Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is the legitimate representative of Belarusians based on the results of the 2020 presidential election. According to numerous accounts and studies, more than half of voters cast their ballots for her in the first round. Here are just some of the publications that confirm this:

• Center for East European and International Studies (ZOiS) (Germany)
• Voice (Holas)
• A study of the 2020 election results based on official polling station protocols and Voice (Holas) data

The results announced by the Central Election Commission were falsified and sparked mass protests across Belarus. Belarusian society and many international partners did not recognize the election as free and fair. Following the election, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya became a symbol of the democratic choice of the Belarusian people and continues to represent their demand for free elections, an end to repression, and Belarus’s independence.

The 2020 mandate is not a “permanent mandate to govern,” nor does it replace new elections. However, since 2020, Belarus has had no opportunity to hold a free and fair vote in which the entire society could participate: independent media and civil society organizations have been dismantled, political parties have been dissolved, tens of thousands of people have been subjected to arrest and repression, repression continues, and many leaders and activists remain in prison. By various estimates, more than half a million people have been forced into exile.

The international community recognizes Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya as the leader of Belarus’s democratic forces and a representative of Belarus. The European Union, the United States, the Council of Europe, and other partners engage with her because she represents a democratic alternative to the Lukashenka regime and the voice of those Belarusians who want to live in a free, independent, and democratic country.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office is an open and transparent organization that anyone can contact regarding a wide range of issues. To keep communication accessible, convenient, and, most importantly, secure, we have prepared a list of ways to contact the Office and Sviatlana directly.

Here’s how you can contact Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office.

• Find key contact details, to reach Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office regarding a wide range of issues.
• Join one-on-one conversations with Sviatlana — a format where you can ask Ms. Tsikhanouskaya questions directly. Look for announcements about such meetings on Sviatlana’s official pages or leave your email address in the dedicated form on the page.
• Submit your inquiry to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office via this link.
• For questions regarding interviews and cooperation with the press, please contact the Press Office.
• Send official invitations and diplomatic proposals to the address provided via the link.
• Subscribe to event announcements and news from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office here.
• You can submit an anonymous message. This is a secure way to share with us what is happening in Belarus and any other information — all data is reliably protected by encryption protocols and is not stored on the server.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office supports the political work of Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya as the National Leader of Belarus and represents the interests of Belarusians both inside the country and in exile. Our work focuses on several key areas.

1) Protecting the rights and interests of Belarusians and supporting political prisoners. We draw attention to repression, work to secure the release of political prisoners, and advocate for easier legal procedures for Belarusians in exile, including visas, residence permits, etc. For practical assistance — including obtaining documents, legal consultations, social support, and other forms of assistance — we work in partnership with the People’s Embassies of Belarus, civil society organizations, and diaspora groups.

2) International representation. We communicate the position of Belarus’s democratic forces to other countries and international organizations, keep the international community focused on the situation in Belarus, and support pressure on the Lukashenka regime, including through sanctions.

3) Consolidating democratic forces. The Office supports Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s work as Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and facilitates cooperation with the Coordination Council, civil society initiatives, and Belarusian diaspora communities.

4) Preparing reform proposals for the country’s future. As part of the New Belarus vision, we develop strategies, reform proposals, draft legislation, and analytical materials to support a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.

Please note that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office is a political, not governmental, entity. It is not a court, human rights organization, donor, or humanitarian fund. For specific requests — including legal assistance or support for political prisoners — we recommend specialized organizations and initiatives whenever possible.

The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (OST) is a team that supports her work as the leader of the democratic forces of Belarus, including international meetings, public communications, engagement with partners, and the promotion of the interests of the Belarusian people.

The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (OST) is an executive body that coordinates work in key areas: defending Belarus’s independence, supporting political prisoners, international policy, exerting pressure on the regime, and preparing for a democratic transition.

The Coordinating Council (CC) is an elected representative body where various political forces, initiatives, experts, and civil society can discuss decisions, develop and agree on common positions and strategies, and exercise public oversight.

There are also political parties, foundations, human rights organizations, People’s Embassies, media outlets, and diaspora initiatives. They operate independently but may collaborate with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the Coordination Council on specific tasks.

