reforms, Aleś Alachnovič, commented on the situation. Representatives of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the situation with the Lithuanian authorities. A few days later, Lithuania eased the rules for transporting food products through the border for individuals.
REPRESSION IN BELARUSIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, released a statement expressing serious concern about the Belarusian State University becoming a pioneer in repression. Revealing the practices of harassment and pressure on students and employees, she showed how universities have become an integral part of the repressive system in Belarus.
DEATH OF POLISH SOLDIER ON BORDER WITH BELARUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed her condolences regarding the death of a Polish soldier as a result of an attack from the Belarusian side during a border incident involving a migrant. She condemned the use of irregular migrants by the Lukashenka regime as a tool for political manipulation.
UAE COOPERATION WITH LUKASHENKA REGIME
The Legal Team of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office issued a warning regarding travel to the UAE. Belarusians can now be detained in the UAE and extradited to Belarus based on the new agreement on cooperation in the field of security and counter-terrorism, which includes “consultations in countering extremism”.
HELP FOR BELARUSIANS WITH LEGALIZATION OF STAY ABROAD
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Coordinator of the People’s Embassies of Belarus, Aliaksandra Mamayeva, recorded a video talking about helping Belarusians with the legalization of stay abroad.
CONFIDENCE IN TOMORROW CONFERENCE
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, participated in the Confidence in Tomorrow Conference in Strasbourg. She emphasized the importance of international support for Belarusian youth and called for greater efforts and assistance from European partners in supporting democratic processes in the country.
DOCUMENTS FOR ASYLUM AND SUBSIDIARY PROTECTION
Every year, the number of Belarusians leaving the country increases. Many of them leave because of the risks of repression. In order to apply for asylum or subsidiary protection, people need proof and confirmation that it is dangerous for them to stay in their homeland. This requires official international documents. The Legal Team of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office compiled a list of such documents.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to One Decision, BBC (International), Polskie Radio (Poland / video), Associated Press (International) (1, 2), and Børsen (Denmark).
