On November 6, 2025, a meeting took place in Canberra between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Penny Wong, and the Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Minister Wong for the invitation to visit Australia and noted that in Belarus’ modern history, there had never been a visit of this level before. The parties discussed a wide range of issues, from regional security and the situation in Belarus to practical support for the democratic forces and civil society of Belarus.
Minister Wong reaffirmed Australia’s support for a democratic Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked her and the Australian government for their principled stance in supporting Ukraine and their unwavering commitment to democratic values and human rights.
The parties also discussed:
- Support for civil society and independent media. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya proposed that Australia launch a program to support independent media and women’s leadership in Belarus. She emphasized that Belarusian journalists and activists working in exile are fighting for the truth and maintaining the connection between Belarus and the free world.
- Pressure and international isolation of the regime. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called on Australia to continue exerting pressure on the Lukashenka and Putin regimes to stop repression, release political prisoners, and end the war in Ukraine. She noted that Australia can play an important role in coordinating efforts with G7 and EU partners.
- International Humanitarian Fund. The Belarusian leader urged Australia to join the International Humanitarian Fund to help victims of repression – a fund already supported by Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Spain, Luxembourg, Denmark, Iceland, and Croatia. The fund provides support to released political prisoners and their families, medical and psychological assistance, and help for those who have to flee the country.
- Accountability and international justice. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called on the Australian government to support efforts to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable within the framework of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). She spoke about Lithuania’s initiative to submit evidence to The Hague regarding crimes against humanity in Belarus, as well as the ICJ case related to the orchestrated migration crisis and violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
- Support for human rights defenders and humanitarian workers. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya acknowledged Minister Wong’s efforts to protect humanitarian workers in crisis zones and suggested extending such support to Belarusian human rights defenders: “Today, Belarusian human rights defenders are also humanitarian workers. They literally save lives – helping families of political prisoners, the imprisoned, and the repressed. They deserve the same protection as all those carrying out humanitarian missions”.
- Support for Belarusian trade unions. The sides discussed cooperation between Australian and Belarusian trade unions. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that while several Belarusian trade union leaders had recently been released, others remain imprisoned, and efforts must continue to secure their release. The parties discussed cooperation within the International Labor Organization and agreed to establish connections between Australian and Belarusian unions. Tomorrow, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is scheduled to meet with leaders of Australian trade unions.
- Special envoy for Belarus. Tsikhanouskaya proposed that Australia consider appointing a special envoy or ambassador-at-large responsible for communication with the democratic forces of Belarus – as France, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, and Estonia have already done. According to her, this would be “a strong signal of solidarity with the Belarusian people”.
- International cooperation. The parties also discussed engagement within the UN, the Human Rights Council, and the Media Freedom Coalition.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Minister Wong was very well-informed, attentive, and genuinely committed to helping Belarus. She truly cares about our people, and I’m glad that here, on the other side of the planet, we have such an ally”.
