EASIER VISAS FOR RELATIVES OF BELARUSIANS IN CZECHIA
The Czech government approved changes that will allow close relatives of Belarusians legally residing in the country to apply for short-stay visas. This is a result of the sustained work by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Belarus’s democratic forces with Czech partners. Once the changes take effect, close relatives of Czech citizens and Belarusian citizens who legally reside in Czechia on the basis of a temporary or permanent residence permit will be eligible to apply for short-stay visas. This includes parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren.
OSCE CONFERENCE
On October 6, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech in Warsaw at the “Transnational Repression in the OSCE Region” event, held as part of the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference. She stressed that, for hundreds of thousands of Belarusians, leaving the country under duress did not mean an end to repression. The regime continues to persecute people through threats against their relatives, trials in absentia, property confiscation, passport cancellations, cyberattacks, and international wanted-person mechanisms.
MEETING WITH SPECIAL ENVOYS FROM THE NORDIC-BALTIC EIGHT
On October 7, the Director of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius, Dzianis Kuchynski, met with special envoys and representatives of the Nordic-Baltic Eight countries. He thanked the special envoys for their work and welcomed this format for systematic engagement with Belarus’s democratic forces and coordinated international support for Belarus. The NB8 representatives reaffirmed their support for Belarus and its democratic forces and their readiness to continue cooperation.
MEETING WITH RELEASED POLITICAL PRISONERS AND VOLNYJA IN WARSAW
On October 8, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Free Belarus Museum in Warsaw to meet with released political prisoners, the team of Volnyja, as well as mentors and volunteers who support political prisoners after their release. She thanked the volunteers, Volnyja, and other NGOs helping those who have been released. The former political prisoners themselves also highlighted the comprehensive support and care they had received, as well as the prompt assistance and quality consultations. The meeting focused on the challenges Belarusians face in Poland, including legal status, driving licenses, and bank accounts.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Yuliya Mitskevich was appointed Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Inclusion and Equality. In this role, she will advise Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on inclusion and equality and efforts to combat discrimination and violence.
Stanislau Salavei was appointed Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Healthcare. He will advise the Office on healthcare issues, help prepare policy positions, analytical materials, and public statements, and work with Belarusian and international partners.
FORUM 2000 IN PRAGUE
On October 11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Forum 2000 Conference, which brings together politicians, human rights defenders, and civil society representatives from around the world in Prague every year. This year’s participants included Nobel Peace Prize laureate and leader of Venezuela’s democratic forces, María Corina Machado, as well as representatives of democratic movements in Nicaragua, Tibet, Myanmar, and Turkey. The President of the Czech Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, also attended the event.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the power of solidarity, the importance of Ukraine’s victory, and support for political prisoners and everyone standing up to dictatorships, calling for unity across the democratic world in the face of shared threats.
HAMBURG PRESS FREEDOM WEEK
On October 11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, spoke at a discussion marking the opening of Hamburg Press Freedom Week. The event focused on the voices of journalists and civil society representatives working under conditions of repression and forced exile.
MEDIA
L’Echo (Belgium), El País (Spain).
