VISIT TO ROME
On March 9, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a working visit to Italy and held a series of important meetings:
- with President Sergio Mattarella, she discussed the situation inside Belarus, where politically motivated detentions and repression continue, including against religious believers. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for strengthening the European perspective for the Belarusian people and countering the ‘Russification’ and militarization of Belarus;
- with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about efforts to secure the release of political prisoners and cooperation with the United States administration and the European Union on this issue. She stressed the need for continued support for those subjected to repression, especially those released from prison;
- with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, she discussed political support for the democratic forces, cooperation within international organizations and on the margins of the G7, and humanitarian issues – support for repressed individuals and challenges faced by Belarusians in Italy;
- with Chamber of Deputies President Lorenzo Fontana, the discussion focused on support for a democratic Belarus from the Italian Parliament, the work of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Parliamentary Group and International Alliance, including its upcoming meeting in London, as well as solidarity initiatives for political prisoners;
- with the “For a Democratic Belarus” Parliamentary Group, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the geopolitical situation, efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, the regime’s role in the war against Ukraine, and further steps for cooperation with Italy, including in humanitarian and parliamentary initiatives.
In addition, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya took part in the “Women of My Time” event, organized on the occasion of International Women’s Day by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ecclesiastical advisor to Minister Antonio Tajani. In her speech, she emphasized that women in Belarus have historically carried significant responsibility, highlighted the courage of Belarusian women despite repression, and called on the international community to show solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus.
VISIT TO LATVIA
On March 11–12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a visit to Latvia. She met with:
- President Edgars Rinkēvičs. The sides discussed the need to maintain and strengthen pressure on the regime, the humanitarian track, and support for released political prisoners, the Lukashenka regime’s role in Russia’s war against Ukraine, international coordination, support for the Belarusian diaspora, national identity and language, as well as initiatives of the Belarusian community in Latvia;
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže. They discussed political prisoners and the humanitarian track, possibilities for assistance through the International Humanitarian Fund, and practical steps to support Belarusians in Latvia;
- the “For a Democratic Belarus” Parliamentary Group. The main focus was on Belarusians – their security, mobility, everyday challenges in exile, and Latvia’s continued support for the Belarusian community and civil society.
In addition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a lecture at Riga Stradiņš University: “I want to encourage you to take part in political life. As you heard from my story, you may not be interested in politics, but politics will eventually touch you anyway. And when it does, it is better to be prepared. Remember: solidarity is a superpower. When you support those who fight for a just cause, it always comes back. This applies to Belarus. This applies to all peoples who are fighting for freedom right now”.
MEETING WITH THE HONEST PEOPLE NGO
On March 13, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the team of the Honest People NGO to discuss how to strengthen the information presence for audiences inside Belarus and how to coordinate joint projects.
The meeting also covered:
- possible simple explanatory formats that help people understand international developments and decisions and distinguish facts from manipulation;
- opportunities to coordinate communication initiatives and develop joint educational products;
- ways to involve the diaspora more systematically in supporting projects focused on Belarus, including events and initiatives dedicated to Freedom Day and the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus.
PANEL DISCUSSION “THE FIRST STEP: HOW BELARUSIAN WOMEN STEP INTO THE PUBLIC SPHERE”
On March 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the panel discussion “The First Step: How Belarusian Women Step into the Public Sphere” in Warsaw, held to mark International Women’s Day. The discussion also featured Yana Shostak, Liza Vetrava, Nasta Bazar, and Iryna Sidorskaya. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that “being in your place” can mean different things at different stages of life, as women are multifaceted and should not be confined to a single role.
“Everything that happens for the first time is always frightening. It is important not to let fear consume you. 2020 was the moment when saying ‘no’ was simply impossible. My main support then came from Belarusians themselves – their solidarity and belief”, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted.
CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN THE UK GOVERNMENT AND BELARUSIAN DEMOCRATIC FORCES
On 9 March 2026, representatives of the UK Government and the Belarusian democratic forces held consultations at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in London. The meeting brought together officials from the FCDO and representatives of Belarusian democratic institutions, civil society, and expert communities to exchange views, strengthen cooperation, and identify practical next steps to support democratic change in Belarus.
The UK delegation was led by the Director of the FCDO Eastern Europe and Central Asia Department, Chris Allan, while the Belarusian delegation was headed by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka.
MEETING WITH THE ASTAFEI VALOVICH BELARUSIAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY INITIATIVE
On March 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with representatives of the initiative to establish the Belarusian Research University named after Astafei Valovich. The team presented the concept of the university and introduced members of the Organizing Committee.
