Day One of the New Belarus Conference took place today in Warsaw, with a series of side events ahead of the main program, which begins tomorrow. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in three discussions throughout the day.
Belarus’s Role in the Aggression Against Ukraine: Holding Lukashenka’s Senior Leadership Accountable
Participants discussed the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in Russia’s aggression, the collection of evidence, and mechanisms for holding the top political and military leadership accountable through a Special Tribunal. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked the team of the National Anti-Crisis Management and personally Pavel Latushka for keeping the issue of accountability high on the international agenda. She emphasized that those who turned Belarus into a launchpad for aggression must be held responsible for these crimes and recalled that Belarusians condemned the regime’s complicity from the very first days of the full-scale war. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya expressed confidence that international justice would bring this case to completion.
Soimiks: From Elections to Cooperation and Results
The discussion focused on creating local representative bodies — soimiks — for Belarusians abroad. Participants discussed how such representation could help unite the diaspora and address common challenges. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted the ability of Belarusians to find solutions and move forward even in the most difficult circumstances. She also proposed appointing a representative of the Belarusian community to the Council of National Communities of Ukraine.
Belarusian Civil Society: We Endured. What Comes Next?
The panel presented the results of the Civil Society Sustainability Index and discussed steps needed for the further development of Belarusian CSOs amid repression and exile. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech and answered questions about her first encounters with civil society, the importance of Belarusian organizations, and how her understanding of their work has changed over time.
The main program of the New Belarus Conference begins tomorrow. Follow our updates and join the online broadcast to make sure you don’t miss anything!