Every week, we publish an overview of the Office’s work on the official website.

As for reports, organizations are accountable to their funders, providing detailed information on their activities and expenditures. For security reasons, no Belarusian organization in exile currently publishes full financial reports publicly.

In 2024, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office also underwent an independent audit. The results were published openly to ensure transparency and maintain trust.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office helps Belarusians primarily through political and international advocacy. It raises issues with the authorities of other countries regarding visas, legal procedures, travel documents, education, employment, and the prevention of discrimination against Belarusians.

The Office also works to secure the release of political prisoners and support civil society, independent media, and Belarusian initiatives. It receives appeals from citizens and brings their concerns to the attention of international partners.

At the same time, the Office is not a humanitarian fund, migration service, or legal organization. If it cannot resolve a specific issue itself, it seeks to refer the person to a relevant human rights, humanitarian, or diaspora organization.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office does not provide direct financial assistance or influence the distribution of funds by foundations. We are not a donor organization. Our main focus is advocating with our international partners, countries, and organizations for resources to be allocated to Belarusian civil society.

The Legal Team at Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office focuses primarily on addressing systemic issues related to legal stay, international protection, visas and documents, family reunification, and other matters.

We recommend contacting, first and foremost, organizations or initiatives that specialize in legal assistance in these areas, as each country has its own national laws governing these matters.

We can conduct an initial analysis of the situation and refer you to our colleagues at other organizations. In certain exceptional and urgent cases, we may become more deeply involved.

We issue such letters only to volunteers, partners, and activists with whom we collaborate directly, and solely to confirm the fact of our collaboration. Unfortunately, we are unable to prepare individual letters of recommendation.

We also recommend contacting human rights organizations and initiatives. For example, the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers can assist in drafting letters describing individual cases of persecution and situations faced by Belarusians. You can also contact the Viasna Human Rights Center; they can review your situation and prepare an individual letter confirming persecution.

First, you need to check what options are available in the country where you are staying. In some countries, you can obtain an alien’s passport, a travel document, or use an expired Belarusian passport for certain procedures.

If you have grounds for international protection, you should consider this option, since once granted, countries issue travel and residence documents (the so-called Geneva passport).

We also recommend keeping an eye on developments related to the New Belarusian Passport. initiative.

For questions regarding legal stay and immigration status, you can contact the Legal Initiative for consultation.

If you are facing deportation to Belarus, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible from a local lawyer or attorney specializing in immigration matters. You can also report your situation to our Legal Team. In your inquiry, please briefly describe the circumstances of your case and attach any available documents: the deportation order, the denial of international protection, court documents, evidence of political persecution in Belarus, etc.

You can contact the Legal Team at legal@tsikhanouskaya.org

Belarusian human rights organizations systematically collect such information. You can contact the Viasna Human Rights Center, directly with information about politically motivated persecution.

The International Committee for the Investigation of Torture in Belarus also documents torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. You should contact the Committee if you wish to document everything that has happened to you.

To receive assistance, you should contact support organizations. A list of such organizations with contact information is available in the dedicated section on our website.

On this matter, we recommend contacting the Viasna Human Rights Center directly, which handles issues related to the recognition of political prisoners and is part of the team compiling the humanitarian list. They will explain in detail how the procedure for granting this status works and what steps need to be taken. They will also be able to ex

They will also be able to explain the procedure and the necessary steps in detail and answer any additional questions.

If you need help evacuating from Belarus, you should contact the BYSOL Foundation. To do so, fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/U7xgtNfyR5E31BJ48.

We recommend that you make your travel decision based on your personal situation. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee your safety in any particular country — this depends largely on many factors, including the extent to which the Lukashenka regime’s security forces cooperate with law enforcement agencies in other countries.

When planning a trip, we recommend using the following resources:

• Pashpart.org — a safe travel map for Belarusians: https://pashpart.org/travel-safety/europe/
• Safe Travel — a safe travel guide: https://safetravel.legin.info

If you need more detailed advice, you can contact the Legal Initiative.

