ADDRESS TO LUXEMBOURG’S CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES
On October 22, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies at a joint meeting with parliamentary leadership and the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs. Participants included Deputy Speaker André Bauler, Head of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Group Paul Galles, and members of parliament from various political parties.
The discussion focused on the release of political prisoners and an end to repression, support for persecuted Belarusians, challenges facing Belarusians in exile, the Belarusian language and culture, Belarus’s European future, support for Ukraine, and parliamentary cooperation.
MEETING WITH COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES SECRETARY GENERAL MANTAS ADOMĖNAS
On October 21, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Secretary General of the Community of Democracies, Mantas Adomėnas. She thanked Mr. Adomėnas for the organization’s support for Belarusians, campaign to secure the release of film director Andrei Hniot, and cooperation with Belarus’s democratic forces.
The meeting covered the following topics:
- raising awareness of transnational repression in international organizations and forums, including at an event in Berlin in November. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shared reports prepared by her Office and human rights defenders, containing recommendations for governments;
- developing an educational program for young Belarusians with the participation of the Community of Democracies, as well as advancing the Women’s Political Leadership Academy;
- cooperation with Latin American member countries of the Community of Democracies, including Panama, which currently holds the organization’s chairmanship, as well as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, and Uruguay;
- support for Belarusian media and independent journalists, as well as projects to counter propaganda, strengthen Belarusian identity, and promote Belarusian culture and heritage across the EU.
MEETING WITH WOMEN AMBASSADORS FROM SIX COUNTRIES
On October 20, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held an informal meeting in Warsaw with the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain, and Sweden. The meeting was hosted by UK Ambassador Melinda Simmons and continued the dialogue that began at a meeting with the ambassadors in June this year.
The participants discussed the situation in Belarus, the release of and support for political prisoners, including through the International Humanitarian Fund, and continued aid for Belarusian journalists, human rights defenders, and people facing repression.
They also addressed the challenges facing Belarusians in exile, including legal documents, international cooperation, and support for Belarusian initiatives. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the Women’s Political Leadership Academy, which is supported by her Office.
ZŁOTE LAURY CEREMONY
On October 20, the Złote Laury (Golden Laurels) awards ceremony took place in Warsaw. One of the evening’s main honorees was Belarusian–Polish journalist and former political prisoner Andrzej Poczobut, who was named Person of the Year.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the ceremony. In addition to Mr. Poczobut, other guests included Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, United Transitional Cabinet Deputy Head Pavel Latushka, and Polish and international politicians.
In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Poland for its support for Belarusians. She spoke about the release of political prisoners, thanking Poland for its principled stance and support for those behind bars, and called on international partners to maintain pressure on the Lukashenka regime while continuing to support the Belarusian people.
IGRZYSKA WOLNOŚCI
On October 25, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in Igrzyska Wolności (Games of Freedom) in Łódź, Poland, organized by the Liberté! Foundation. The festival brought together politicians, journalists, researchers, and cultural figures to discuss democracy and the future of society.
In a discussion with journalist Agnieszka Lichnerowicz and festival guests, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the release of political prisoners, support for Belarusians, and relations with Poland.
MEETING WITH EUROPEAN HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY RECTOR VILIUS ŠADAUSKAS
On October 21, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met for the first time with the Rector of the European Humanities University, Vilius Šadauskas. The Chair of the University’s Governing Board, Mantas Adomėnas, also took part in the meeting in Warsaw.
The discussion covered Belarusian programs at the university, teaching the Belarusian language, greater involvement of Belarusians in decision-making, and possible consultations on the university’s future with Belarusian civil society and academia. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had previously sent the university’s leadership a letter outlining proposals for its development from the Belarusian community.
MEETING WITH MARÍA CORINA MACHADO’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COORDINATOR PEDRO URRUCHURTU
On October 20, a meeting took place at Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius between Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and the International Relations Coordinator in the office of Venezuela’s democratic leader María Corina Machado, Pedro Urruchurtu.
The meeting focused on expanded cooperation with Venezuela and other Latin American countries. The sides agreed to develop contacts with politicians, members of parliaments, and civil society across the region with the support of Venezuelan partners, as well as to prepare joint events featuring María Corina Machado.
Planned initiatives include:
- a joint parliamentary conference in 2027 titled “Two Paths to Freedom: Venezuela and Belarus Against Dictatorship”;
- expert meetings with representatives from Latin America on democratic transitions, accountability for repression, and overcoming the legacy of dictatorship;
- strengthened ties with parliaments, human rights organizations, universities, and independent media across the region and joint events in Latin American countries.
MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR SEBASTIAN KĘCIEK
On October 21, Dzianis Kuchynski, accompanied by the Deputy Head of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office’s International Cooperation Department, Stanislava Hlinnik, met with the Deputy Director of the International Policy Bureau at Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s Chancellery, Ambassador Sebastian Kęciek.
The meeting covered several topics:
- Christmas reception. The Polish side confirmed that it would continue the tradition, established under President Andrzej Duda, of hosting a Christmas reception in honor of Belarusians at the Belweder Palace. The next reception will take place this Christmas, serving as an important symbol of solidarity;
- joint projects. The parties discussed initiatives including translations of works by Sergiusz Piasecki, sporting events, and a possible calendar of events dedicated to shared history;
- historical memory. Both sides agreed on the importance of preserving the heritage of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and commemorating shared historical figures from Belarus, Poland, and Lithuania who unite our nations;
- the Belarusian diaspora. The parties highlighted the need to maintain a welcoming attitude toward Belarusians who work and study in Poland and are an active part of Polish society.
MEETING WITH POLISH PRIME MINISTER’S POLITICAL CABINET HEAD PAWEŁ GRAŚ
On October 21, Dzianis Kuchynski met in Warsaw with the Head of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Political Cabinet, Paweł Graś. They discussed support for Belarusians in Poland, the situation surrounding political repression in Belarus, and regional cooperation amid the ongoing crisis.
Mr. Kuchynski emphasized practical issues facing Belarusians in Poland:
- legal status and documents: residence permits, international protection, and travel documents;
- legal rights and opportunities to live, study, and work legally in Poland.
UNA CITTÀ MOLTEPLICE EVENT IN PRATO
On October 17, the Director of the Belarusian Democratic Community Center in Florence and Head of the People’s Embassy of Belarus in Italy, Yuliya Yukhno, spoke at “Una città molteplice” (“A City of Many Voices”), a meeting organized by the Municipality of Prato as part of the “Prato — City for Peace” series of events.
The meeting focused on peace, armed conflicts, international security, integration, and coexistence among different communities. Ms. Yukhno addressed the current situation in Belarus and the work of the Belarusian democratic community in Italy. She emphasized the integration of Belarusians into local society and cooperation with Italian authorities and civil society organizations.
COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONGRESS MEMBER BELINDA GOTTARDI’S VISIT TO A BELARUSIAN SHELTER IN ITALY
On October 17, the Rapporteur for a Democratic Belarus at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Belinda Gottardi, visited the Belarusian Democratic Community Center in Sesto Fiorentino and a shelter for Belarusians in Montelupo Fiorentino.
Yuliya Yukhno informed Ms. Gottardi about the Center’s work and its support for Belarusians in exile, after which they met with residents of the shelter, who shared their stories and spoke about their needs, challenges, and hopes for the future. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss directly the situation of people rebuilding their lives in Italy after being forced to leave Belarus due to repression.
SCREENING OF “NOT MADE FOR POLITICS”
On October 21, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a screening of Volia Chajkouskaya’s documentary “Not Made for Politics” at the CinEast international film festival in Luxembourg. Filmed over five years, the documentary tells the stories of Belarusian women who never planned to enter politics but became leaders in the struggle for freedom.
Following the screening, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya joined the discussion titled “Belarus at a Crossroads” with Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies member Paul Galles.
FATHER’S DAY ADDRESS
On October 14, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on Father’s Day: “Unfortunately, not all Belarusian fathers can be with their children today. Some are behind bars on political grounds, some have been forced into exile, and others have gone abroad for work to provide for their families and are now missing their children growing up. Each has a different story, but they all share one thing: the desire to be with their loved ones. I hope every father can hug his children, hear about their day, laugh with them, and be there for the important moments in their lives”.
NIGHT OF THE EXECUTED POETS — 2026
On the night of October 29–30, 1937, NKVD officers in Minsk executed more than 100 poets, writers, scholars, and public figures. The executions were part of Stalin’s campaign of repression against Belarusian culture and are commemorated as the Night of the Executed Poets.
This year, poetry readings, theatrical performances, lectures, and commemorative events will take place in cities around the world. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office compiled a list of such events.
MEDIA
Belsat NEWS (Belarus), Publico Brasil (Brazil), Polskie Radio (Poland), Polskie Radio 24 (Poland).