The sides discussed the challenges facing the project as well as possible forms of support for the new educational initiative. Particular attention was given to the formation of the academic team, the timeline for the university’s official registration, and plans for launching its activities.
SIDE EVENT “HUMAN RIGHTS IN BELARUS” AT THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
On March 12, in Geneva, the side event “Human Rights in Belarus” took place on the margins of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council. The discussion focused on the human rights situation in Belarus, the current conditions of political prisoners, and issues of international accountability.
Participants included the Legal Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leanid Marozau; Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Chairman of the Viasna Human Rights Center, Ales Bialiatski; Head of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus, Andrea Huber; and UN Independent Expert on Belarus, Karinna Moskalenko.
Ales Bialiatski and Leanid Marozau also met with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. The meeting focused on the current state of human rights in Belarus, including the situation of political prisoners, as well as international mechanisms for protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
PANEL DISCUSSION “EASTERN SHIELD: HOW TO STRENGTHEN EUROPEAN SECURITY FROM THE UK TO THE BELARUS–BALTIC LINE”
On March 10, the Representation of Democratic Belarus in Estonia hosted a panel discussion titled “Eastern Shield: How to Strengthen European Security from the United Kingdom to the Belarus–Baltic Line”, organized by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.
Participants included the former UK Secretary of State for Defense and Secretary of State for International Trade, Sir Liam Fox; Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Jonatan Vseviov; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Estonia, Volodymyr Boiechko; and Diplomatic Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski.
The discussion covered countering disinformation and the role of independent media, cybersecurity and Cyber Partisans, sanctions and investigative journalism, lawlessness and accountability in the context of the war in Ukraine, and the possible role of Belarusian volunteer fighters.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE KASTUS KALINOUSKI REGIMENT
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the anniversary of the founding of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment: “One day, this date will be in history textbooks as a reminder that even when dictatorship ruled in Belarus, Belarusians still chose freedom. Thank you to everyone who is fighting in Ukraine”.
CONSTITUTION DAY OF BELARUS
On March 15, Belarus marked Constitution Day. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her Advisor on Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, reflected on what this day means for Belarusians and what a constitution should be.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today should remind us of the core principle of the state – respect for the individual, their dignity, and their rights. A constitution must protect the weak from the strong and the citizen from abuses of power. It should guarantee freedom, not be a tool of control”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office also compared the current Constitution of Belarus and the draft Constitution of a New Belarus.
RESTORATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY OF LITHUANIA
On March 11, Lithuania celebrated the Restoration of Independence Day. Dzianis Kuchynski took part in the official events marking the occasion: “For Belarus, this is a powerful symbol of how even under difficult conditions – within an empire, in the Soviet Union, under occupation – it is possible to restore independence. In just one generation, Lithuania has managed to build a European, independent, strong, and prosperous state. It was an honor for the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to take part in the official events in Vilnius marking this day. We sincerely congratulate our Lithuanian neighbors and friends”.
REGIONAL SECURITY FORUM ON FREEDOM DAY
On March 25, Freedom Day, a regional security forum “Path to Freedom” will take place in Kyiv. The event is organized by the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council, and the International Renaissance Foundation.
The forum will focus on key aspects of Belarus’s liberation struggle, threats posed by the Lukashenka regime, and cooperation between Belarusian democratic forces, Ukraine, and European partners.
MIKALAI KAZLOU APPOINTED AS REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE RESTORATION OF LAW AND ORDER
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya appointed Mikalai Kazlou as Representative for the Restoration of Law and Order in the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus. The decision was made based on recommendations from the Coordination Council, in accordance with established procedures.
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT’S INVESTIGATION INTO THE LUKASHENKA REGIME
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I welcome the decision of the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into the Lukashenka regime for crimes against humanity. Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have suffered – and continue to suffer – because of the regime’s actions. Lukashenka’s policies also create threats for Belarus’s neighbors. This decision restores hope — that justice will prevail, that those responsible will be held accountable, and that the victims will finally receive truth and justice”.
EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN BELARUS
“Intellectual Belarus” is the official education development program for 2026–2030. It was approved at the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly in December 2025 as the No. 2 priority of the country’s socio-economic development.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Pavel Tereshkovich, commented on the real situation in education in Belarus: “Despite its grand title, ‘Intellectual Belarus’, the program envisages that at least 50% of students, after completing the 9th grade, will be directed toward vocational and technical education, primarily to obtain working-class professions. The program also promises to ‘increase the prestige of the teaching profession’ but provides no specific measures to achieve this”.
MEDIA
RSI (Switzerland), Belsat (Belarus), Belsat (Belarus), Deutsche Welle (International), AP News (International), L’Echo (Belgium).
