– On February 7-8, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was on a working visit to Warsaw, where she met with representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, ByPol and ISANS, as well as with the Speaker of the Polish Senate and his deputies. The key outcome of the visit was the Polish Senate’s resolution in support of independent Belarus. An internship program for young politicians will be launched.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also spoke at a plenary session of the Senate of Poland. She urged the senators to be resolute and united in their support for Belarus and, instead of isolating Belarusians, give them a European perspective – emphasizing that Belarusians have always been and should be part of the European family.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting of the United Transition Cabinet and addressed the renewed Coordination Council. The Cabinet approved its six-month report, supported the project for the International Relief Fund for the Repressed, and discussed the new sanctions pressure strategy. At the meeting with the Coordination Council, the parties discussed the structure of the organization and its interaction with the Cabinet.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the sentences of Andrzej Poczobut and rail partisans Yury Selvich and Siarhei Pliashkun: “These sentences demonstrate what the regime wants Belarus to be: a country isolated from the world, where there is no law and no journalism, and where you can't stand against war. My heart is with Andrzej, Siarhei and Yury today. With their families, loved ones, and friends. And with each of the thousands of Belarusians who are now in prison”.
– “Our safety is in our hands. Don't fall for the tricks of a regime that has been deceiving people for almost 30 years”. Kristina Rikhter, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Issues, recorded a video address explaining why the so-called “commission for people wishing to return home” is solely a propaganda effort that has nothing to do with the law.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement in support of the Sport Solidarity Foundation’s position: “Athletes who support repression, rigged elections, and war in Ukraine must not take part in the Olympics. Not under any flag – neither under the state flag, nor under the Russian one, nor under the neutral one”.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians urging them to take care of themselves and their families: “Dear Belarusians, now more than ever it is important for us to stay safe. We must think soberly, without despair and the fear that the regime drives us into. But a plan of action in case of an emergency will not be out of place”.
– Volunteers of the Office held a call with BEROC economist Dzmitry Kruk to discuss the effects of war, sanctions, and restrictive legislation on the Belarusian economy. You can support the Office’s volunteer program through its BYSOL fundraiser.
– The Office’s team for education, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor Tatiana Shchyttsova, released a new issue of the Asveta Digest covering repressions in education in Belarus, educational opportunities for Belarusians, and more. Other issues of the digest are available on its website.
– The Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in Prague in Prague organized a visit of former fighters of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment to the Czech Republic, where they met with Czech politicians and civil society.
– At the suggestion of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Czech Senate drafted a resolution recognizing the KGB and GUBAZiK as organizations that support terrorism. The Czech Senate will vote on February 15.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received in her office the newly-appointed Canadian Ambassador to Poland Catherine Godin, whose diplomatic work will also cover Belarusian issues. The ambassador will not present her credentials to Lukashenka, and she also assured Ms. Tsikhanouskaya of Canada's full support for the democratic forces of Belarus. Canada will provide support to Belarusian researchers, media, and non-government initiatives.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the seminar on Belarus at the London School of Economics and gave interviews with the Europe2023 conference (international media), TVP (Poland), Wyborcza (Poland), TVN24 (Poland), and Rzeczpospolita (Poland).
