MEETING WITH THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF LITHUANIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski met with Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys. The discussion focused on joint efforts against the regime’s groups and propaganda operating outside Belarus. Lithuania reaffirmed its support and protection for those fleeing persecution. The Tsikhanouskis thanked Lithuania for its principled stance and urged continued pressure on the regime.
“BELARUS INDEPENDENCE DAY”
July 3 marked Belarus’ “Independence Day”, a date designated by the Lukashenka regime. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement on this occasion: “We deserve real freedom and real independence. And we will celebrate the true sovereignty of our country together when the state once again belongs to its people”.
GROUP “FOR A DEMOCRATIC BELARUS” IN THE BUNDESTAG
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, visited Berlin to hold several meetings in the Bundestag. One of the key outcomes of the visit was the revival of the parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus” – it was relaunched following the recent election, bringing together members of Germany’s three main political factions. The meetings addressed youth internships in parliament, support for political prisoners, Chornobyl-related programs, and collaboration with the Belarusian diaspora in Germany.
RESPONSE TO “WORK CAMPS” FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN IN BELARUS
This summer, Belarus’ Ministry of Education introduced mandatory unpaid labor for students in grades 5–8. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the new measure: “This is not education through work, nor is it an investment in the country’s future. It’s coercion. Only we, the adults, can show children that coercion is not normal. That is the only way we can raise free and responsible people”.
BELARUS SIDE EVENT AT THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
On July 2, a side event took place in Geneva, focused on the critical human rights situation in Belarus. The meeting featured Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, who urged the international community to use accountability mechanisms to bring those responsible for repression to justice. Participants emphasized the issue of political prisoners and the increasing use of transnational repression.
DETENTION OF ALIAKSANDR KHAMENKA
The regime in Belarus recently arrested Aleh Khamenka, the frontman of the band Palac. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on his detention: “For the regime, only one thing matters – whether you’re willing to dance to the tune of dictatorship. Everything else has no value in their eyes. They no longer care about human lives or our culture”.
NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE
The New Belarus Conference 2025 will take place in Warsaw on August 9–10, providing a platform for open dialogue about Belarus’ future and bringing together the democratic forces, civil society, and activists. Registration and press accreditation are now open.
MONTHLY RECAP
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office released the monthly recap for June, summarizing key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian democratic community activists and NGOs.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski gave interviews and comments to BBC (International), Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland), Reuters (International), FAZ (Germany), Belsat (Belarus), Zerkalo (Belarus), ABC (Australia), VOT TAK (Belarus), TVP (Poland), BBC (the UK), Belsat (Belarus), and Zerkalo (Belarus).
