PACE RESOLUTION. On June 20, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where she called on PACE members to vote in favor of the resolution on practical steps to support Belarusians in exile. The resolution gained overwhelming support. The draft resolution was prepared based on a report by Luxembourg MP Paul Galles. The resolution addresses the need to eliminate administrative and legal barriers for Belarusians in exile and ensure an appropriate level of protection for people. It also proposes issuing humanitarian visas at all embassies/consulates that continue to operate in Minsk.
Kristina Rikhter, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor on Legal Affairs, spoke on the issues outlined in the resolution and the democratic forces' next steps.
COMPLAINT TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE. The United Nations Human Rights Committee will consider the complaint by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya registered on June 9, 2023. The complaint was prepared by the human rights organization Respect — Protect — Fulfill. RPF lawyer Mikita Matsiushchenkau said the decision on the complaint is of great importance as, unlike political statements, it may legally confirm the illegitimacy of Lukashenka.
COORDINATION COUNCIL HEARING. Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, resolved to hold a hearing in the Coordination Council by August 1 to hear reports and approve the candidates for representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet.
VISIT TO STRASBOURG. On June 19-20, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Strasbourg, where she joined a hearing at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), spoke before the PACE Political Committee, the PACE Women Group, as well as the ambassadors of Council of Europe member states. The Belarusian leader met with national delegations, party groups, and the leadership of the Council of Europe. Read more about the results of the visit at the link.
SOLIDARITY WITH POLITICAL PRISONERS. On June 20, a so-called court in Belarus issued another verdict against a person who works honestly and wishes to help people. Human rights defender Nasta Loika was sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented: “She used to speak out on the issues the regime preferred to ignore. Nasta is a strong woman with a big heart, but, like thousands of Belarusian political prisoners, she needs our attention and support”.
JADNAJSIA EVENT. On June 20, Warsaw hosted an event called “Jadnajsia!” (“Unite!”), which brought together more than 20 Belarusian civil organizations and initiatives. The event featured performances by Belarusian musicians, panel discussions, and presentations by civil initiatives. Franak Viacorka, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Senior Advisor, spoke on its outcomes.
SENTENCE AGAINST SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA. On March 6, a so-called court in Belarus, represented by Piotr Arlou, issued a verdict against Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in absentia, 15 years of imprisonment. On June 20, it was reported that the Supreme Court had reviewed her appeal and upheld the verdict. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented, “By appealing the verdict, I did not hope for the sentence to be overturned, but rather wanted to highlight the lawlessness”.
REACTION TO THE SITUATION IN RUSSIA. On June 24, the PMC controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, challenged the official authorities of Russia and occupied Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh in less than a day.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Belarusian army, officials, and law enforcement: “Now is the best chance to expel Russian troops from our country.” Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also addressed the Belarusian people: “The reason for our problems can be found sitting in Lukashenka's residence”.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BELARUSIANS. The European Union has announced a call for applications for scholarships to study at universities in Czechia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Belarusian students and applicants can apply if they are facing persecution due to their beliefs or civil activities, or have already been subjected to repression. The scholarship has been announced as part of the EU4Belarus – SALT-II (Support for Advanced Learning and Training) program, which aims to support repressed students and civil society.
OFFICE VOLUNTEERS. Volunteers of the Office held an online meeting with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's press secretary Anna Krasulina. Anna explained how the Office develops its positions that it communicates to Belarusians and the world, and what everyone can do to promote the Belarusian agenda. Office volunteers also participated in and assisted at the Jadnajsia! event. You can support the Office's volunteer program by donating through BYSOL.
PERSONAL CONVERSATIONS WITH BELARUSIANS. On Thursday, June 22, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held her weekly personal conversations with Belarusians. She and her team discussed issues faced by people in different towns and cities in Belarus and abroad.
BOOK LAUNCH. On June 22 at 6:00 PM (GMT+3), the Research Center of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office and the Oxford Belarus Observatory presented the book “Belarus in the XXI century: between dictatorship and democracy,” for which Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wrote the foreword.
POLICY BRIEFS. In partnership with the Research Center of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office and the Oxford Belarus Observatory, the Institute for Global Sustainable Development at the University of Warwick released policy briefs on the following subjects: “Repression and Cultural Resistance: How to Help Belarusians Fight Cultural Oppression?”; “Belarus' Anti-Authoritarian Movement and Women's Rights: Female Activism in times of Terror and War”; “Belarus in Ukraine's Foreign Policy“.
MEDIA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to PACE (International), Natalia Moseichuk (Ukraine), Polskie Radio 24 (1, 2) (Poland), and Express (1, 2) (United Kingdom).
