BELARUS–EU CONSULTATIVE GROUP
On June 25-26, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was in Brussels, where she participated in the third meeting of the Belarus–EU Consultative Group. The Belarusian side was represented by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the Coordination Council, the United Transitional Cabinet, NGOs, human rights defenders, and the media. The EU, on the other hand, was represented by politicians, human rights activists, and international relations experts. The parties discussed issues of legalization of stay (simplifying rules for Belarusians in EU countries), visas (continuing visa issuance in Belarus), scholarships (more exchanges for youth), sanctions (a new package and harmonization of sanctions against Belarus and Russia), and support for the media, culture, and the repressed.
The Belarusian leader also launched the exhibition “Dresses for Freedom” held at the new office of the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels.
MEETING WITH JOSEP BORRELL
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet held talks with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, in Brussels. They discussed support for the independent media, repressed individuals, and simplified legalization of stay for Belarusians in the EU.
MEETING WITH PACE LEADERSHIP
A delegation of Belarus’ democratic forces participated in the Summer Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and met with the PACE President, Tiny Kox, and PACE Secretary General, Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, shared that they discussed a cooperation agreement between the PACE and Belarus’ democratic forces, as well as the legal examination of the draft Constitution of the New Belarus by the Venice Commission.
INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE
On June 26, the Belarusian leader addressed Belarusians on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Human rights defenders have information about more than 1,500 political prisoners behind bars in Belarus today, as well as more than 1,600 prisoners who have served their time and been released. At least seven people are kept incommunicado, 517 young people are in prison, and 6 political prisoners have been tortured to death by the regime. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made a statement on the need to achieve the promptest release of all political prisoners held hostage by the regime.
WARWICK UKRAINE–BELARUS HUB CONFERENCE
On June 28, the Chief Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Franak Viacorka, and her Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, visited London to participate in the Warwick Ukraine-Belarus Hub’s high-profile international conference “The EU Integration Prospects for Ukraine and Belarus: Assessing the future”. The event, where Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s advisors spoke at a panel discussion, featured officials, politicians, experts, and representatives of the EU and its member states’ special envoys for Belarus. Representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy in London and the British Foreign Ministry also participated. The discussions addressed strategies and scenarios for the developments in Ukraine, including its reconstruction after the war, moods in Belarusian society, ways of popularizing the European perspective, and support for civil society and independent media.
NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE
On the eve of the 4th anniversary of the 2020 Revolution in Belarus, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya invites you to participate in the New Belarus Conference 2024, which will be held on August 3-4 in Vilnius. Several side events are planned in addition to the conference. The conference itself will be dedicated to the democratic forces’ strategies for 2025 and will feature a broad representation of both the democratic forces and civil society. Registration is open for participants and media representatives.
NEW CABINET REPRESENTATIVE
Ambassador Vladzimir Astapenka, currently Head of the Democratic Belarus Mission in Brussels, was appointed the Acting Representative for Foreign Affairs in the United Transitional Cabinet, taking over from Valery Kavaleuski, who previously announced his decision to leave the Cabinet.
MEETING WITH BELARUSIANS IN VILNIUS
On June 28, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kropka, a Belarusian space in Vilnius, where she met with Belarusian craftspeople who create unique Belarus-themed items and souvenirs. The space in Vilnius was launched by former political prisoner Dzmitry Furmanau and his wife Volha.
TOP 5 CULTURAL EVENTS OF THE SUMMER
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office shared a list of the largest Belarusian festivals of this summer that both promote the unity of the Belarusian community in various countries and help maintain interest in national culture and traditions.
KUPALLE FESTIVITIES IN VILNIUS
On June 29, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the celebration of the traditional Belarusian holiday Kupalle in Vilnius, organized by Belarusian cultural organizations and initiatives. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the importance of supporting and preserving Belarusian cultural heritage.
CASE OF ANDREI HNIOT
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office is closely monitoring the case of Andrei Hniot in Serbia and continues to fight against his extradition to Belarus, where the activist faces a severe prison sentence for his civic activities. Hniot’s lawyers have filed an appeal and are helping him appeal Serbia’s decision in the European Court of Human Rights. The Office has sent letters to the European Commission and EU member state diplomats. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called on the international community to prevent Hniot’s extradition and grant him asylum in a Schengen country.
MEDIA
This week, interviews with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya were released by Deutsche Welle (International), TN Nova (Czech Republic), Chamber-TV (Luxembourg), and Agencia EFE (Spain). Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, commented on the closure of private universities in Belarus to Pozirk (Belarus).
