VISIT TO LONDON
On November 12–13, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited London. She held meetings with representatives of the government and Parliament and took part in the panel discussion “The Fight for Freedom in Eastern Europe”.
- With the UK’s Minister of State for Europe, Stephen Doughty, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed continued bilateral consultations and the UK’s possible contribution to the International Humanitarian Fund.
- With the Leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, and the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group “For Freedom and Democracy in Belarus”, Wendy Morton, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya addressed the situation in Belarus, women’s leadership, support for political prisoners, and plans of the international parliamentary alliance.
- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed cooperation with the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and initiatives for the Belarusian diaspora.
- She also presented the #WeStandBYyou international support campaign for political prisoners led by Libereco. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for simplifying legal procedures for Belarusians in exile, including recognizing expired passports and minimizing required documentation.
The Magnitsky Award ceremony took place in London. The award is presented to journalists, politicians, and activists for their work in defending human rights. This year’s laureates were Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It is a great honor for me to receive the Magnitsky Award and to share it with my beloved husband Siarhei. We dedicate this award to all 1,300 political prisoners. They have been taken hostage for their love of their country and of freedom”.
VISIT TO LISBON
On November 10–11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Lisbon. She:
- met with the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Michael O’Flaherty, to discuss the work of the Council’s Contact Group for Belarus, support for political prisoners, and efforts to hold the regime accountable;
- met with the European Commission Vice President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, to discuss support for Belarusian IT companies in the EU, participation in European programs in technology, civil security, and defense, as well as assistance to media and initiatives against disinformation;
- participated in Web Summit 2025, speaking in the discussion “Entrepreneurship as a Human Right” alongside Imaguru Founder Tania Marinich;
- attended the opening of the Belarusians Worldwide booth “Technology Without Borders”;
- met with the Belarusian diaspora and IT sector representatives to discuss the challenges Belarusians face in Portugal. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office sent a special request to the country’s government authorities.
CALL WITH JOHN COALE AND CHRISTOPHER SMITH
On November 13, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had a call with the recently appointed US Special Envoy to Belarus, Mr. John Coale, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern Europe, Mr. Christopher W. Smith. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya congratulated John Coale on his appointment and thanked President Trump for his efforts to secure the release of political prisoners in Belarus.
LUSTRATION CONCEPT PRESENTATION IN PRAGUE
On November 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, presented the Lustration Concept for Belarus in Prague. The presentation was supported by the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic and its Director Kryścina Šyjanok. The event was attended by diplomats from Portugal, Ukraine, and Finland, guests from Poland, and a representative of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others.
COMMEMORATIONS OF RAMAN BANDARENKA
November 12 marked five years since the death of Raman Bandarenka. Belarusians around the world held commemorative events to honor his memory and pay tribute to all those who have suffered from repression. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office compiled a list of such events.
Advisor on Education and Science Pavel Tereshkovich, Advisor on Youth Policy and Students Marharyta Vorykhava, and Press Secretary Hanna Krasulina attended the vigil near the Embassy of Belarus in Vilnius. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “Today is a day of sorrow. But we remember all who have suffered from violence and impunity, and we insist that justice will come. Belarus will become a country where you can step into your own courtyard and feel only peace, respect, and safety – where ‘just living’ will no longer be dangerous to life”.
2025 OSTROGSKI FORUM
From November 11 to 15, the Fourth Ostrogski (Astrozhski) Forum took place in Lviv and Kyiv, one of the key events for Belarus–Ukraine relations. Franak Viacorka, Anatoli Liabedzka, and Sviatlana Shatsilina attended the event. The discussions focused on cooperation between Ukrainian and Belarusian democratic initiatives, as well as advocacy and cultural projects.
JERZY GIEDROYC LITERARY AWARD
The winner of the Jerzy Giedroyc Literary Award – one of the main independent prizes in Belarusian literature – was announced in Gdańsk on November 15. This year, the prize went to Siarhei Dubavets, the author of the book “Zanzibar. The Coming of Age of a Young Soul.” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Mr. Dubavets on the award: “Thanks to people like Siarhei, Belarusian culture continues to grow every year. Thank you for your inspiring work”.
BORDER CROSSINGS REOPENING ON POLAND–BELARUS BORDER
On November 14, Poland announced plans to reopen two border crossings with Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement: “This step will support the people because these crossings are the border with the free world”.
MEDIA
Verdens Gang (Norway), Kyiv Independent (International), Renascença (Portugal), Observador (Portugal), RTP Noticias (Portugal), Noticias ao Minuto (Portugal), Expresso (Portugal), O Jornal Economico (Portugal), CM Jornal (Portugal), CM Jornal (Portugal), Wiadomosci (Poland), ISNA News Agency (Iran), Swissinfo (Switzerland), The Veritas News (International), AMAN (International).
