OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
On February 19, a side event titled “Belarus and OSCE PA: Way Forward to Democracy and Humanitarian Priorities” took place during the winter session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered remarks, noting that there is currently no legitimate Belarusian delegation in the OSCE PA, yet the Belarusian people deserve to have their voice heard. She thanked Sweden, Norway, and Lithuania for their principled support of Belarusians, including the establishment of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Parliamentary Group in Norway and the launch of the International Humanitarian Fund.
As a result of the session:
- Representatives of the democratic forces of Belarus are now officially participating in sessions of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
- The “For a Democratic Belarus” Group was established to help keep the Belarus issue on the Assembly’s agenda.
- Political prisoners, sanctions, and the democratic forces’ infrastructure were discussed.
- Dozens of bilateral meetings on the sidelines enabled continued international engagement and contacts with MPs.
On February 20, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed a joint plenary session of the three main OSCE committees, emphasizing support for Ukraine and the need to stop Russian aggression. She urged the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and participating states to maintain attention on Belarus, keep pressure on the regime, and prepare for the moment when a window of opportunity for change opens in the country.
During her visit to Vienna, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya met with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Petra Bayr, to discuss the participation of a Belarusian delegation formed by the Coordination Council in PACE sessions and preparations for raising the Belarusian issue at upcoming sessions.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also met with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk. She expressed support for Ukraine on behalf of the Belarusian people, emphasizing solidarity in the struggle for freedom against a common enemy.
SUMMIT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
On February 17, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the Summit for Human Rights and Democracy and delivered a speech. Among the participants were the Executive Director of the United Nations, Hillel Neuer; the Ambassador of Canada to the UN in Geneva, Peter MacDougall; member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament, Baroness Sal Brinton; and human rights defenders and democratic activists from various countries.
In her address, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the current situation for Belarusians – in prisons, in exile, and in daily life, where repression has long extended beyond courts and prisons.
She also delivered a keynote speech during the panel “The Fight for Democracy in Belarus”, addressing the situation of political prisoners, emphasizing Belarusians’ opposition to the war in Ukraine, and calling for distinguishing between the regime and the Belarusian people.
On February 18, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya held a briefing in Geneva for EU delegations accredited to the UN Human Rights Council. She presented an updated assessment of the situation in Belarus and called for stronger international pressure on the Lukashenka regime, the maintenance and reinforcement of EU sanctions, greater support for political prisoners and their families, and the advancement of mechanisms to ensure accountability through international judicial bodies.
VISIT TO BERLIN
On February 16, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the World Forum on the Future of Democracy, Tech, and Humankind in Berlin. She participated in the international workshop “Women’s Progress Dialogue”, dedicated to advancing gender equality and supporting women’s political participation, speaking alongside prominent global leaders and human rights advocates.
During the visit, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya, accompanied by Franak Viacorka and Dzianis Kuchynski, also met with Viktar Babaryka and Maryia Kalesnikava. During several hours of discussions, the participants addressed strategic priorities, steps to strengthen the democratic forces and enhance unity, and ways to improve coordination on the international stage.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Chair of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee, Armin Laschet, who represents the ruling Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). She thanked Germany and Mr. Laschet personally for supporting the Belarusian democratic community and called for continued support for civil society, independent media, and cultural initiatives. The parties also discussed the work of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Group in the Bundestag, joint events involving MPs participating in Libereco’s symbolic godparenthood program for political prisoners, and the initiative to hold a Congress of Godparents.
MEETING OF THE “FOR A DEMOCRATIC BELARUS” GROUP IN LITHUANIA
The Lithuanian Seimas Group “For a Democratic Belarus” held a meeting on February 17. From the Belarusian side, the meeting was attended by Dzianis Kuchynski, Anatol Liabedzka, and Dzmitry Kuchuk of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, as well as leaders and representatives of six political and seven civic Belarusian NGOs registered in Lithuania.
The main objective was to present ideas and proposals for planning the group’s work for 2026.
MEETING WITH LITHUANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER KĘSTUTIS BUDRYS
On February 17, Dzianis Kuchynski took part in a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, and the heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states accredited in the country. During the traditional annual meeting, Lithuania’s foreign policy priorities were presented, and the situation in the Baltic Sea region, Europe, and the world was reviewed.
FIRST OPEN SESSION OF THE COORDINATION COUNCIL ELECTION COMMISSION
On February 17, the Coordination Council’s Election Commission held its first open meeting. Alena Prykhodzka was elected Chair of the Election Commission, and the main provisions regarding the upcoming election were outlined.
Voting in the Coordination Council is scheduled for May 11–17, 2026. The results will be announced on May 21–23, 2026. A recording of the session is available on the Coordination Council’s YouTube channel.
LITHUANIAN STATE RESTORATION DAY
On February 16, Lithuania celebrated its State Restoration Day, commemorating the 1918 signing of the Act of Independence. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, took part in official events in Vilnius today. He noted that Belarusians value standing alongside Lithuania on meaningful dates like this and sharing the values of freedom, statehood, and a European future:
INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
On February 21, the world marks International Mother Language Day. Unfortunately, today, the Belarusian language is one of the rare cases where the language of the titular nation of an independent state is under threat.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Pavel Tereshkovich, shared reflections on the history and current state of the Belarusian language. Other public representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office also marked the occasion by sharing their favorite Belarusian expressions.
UKRAINE’S SANCTIONS AGAINST LUKASHENKA
On February 18, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement after Ukraine imposed sanctions on Lukashenka: “This is a correct and timely decision by Ukraine. I thank President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his principled position. Lukashenka is not a legitimate leader. He has unlawfully seized power and serves Russia’s interests, not those of the Belarusian people. The war must be stopped, and peace and justice must be restored”.
RELEASE OF MIKALAI STATKEVICH
On February 19, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the news of Mikalai Statkevich’s release: “I feel great relief that Mikalai Statkevich is finally free and at home. I sincerely wish him strength, good health, and a swift recovery after the stroke he suffered”.
REGIME’S PLANS TO CREATE A “BELARUSIAN HARVARD”
The Lukashenka regime has announced an “advanced educational center for training highly qualified specialists and conducting research in promising areas of the economy”, previously promoted as a “Belarusian Harvard”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education, Pavel Tereshkovich, commented on these plans: “The idea itself is good, as it suggests a step toward reforming the education and research system. But what prompted the regime to take such almost ‘revolutionary’ measures? There are two reasons. First, the country’s obvious technological backwardness. Second, the catastrophic situation with highly qualified personnel – both researchers and, especially, university faculty”.
MEDIA
Euronews (International), Monocle (International), Rzeczpospolita (Poland), The Telegraph (International), Belsat (Belarus), POLITICO (International), POLITICO (International), POLITICO (International), POLITICO (International).