A number of organizations can provide this type of documentation. If you have faced politically motivated persecution, you can contact the Viasna Human Rights Center. They can review the documents you provide and prepare a legal opinion.

You can also contact the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers which, after a detailed review of all the circumstances, may also prepare such a document.

If you have collaborated or are currently collaborating with organizations and initiatives that are recognized by the regime as “extremist formations”, their letters of support may also help you obtain legal status in your country of residence.

It is also worth paying attention to local Belarusian initiatives, which may also provide similar documents confirming your participation in the life of the Belarusian diaspora.

We post public events featuring Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and our team on our website We post public events featuring Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and our team on our website, as well as on social media.

The Office’s position is that the political crisis in Belarus must be resolved through negotiations, but not at any cost. Belarus’s democratic forces must participate in these negotiations, and the process may take place with international mediation and be accompanied by binding guarantees that agreements will be implemented.

The conditions for the start of substantive negotiations must include an end to repression, torture, and inhumane treatment of political prisoners, as well as access for lawyers to them.

The goals of the negotiations are the release and rehabilitation of political prisoners, restoration of civil rights and independent institutions, protection of Belarus’s sovereignty, and new free elections.

The red lines are the legitimization of Lukashenka, the loss of the country’s independence, and the preservation of the current political system without genuine democratic changes.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office advocates for the use of negotiations, international channels, and humanitarian contacts that can lead to the release of people, an end to torture, and a halt to further repression. The lives and health of political prisoners are our unconditional priority.

At the same time, the release of these individuals must not be used to legitimize Lukashenka, to drop key demands on the regime, or to preserve the repressive system. Our goal is a complete end to political persecution, as well as the release and rehabilitation of all those who have suffered.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office strongly condemns Russian aggression against Ukraine and supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-defense. A just end to the war must include the restoration of international law, accountability for those responsible, and the return of Ukrainian children who were illegally taken out of the country.

The Lukashenka regime bears responsibility for providing Belarusian territory and infrastructure to the Russian army. The Office advocates for an end to this support and the withdrawal of Russian troops. At the same time, the Belarusian people should be distinguished from the regime: many Belarusians have opposed the war, disrupted military logistics, supported Ukraine, and stood up for its freedom.

The strategic goal is the triumph of international law, an independent Ukraine, and a free Belarus — one not controlled by Russia and not used for aggression against its neighbors.

Yes. The Office has both public strategies and internal work plans. Publicly available documents cover the transition to a New Belarus, protecting the country’s independence, securing the release of political prisoners, holding free elections, and future reforms.

Internal plans are developed and updated annually based on the current situation, available opportunities, and resources. They cover different possible scenarios and assign specific tasks to teams. Some of these plans are not made public because the information they contain may quickly become outdated or create risks for people and initiatives inside Belarus.

Yes. The New Belarus Transition Strategy serves as a roadmap for democratic transformation designed for the transition period. It covers the restoration of constitutional order, the holding of free elections, and reforms of public administration and local self-government, the judicial and law enforcement systems, the economy, education, the social sector, and the media.

Drafts of a new Constitution and several key laws have also been prepared, while work continues on additional concepts and roadmaps. This is therefore not a final program for a future government, but a foundation for public and expert discussion that will need to be refined based on the situation in the country and decisions made by the democratically elected authorities.

Yes. The Office considers such negotiations possible and, moreover, has openly called for them. It is important to distinguish between two things. The regime is not limited to Aliaksandr Lukashenka; it also includes people working in the government, other state institutions, and local authorities. For us, Lukashenka himself is essentially a “spent force”: he is concerned not with Belarus or the future of its people, but with his own political survival. At the same time, many people within the system are tired of him and are increasingly thinking about what will happen after he is gone.

That is why we are reaching out to people within the system — managers, officials, and security personnel — with an offer of dialogue, negotiations, and cooperation to preserve Belarus’s sovereignty and secure its future. We are addressing those who are ready to put the country’s interests above personal loyalty to one individual.

