UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly in New York, where she participated in events focused on Belarus and held more than 30 meetings with national leaders, foreign ministers, and representatives of international organizations. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke on the results of the visit in an interview with Zerkalo.
SIDE EVENT ON BELARUS. During the UN General Assembly in New York, the delegation of the European Union, at the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, organized a side event on Belarus “The threat to the independence of Belarus and the international response” involving foreign ministers of Iceland, Germany and Slovakia, and the German State Secretary. In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the need for a unified strategy for preserving Belarusian independence. “When it comes to the UN agencies, we still need to see a more pronounced implementation of their mandates in Belarus – UNHCR, UNESCO, UNICEF, World Health Organization have been quiet on the crisis in Belarus. This creates a perception exploited by the regime’s propaganda that the UN is on its side. For too long, the regime enjoyed impunity and did not face any substantial reaction from the world. It has to end now”, said the Belarusian leader.
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL HEARING. On September 22, the UN Human Rights Council held a hearing as part of its 54th session. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor on Legal Affairs, Kristina Rikhter, took part in it. During the hearing, the report “Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath” was discussed. It was emphasized that since the publication of the report, the situation in Belarus has only worsened. A call was also made for states to investigate cases under universal jurisdiction to ensure accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations in Belarus.
BUSINESS FORUM. On September 20, the 3rd Belarusian Business Forum organized by the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA) took place in Warsaw. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, within the framework of the Forum, addressed the participants and urged them to continue to maintain a good reputation for Belarusian business: “It should be associated with transparency, integrity, and creativity. These are the values that we must bring to Belarus after political transformation”.
HARAUSKI TRIAL. In Switzerland, after a long-term investigation, the trial began against Yury Harauski, who used to be a part of Lukashenka's “death squad”. The proceedings were initiated under universal jurisdiction. In her comment, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that a guilty verdict against Horauski will also be a verdict for Lukashenka. “I hope we will see more cases under universal jurisdiction against the regime’s henchmen and achieve justice together”, said Tsikhanouskaya.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Kristina Rikhter, addressed Belarusians to file more applications under universal jurisdiction: “If you have been a victim of a crime and are currently not in Belarus, do not remain silent. You can follow the examples of Alena Zakharanka, the daughter of the missing Yury Zakharanka, and Valeryia Krasouskaya, the daughter of Anatol Krasouski, and seek justice. To get help with filing a case under universal jurisdiction, write to legal@tsikhanouskaya.org. We will help you contact our partners in this field”.
FLAG AND COAT OF ARMS DAY. On September 19, 1991, the Supreme Council approved the name of the country – the Republic of Belarus, as well as its state symbols – the Pahonia coat of arms and the white-red-white flag. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, during her speech in the European Parliament, noted that she wants to see the white-red-white flag – the flag of an independent European country – among the flags of the European Union: “I am convinced that this day will come soon because we are working together to make it happen!”. Also, on the occasion of the anniversary of the white-red-white flag adoption, the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment and Belarusian activists in Ukraine launched a huge white-red-white flag towards Belarus.
YOUTH POLICY. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, commented on the regime's proposal to increase the term of mandatory work for university graduates. She noted that this proposal ignores people’s own desires and ambitions and is only an attempt to keep young professionals from leaving the country. “Instead of blaming young people for not paying enough for their education, the government should strive to improve its quality and provide opportunities for young people to fully develop”, Ms. Vorykhava emphasized.
BELARUS-ESTONIA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, held a consultation with the Chairman of the Estonian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee, Marko Mihkelson. They discussed the initiative potentially depriving Belarusians living in Estonia of the right to vote in local elections. Mr. Liabedzka was informed that following a legal appraisal, the issue lost its relevance and any political prospects.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BELARUSIANS. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office team on education released a new issue of the Asveta digest, which covers educational opportunities, scholarships, and internships for Belarusians.
OFFICE VOLUNTEERS. Volunteers of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office held an online meeting with the United Transitional Cabinet Representative for Foreign Affairs, Valery Kavaleuski. During the meeting, he answered questions and spoke about the response to Lukashenka's recent decree and efforts to create a new passport, relations with Ukraine, the European Union, and other partners, as well as the possible closure of borders. An interview in Belarusian is available at the link.
MEDIA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke on various issues to CNN (International), Bild (Germany), Sky News Italia (Italy), TV4 (Sweden), Swedish National Radio (Sweden), Svenska Dagbladet (1, 2) (Sweden), ARD and ZDF (Germany), and LNK (1, 2) (Lithuania).
