CONFERENCE OF THE BELARUSIAN DIASPORA
From May 23 to 25, Warsaw hosted the 4th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora. The first working day began with a report presentation by BELPOL. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the event and addressed its participants: “The report we presented today is fundamental work. It analyzes not only the internal policies of the Lukashenka regime but also its role in the war against Ukraine”.
The second day featured panel discussions on the key challenges faced by Belarusians. Participants both listened to experts and joined group work to collectively develop practical solutions.
Franak Viacorka summed up the outcomes: “We collected ideas — over 100 proposals from different countries — and we will now try to combine them into a unified, joint plan”.
View photos from the event on Flickr.
DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH POLITICAL PRISONERS
May 21 marked the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. On this day in 2021, Vitold Ashurak died in prison. His death came to embody the cruelty and brutality of the regime. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “Every step matters. Every letter can give someone hope. Let our solidarity continue to grow and spread. Let no political prisoner be left alone. Freedom to all political prisoners!”
On this day, solidarity events took place in different countries and cities. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the “Watch of Light” — a silent remembrance event in Vilnius. A Holy Mass was held in Rome for political prisoners in Belarus, initiated by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and the Embassies of Lithuania and Poland to the Holy See. The international community also joined in to demonstrate solidarity with political prisoners.
VISIT TO WARSAW
During her visit to Warsaw, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a debate titled “Security of Democracy” organized by the Polish Press Agency (PAP) and spoke at Civitas University, highlighting how the war in Ukraine has become a tool of survival for both Putin and Lukashenka’s regimes.
She also met with the participants of the Women’s Political Leadership Academy — an educational program organized by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic and supported by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
VISIT TO ARGENTINA
On May 23, representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office concluded their visit to Argentina, marking their first official visit to Latin America. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, held meetings with Argentinian authorities, MPs, and civil society representatives. The parties discussed a potential directive to ease requirements of legal documents for Belarusians, addressed the security concerns faced by political refugees, and reached an agreement to cooperate in international organizations.
DEATH OF VALIANTSIN SHTERMER
This week brought the news of the death of another political prisoner, Valiantsin Shtermer, who had been sentenced to five years for his anti-war comments. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya issued a statement: “I understand he was a man of principle. I have no doubt he was loved and awaited at home. Every loss is a wound, a reminder of the responsibility we all bear – to those still in prison, to those who didn’t live to see freedom, and to those who are still fighting”.
LUSTRATION PROJECT FOR BELARUS
Belarus’ democratic forces are preparing a concept for a lustration law — a way for future Belarus to protect itself from the return of repression and impunity and build a fair and accountable system of governance. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office explained how lustration would work, who it would apply to, and why it is crucial for the country’s future.
MEDIA
This week, the following media outlets released Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s interviews and coverage of Belarus: Council of Europe (Video), Tageblatt (Luxembourg), Belsat (Belarus), RFI (France), Pozirk (Belarus), MCN TV (Albania), Euronews (Albania), PAP (Poland), and Radio Svaboda (Belarus).
