On the sixth anniversary of the 2020 protests, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with special envoys, ambassadors, and diplomats working on Belarus. The meeting was attended by Adam Hałaciński (Poland), Grete Sillasen (Denmark), Cody Thompson (US), Bjørn Erik Brustad (Norway), Patrik Svensson (Sweden), Gunta Pastore (Latvia), Karmen Laus (Estonia), Jaana Teckenberg (Finland), Asta Andrijauskienė (Lithuania), and Iaroslav Chornogor (Ukraine).
The Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor Franak Viacorka, and Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, also took part in the meeting.
The participants discussed the military and political situation in Belarus, as well as the work of the democratic forces and their priorities for the next few months, including cooperation with Ukraine and efforts to achieve the release of political prisoners. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for using every opportunity to secure the release of as many people as possible, while maintaining pressure on the regime to end repression and release all political prisoners.
The participants also discussed support for independent media and bloggers. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that despite blockages, the designation of media outlets as “extremist”, and the persecution of their audiences, independent media remain one of the main channels for reaching Belarusians inside the country and countering propaganda and disinformation.
She called for contributions to the International Humanitarian Fund that supports the repressed in Belarus, human rights organizations, and rehabilitation programs. Such assistance is particularly important for former political prisoners, who often need medical, psychological, and social support, as well as help with documentation and legal status after their release.
International accountability for the regime was also discussed. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for support for initiatives aimed at holding regime representatives accountable, including through the International Criminal Court, as well as continued collection and preservation of evidence of crimes. The parties also discussed sanctions against companies and individuals supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine and contributing to Belarus’s further involvement in Russia’s military apparatus.
Another topic was practical assistance for Belarusians. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for maintaining opportunities for Belarusians inside the country to obtain visas, as well as finding solutions for Belarusians living in countries outside the Schengen Area who cannot safely return to Belarus to obtain documents.
The participants discussed the security of Belarusian activists, journalists, and representatives of the democratic forces in exile amid the regime’s transnational repression.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Poland for co-hosting the Kościuszko Forum with the democratic forces of Belarus. With Estonian partners, she also discussed preparations for the Belarus–Estonia conference planned for the fall.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Pressure remains necessary. Not as a means of punishment, but to secure real concessions. Ultimately, if Lukashenka wants to resolve the political crisis, he must engage in dialogue with Belarusians. This must be one of our central demands.
Belarusians must feel that our international partners are still with us feel that our international partners remain by our side and continue to support a democratic Belarus. I am grateful to representatives of our partner countries for this meeting, the open discussion, and their consistent solidarity with the Belarusian people. We must continue working together for a free and independent Belarus”.
