VISIT TO MADRID
On April 6–8, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a visit to Madrid, Spain. She held a series of high-level bilateral meetings.
- With Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the situation of political prisoners, engagement with the United States, and the situation of Belarusians in Spain.
- With Senate President Pedro Rollán Ojeda, discussions focused on establishing a parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus,” support for political prisoners, and international cooperation.
- With Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, they discussed contributions to the International Humanitarian Fund (Spain had previously contributed €50,000), the official opening of the Democratic Belarus Mission, and issues related to apostilles and criminal record certificates.
The meetings were also attended by Diplomatic Advisor Dzianis Kuchynski, Parliamentary Cooperation Advisor Anatoli Liabedzka, Chief Advisor Franak Viacorka, and Imaguru Founder Tania Marinich, who represents the Belarusian community in Madrid.
On April 8, as part of the visit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a lecture at IE University titled “Leadership in Exile: The Struggle for Democracy in Belarus”: “Belarus is a clear example of how security and democracy are interconnected. A dictatorship threatens not only its own citizens but also its neighbors. Today, the regime in Belarus not only provides Russia with weapons and territory for war, but also wages a hybrid war against Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. It directs illegal migrants into the EU or launches balloons into Lithuania, disrupting operations at Vilnius Airport. War is becoming a tool for the survival of both the Putin and Lukashenka regimes”.
In addition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian diaspora in Madrid.
MEETING ON RESIDENCY ISSUES IN LITHUANIA
On April 10, Dzianis Kuchynski, as the Director of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Lithuania, held a meeting with the Director of the Migration Department of Lithuania, Indrė Gasperė.
The following agreements were reached and measures confirmed:
- A general meeting with interested organizations is planned for June.
- A more transparent system for tracking application status and processing timelines is being considered.
- While an application is under review, forced departure measures will not be applied: the review period serves as a legal basis for staying in Lithuania.
- Specific issues related to obtaining a foreigner’s travel document for Belarusians who cannot return to Belarus to obtain a passport were also raised.
CHORNOBYL WAY ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
On April 10, the Organizing Committee for the Chornobyl Way campaign held its first meeting to prepare for the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. The meeting brought together representatives of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, environmental NGOs, and the Belarusian diaspora to define common messages and formats for the campaign and coordinate events in different cities worldwide.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR BELARUSIANS
On April 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, compiled a selection of current educational and research opportunities. The list includes scholarships, internships, and residencies to help Belarusians in exile continue their education, develop research, and realize their creative potential.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE COORDINATION COUNCIL ELECTION
On April 9, the Election Commission set the order of candidates on the ballot for the Coordination Council election. A total of 174 candidates are competing for 80 seats in the Belarusian proto-parliament.
The election will take place on May 11–17. Senior Political Advisor Alexander Dabravolski answered questions about the Council’s role in Belarusian politics, its effectiveness, and motivations for participating in the vote.
TELEGRAM CHAT RECOGNITION AS AN “EXTREMIST FORMATION”
On April 9, the regime labeled the largest Telegram chat of political prisoners’ relatives an “extremist formation”. People used the chat to receive informational support after their loved ones were detained.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, released a statement: “The designation of the chat as an ‘extremist formation’ puts the lives and safety of 1,800 participants at risk. The regime is deliberately destroying not only political activity but also all forms of mutual aid”.
15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINSK METRO TRAGEDY
On April 11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Minsk metro tragedy: “We remember those who were killed in Minsk 15 years ago. But memory also means responsibility. Responsibility to those who are no longer with us and to those who are alive today. That is why the truth about this tragedy also matters. When questions remain in society years later, only a full, independent, and transparent investigation — one that people can trust — can provide answers. People’s safety is the foundation on which any society stands”.
EASTER
On April 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the occasion of Orthodox Easter: “From time to time, we all need a miracle — even a small one — that can support us and give us strength to move forward. And these miracles do happen: we just need to be attentive enough to notice them and believe in the best. May this holiday strengthen our faith that good and truth will prevail. Happy holiday, dear friends!”
WORLD HEALTH DAY
On April 7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the occasion of World Health Day: “Today, I want to thank all medical workers. In difficult conditions, where instead of decent salaries and humane treatment from the state you hear ‘let them work as much as needed’, you continue saving lives. This is true heroism.
And I want to say to everyone: we deserve a system where people are at the center, where there is no fear, and where care is provided on time and with respect. Belarus must be a country where people’s health is a real priority — not just in words, but in actions”.
MEDIA
Spiegel (Germany), EFE (Spain), Swissinfo (Switzerland), ABC (Spain).
