After taking part in the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Vienna, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Innsbruck, Austria, on a working visit. The visit took place against the backdrop of intensified international discussions about the future of European security, the situation in Belarus, and the role of the media in defending democracy.
On the evening of December 5, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke to students and faculty of the Management Center Innsbruck at the discussion “Europe in the World: What about Freedom & Democracy?”.
She spoke about the situation in Belarus, the humanitarian track on the release of political prisoners, and noted that the releases of recent months resulted from joint efforts by the US and the EU, but the regime continues repression and keeps more than 1,200 people behind bars.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on European states to invest in independent media, human rights and cultural initiatives, as well as to expand educational programs and scholarships for Belarusian youth: “Investing in people is the best investment in the future of a democratic Belarus. We need bridges with Europe, because the regime is trying hard to cut Belarusians off from the world”.
She also spoke separately about the importance of the Belarusian language and identity, noting that the regime is deliberately destroying national culture because it is a source of self-respect and resistance: “The Belarusian language and culture strengthen our society and help us resist the ‘Russian world’”.
For two years, MCI Innsbruck has been running a special scholarship program for Belarusians under the patronage of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, which allows Belarusian students to study with a significant discount in many programs.
On the morning of December 6, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the European Media Summit, which brought together journalists, politicians, media owners, and experts from Central and Western Europe.
In her speech, she emphasized the role of free media in the struggle against dictatorship and noted that Belarus is an example of a country where the destruction of independent media and alternative voices paved the way for totalitarian rule.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also spoke about the situation of political prisoners, mass disinformation, and the role of technologies that the regime uses to control society. She urged European countries to increase support for independent media to ensure Belarusians have access to reliable information.
During the Summit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was asked about the role of Belarus in the context of negotiations on Ukraine. She noted: “Peace in Ukraine can open a window of opportunity for Belarus – as long as Belarus does not remain under Russia’s control”.
The visit to Innsbruck continued Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s international efforts to keep Belarus on the agenda, develop exchange and support programs for youth, and strengthen ties with the EU.
