Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Second Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora, where she announced the main priorities of the Office and the United Transitional Cabinet:
1. Rebuilding people's agency
“This is not easy as we are in an extraordinary situation: we are the people of a country that does not belong to us. We fought for everyone to distinguish between Belarusians and the regime, and we have successes. But now we face an even greater challenge. That is what the Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the Coordination Council are here for. These structures strengthen the political agency of Belarusians”.
2. Increasing the influence of the diaspora on events and processes in Belarus
“I believe we all see the increasing gap between Belarusians within the country and abroad. Many projects, media, and initiatives are gradually becoming more focused on discussing and solving our local problems, which increases this distance. But in Belarus, there are still many people who want change. So do these people think we represent their interests? Our common task is to answer this question, give Belarusians within the country a sense of support, be a source of faith in the future, inform and help”.
3. Holding the regime accountable and exerting pressure
“We are still far from commencing a Belarus tribunal on Lukashenko and his regime representatives. But we are preparing for this today. Because law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and officials in power must feel that their actions will have consequences. That every verdict against innocent people is a crime for which they will be held responsible in the future. Talks will only begin when these people feel that the threat of punishment is real”.
4. Releasing political prisoners and helping their families
“We are aware of the need to find ways to release people now. We keep raising this issue every day. We need to strive for better conditions in prisons. Support the repressed and their families. Find ways to release people with serious health issues and vulnerable groups”.
Read the entire speech in Belarusian or Russian.
