On October 27, a session of the Minsk Forum took place in Brussels, focusing on the challenges Belarusians face in obtaining legal status and documents in European countries.
Representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office took part in the discussion:
- Leanid Marozau, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Adviser on Legal Affairs;
- Vital Malchanau, Representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Estonia;
- Kryscina Šyjanok, Director of the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic.
The meeting also brought together representatives of the European External Action Service, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, EU diplomats, and experts from the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, the People’s Embassies, and Belarusian civil society organizations.
The discussion focused on the challenges faced by Belarusians in exile. Key issues included the implementation of the Luxembourg Solutions, differences in legal status procedures across Europe, obtaining and renewing documents, and finding solutions that take into account the circumstances of Belarusians who cannot safely return home.
The Belarusian side presented proposals to experts from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs.
Protecting the rights and interests of Belarusians abroad remains a priority for Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. European countries need to take into account the specific circumstances of Belarusian citizens affected by the Lukashenka regime’s political persecution, including transnational repression.
The Office continues to work with European partners and Belarusian democratic forces to find practical solutions to the challenges Belarusians face in obtaining legal status and documents.
The session took place at the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels. The Minsk Forum is organized by the German–Belarusian Society (dbg e.V.) with support from Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.
