VISIT TO STRASBOURG
From October 21 to 22, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Strasbourg. During the intensive visit, she:
- delivered a speech at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament together with Siarhei Tsikhanouski, congratulating the Sakharov Prize laureates Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli;
- met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola;
- participated in meetings of the Renew Europe and Greens/EFA factions and met with the extended leadership of the Socialists and Democrats and Conservatives factions;
- met with the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Belarus;
- attended a symposium dedicated to the book “Democratizing the Constitution of Belarus – Towards a Constitution for a New Belarus in a European Context”.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S RESOLUTION ON BELARUS
On October 22, the European Parliament adopted the resolution “On the Situation in Belarus, Five Years After the Fraudulent Presidential Elections”, reaffirming continued support for the democratic forces of Belarus, calling for the release of all political prisoners, and demanding new free elections under international observation.
The resolution passed with 458 votes in favor, 18 against, and 84 abstentions.
VISIT TO LUXEMBOURG
On October 20, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Luxembourg at the invitation of Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel. She attended a working dinner with EU foreign ministers and counterparts from Ukraine (Andrii Sybiha), Türkiye (Hakan Fidan), Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia (Ararat Mirzoyan), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, and Moldova (Mihai Popșoi). The meeting was also attended by representatives of the European Commission (Marta Kos).
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE LITHUANIA–BELARUS BORDER
Following recent large-scale cigarette smuggling incidents using balloons, Lithuania had to temporarily close its border with Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya issued a statement: “The Lukashenka regime continues its hybrid war against European Union countries – primarily Lithuania and Poland. This policy goes beyond migrants and propaganda. It is an economic war, a threat to the safety of citizens and flights, and as a result of the regime’s actions, not only EU citizens suffer, but primarily Belarusians themselves”.
FATHER’S DAY ADDRESS
On October 21, Belarus marked Father’s Day. On this occasion, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated all fathers: “I want to thank everyone who loves, protects, and supports their children, who knows how to be there even from afar, who is not afraid to teach their sons and daughters the most important things – to be honest and free”.
NIGHT OF EXECUTED POETS EVENTS
On the night of October 29–30, 1937, more than a hundred Belarusian poets, writers, scholars, and cultural figures were executed in Minsk. This night remains one of the most tragic pages in Belarusian culture. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office compiled a list of events dedicated to the Night of Executed Poets, which Belarusians around the world can join.
LUSTRATION CONCEPT DETAILS
This year, the Office’s Legal Team presented the Lustration Concept for Belarus – a document that takes into account the scale of repressions, the lack of independent judiciary, and the threat of authoritarian revenge. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, explained the key elements of the project and answered popuar questions.
DRAFT GENDER EQUALITY LAW
On October 21, the Coordination Council held a public hearing on the draft Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Gender Equality”, organized by the Commission on Reforms and Transition Preparation chaired by Yury Hubarevich. The recording of the hearing is available on the Coordination Council’s YouTube channel.
PROSPECTS OF MASTER’S PROGRAMS IN BELARUS
During a meeting with the Council of Ministers, Lukashenka questioned the need for master’s programs in the country. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Pavel Tereshkovich, commented on the situation: “Master’s programs have been part of university education since the 13th century. In developed countries, they are a widespread form of education: in the European Higher Education Area, the share of master’s students exceeds 20%. In Belarus, however, the share of master’s students is just over 4%, and it will most likely decline further in the coming years. Unfortunately, this will lead to the further degradation of higher education, which the regime is trying to present as ‘the best in the world’”.
MEDIA
Belsat (Belarus). Euronews (International), TVN24 (Poland), El Mundo America (Latin America), Polskie radio (Poland), EU Perspectives (Europe), Euractiv (Europe), Power & Purpose Podcast (International), Dagens Nyheter (Sweden).
