On February 25, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a briefing for the ambassadors of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The event was organized by the missions of the European Union and Poland. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked European countries for their solidarity with the Belarusian people, support for political prisoners, and principled stance of non-recognition of the Lukashenka regime.
Key topics discussed at the briefing included the following:
- visa policy and mobility of Belarusians in the EU;
- problems with documents and passports;
- support for Ukraine and the situation of Belarusian volunteers;
- release of political prisoners and assistance to the freed and deported;
- sanctions policy;
- efforts to hold the regime accountable;
- transnational repression and abuses of Interpol mechanisms;
- support for independent media and culture.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on Ukraine’s new approach toward Belarus: “I very much hope that Ukraine’s new approach will strengthen our movement and create new momentum within Belarus. Belarusian elites, the army, and society are watching Ukraine with hope. I believe that in the event of a ceasefire, Ukraine’s role for Belarus will become even more significant”.
She also addressed the situation of Belarusians in exile: “We are working with EU countries and DG HOME to find a comprehensive solution for Belarusians in Europe so that people do not become stateless. At our request, Spain recognized expired passports, Denmark and Norway began issuing alien passports to Belarusians. In Lithuania, documents are valid for three years, and Poland provides international protection. These are good examples that need to be expanded”.
