BELARUS-ESTONIA. On November 10, Tallinn will host the first Belarus-Estonia Conference, organized by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the Estonian Institute of Human Rights, and the European Endowment for Democracy. The conference will aim to strengthen ties between democratic Belarus and Estonia, as well as develop an effective strategy vis-a-vis Belarus.
NEW BELARUSIAN PASSPORT. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shared the progress with the new Belarusian passport: “Right now we are working on producing the first passport samples. We have initiated procurement of materials needed for their printing. We are already consulting with foreign politicians, informing them about our actions and plans. Parallel to our political work at the international level, we are working on establishing an issuing authority. It is worth mentioning that the passport does not remove the need to legalize the stay in a specific country. Visas and residence permits will still be required”.
BELARUS-LATVIA. The Latvian Parliament adopted amendments to the road traffic law that ban vehicles with Russian registration from entering or staying in Latvia. The amendments had initially included the same restrictions against vehicles with Belarusian license plates that were later removed. Anatoli Liabedzka, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, commented on the Latvian Parliament’s decision: “This could have affected Belarusians if not for our targeted systemic work with the parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus” and direct communication with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa”.
DZIADY. On November 2, Dziady (Forefathers’ Eve), Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “Let us remember our Belarusian heroes together. Those who died during the protests. Those who died in prison. Those who died in the war, fighting for the freedom of Ukraine and Belarus. Memories of them live in our hearts, in my heart too. And their courage and dignity inspire us to continue fighting for a better future that we all dream of”.
SUPPORT FOR THE REPRESSED. Last week, the Social Policy Department of the United Transitional Cabinet launched an information and consultation platform named “One Contact”, where every Belarusian can receive free assistance. At the moment, the platform’s database includes 245 organizations that provide legal, medical, psychological, and financial assistance to Belarusians or are engaged in resolving various social issues. The platform offers phone consultations, as well as consultations via its website, chatbot, social media accounts, and email help@by.social.
VISIT TO BERLIN. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed plans for her working visit to Berlin: “Next week, my team and I will be visiting Berlin. We will launch the Alliance “For a Democratic Belarus”, which will unite dozens of parliamentary groups from various countries. We will come together to develop a common strategy vis-a-vis Belarus. During the visit, I will meet with the President of the Bundestag, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Libereco NGO, and the Belarusian diaspora”.
BELARUS-UKRAINE FORUM IN LVIV. On November 4-5, Lviv hosted the second Astrozski Belarus-Ukraine Forum, which discussed various formats of cooperation between the countries. The Belarusian side joined Ukrainian politicians and MPs to discuss key events, trends, and expectations regarding Ukraine-Belarus relations. The event was attended by Anatoli Liabedzka, Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, and Henadzi Manko, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet’s Mission of Democratic Belarus in Kyiv.
SOLIDARITY WITH POLITICAL PRISONERS. In anticipation of Christmas, A Country to Live in Foundation, in partnership with Dissidentby, Littowin LIONS CLUB, Politzek.me, the People’s Embassies of Belarus and the Association of Belarusians in America (ABA) announced “Christmas Post” for the children of political prisoners. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya supported this initiative and urged Belarusians to “become wizards” for the children of political prisoners and bring warmth and care to the children whose parents are currently behind bars. The children of political prisoners can draw or write in a letter about a gift they would like to find under the Christmas tree. Read more about the initiative at the link and donate using Stripe.
ANSWERS TO BELARUSIANS’ QUESTIONS. Readers of RFE/RL’s Current Time Belarus asked Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya about progress with the new Belarusian passport, efforts to release political prisoners, and her political views. In the interview, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also talked about her children and her ways of dealing with stress.
MEDIA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Together Magazine (International), Current Time (Belarus), and Radio Svaboda (Belarus).
