VISIT TO BERLIN
On November 26–27, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Berlin. She met with the new President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner, to discuss efforts to secure the release of political prisoners – the parties agreed to continue cooperation between the Bundestag and the democratic forces of Belarus. With the Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the peace negotiations on Ukraine. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also met with the updated “For Democratic Belarus” Group in the German Bundestag, proposing a new resolution on Belarus and presenting a number of ideas for the group’s work.
MENSCHEN IN EUROPA AWARD
On November 27, during her visit to Germany, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was honored with the Menschen in Europa Award, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the protection of human rights and democratic values. Yulia Navalnaya received the award alongside Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya dedicated the prize to all Belarusians, emphasizing that it is the people who define Belarus and shape the country’s future.
MEETING WITH GITANAS NAUSĖDA’S ADVISOR DEIVIDAS MATULIONIS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, met with the Chief National Security Advisor to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Deividas Matulionis, and presented 18 proposals from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office to strengthen pressure on the regime. Mr. Matulionis and Mr. Kuchynski also discussed incidents involving balloons and joint approaches to threat response and Belarusian mobility issues.
WOMEN’S POLITICAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IN PRAGUE
The Second Women’s Political Leadership Academy was held in Prague, bringing together 10 participants, all of them former political prisoners. This initiative provides women who have experienced repression an opportunity to develop their potential and strengthen their leadership skills. The Academy aims to prepare women for more active participation in politics, allowing them to represent the Belarusian democratic community at the national and international levels. The program included theoretical sessions, practical modules, meetings with experts, as well as visits to the embassies of Germany and Norway.
UNITED TRANSITIONAL CABINET MEETING IN WARSAW
On November 24, the United Transitional Cabinet held a press conference in Warsaw. Sviatlna Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech: “We are closely following the negotiations on Ukraine and are in contact with our European allies to ensure that Belarus’ interests are also taken into account. We have already communicated our positions to our closest allies. It is important that, as a result of any agreements, Belarus does not remain under Russia’s control. A few days ago, I spoke with US Special Envoy to Belarus John Coale, and I can say that we share the same understanding of the situation. I sincerely hope that we will have good news in the coming weeks”.
105TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SLUTSK ARMED UPRISING
November 28 marked the 105th anniversary of the Slutsk Armed Uprising. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on this occasion: “The Slutsk Armed Uprising is part of our history, even if it was silenced for decades. But this history lives on, because Belarusians have never been indifferent to their land and their freedom – neither a hundred years ago nor today. This tradition of responsibility continues. Our volunteer fighters in Ukraine, the volunteers at home, and all Belarusians who continue the struggle for independence show that the same sense of dignity and love for their country lives within each of us”.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
On November 25, as the world observed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made an address: “Today, I want to say to every woman: you are not alone. We are here. We are together. And if you are in danger – do not choose silence. No woman should be left alone with violence. If you face threats, pressure, or insults, seek help from trusted people close to you, from social and human rights organizations, from support services. Asking for protection is not a sign of weakness.”
RECENT DETENTIONS AT THE BORDER
Detentions continue at the Belarus border. Every day, there are phone checks, interrogations, and arrests. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement: “The regime continues to detain people, check their phones, draw up reports, and place them in temporary detention facilities. Some Belarusians, after such detentions, serve administrative arrest or face criminal charges. All these cases demonstrate that the regime continues to apply repression on a large and unpredictable scale”.
SITUATION AROUND MIKALAI STATKEVICH
More than two months have passed since Mikalai Statkevich returned from the Lithuanian border to Belarus, and his whereabouts remain unknown. His relatives received the first official response from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which only states that he is “serving a sentence according to the court verdict”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, commented on the situation: “An act of clemency followed by continued detention is not mercy; it is a display of cynical deceit. Statkevich was declared ‘released’, but in reality, he was hidden and continues to be punished. What is happening to Statkevich is a clear demonstration of the regime’s lies – a person was formally pardoned but effectively disappeared. As long as the authorities conceal his whereabouts, none of Lukashenka’s words carry any weight”.
MEDIA
This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Die Tageszeitung (Germany), Deutsche Welle (Germany), Deutsche Welle (Germany), Deutsche Welle (Germany), Deutsche Welle (Germany), LA PRESSE (Italy), LA PRESSE (Italy), BILD (Germany), Euroradio (Belarus), Salidarnasc (Belarus), Belsat (Belarus), Belsat (Belarus), Radyio Svaboda (Belarus), Pozirk (Belarus), Reform News (Belarus), Nasha Niva (Belarus), PassBlue (United States, international), Radio4 ERR (Estonia), and Jupiter ERR (Estonia).