Our principles, however, remain unchanged. Such dialogue does not mean legitimizing Lukashenka or recognizing the legitimacy of repression. The conditions remain the same: an end to new arrests and torture, the release of political prisoners, and the mandatory participation of the democratic forces in any negotiations about the country’s future. The protection of Belarus’s independence is non-negotiable.

We are already preparing a Post-Lukashenka Belarus scenario and believe that responsible dialogue with parts of the system can help make the transition to change peaceful and orderly.

The Office views the future relationship between Belarus and Russia as one between two independent and equal states, based on international law, transparent agreements, and mutual benefit. Economic and people-to-people ties may continue, though without political pressure, secret agreements, or special conditions for those close to the regime.

The main condition is the restoration of Belarus’s sovereignty: the withdrawal of Russian troops and nuclear weapons, an end to the use of Belarusian territory for aggression, and withdrawal from structures that entrench military and political dependence on Moscow. The democratic forces also advocate for a revision of the Union State Treaty.

Belarus’s integration into Europe is considered a strategic priority. This does not imply hostility toward Russians or a refusal to trade, but relations with Russia should not dictate Belarus’s domestic and foreign policies. Final decisions must be made by Belarusian citizens and the democratic government they have elected.

The discussion of Belarus’s possible NATO membership or neutrality, similar to that of Switzerland, is a complex issue that requires consideration of many factors. The final decision on the country’s foreign policy course must be made exclusively by the people of Belarus through democratic procedures.

According to the New Belarus Transition Strategy, once the regime loses control, a transitional government will temporarily take over the country’s administration. Its task is to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of state institutions and the provision of public services, ensure security, restore the rule of law, and create conditions for political competition. The first stage of the transition is planned to take place within 180 days and conclude with the first democratic elections.

For the elections, it is proposed to reconstitute the Central Election Commission with individuals who enjoy public trust, ensure the participation of various political forces, allow independent media and observers, and invite an international mission from the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The first elections may be held under the current Electoral Code with democratic rules approved by the reconstituted CEC; subsequent elections will be held under a new code.

The sequence will depend on the situation. If there is broad consensus, a referendum on the new Constitution could be held first, followed by parliamentary and presidential elections. If a swift agreement on the Constitution cannot be reached, it is proposed not to prolong the interim administration and to elect a parliament first. The entire transition program is tentatively scheduled to last six years and cover two electoral cycles, but this is a scenario framework, not a guaranteed timeline.

You can submit an idea or initiative through the Office’s official channels.

In your submission, please briefly indicate what problem the initiative addresses, who it is intended for, what results are expected, what has already been done, and what support is required from the Office. It is also advisable to provide a secure way to contact you.

Submitting a proposal does not imply automatic approval or participation by the Office: the possibility of collaboration depends on whether the initiative aligns with the Office’s priorities, available resources, and associated risks.

If you represent an organization or community of Belarusians and would like to establish a partnership with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, please email us at outreach@tsikhanouskaya.org.

If you would like to request the Office’s patronage or partnership for an event you are organizing, please submit your request in advance, ideally 2–3 months before the event, using the dedicated form on our website: https://tsikhanouskaya.org/be/partnyorstva-z-ofisam-svyatlany-cixanouskaj.html. A representative of the Office will contact you within one week of receiving your request.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office does not have its own resources to provide financial or technical support.

We are not a donor organization, and our primary focus is advocating for the allocation of resources among our international partners, countries, and organizations.

At the same time, we never participate in the distribution of funds among organizations or projects.

Send an official invitation to office@tsikhanouskaya.org.

• Become a volunteer for the Office. The Office has a Volunteer Program: people help with specific tasks, such as researching information, writing and translating texts, and other day-to-day work on the path to a free Belarus. You can sign up on the official website.
• Support political prisoners. This is one of the most important ways to help. You can write letters to prisoners — dissidentby.com can help with addresses and guidelines. You can support political prisoners and their families through solidarity funds like BySol and A Country to Live In Foundation. Even a single letter means a great deal to someone behind bars. Become a mentor for released political prisoners through Volnyya.
• Take part in solidarity actions and share reliable information. The voices of Belarusians in exile and our international allies help keep the world’s attention focused on the situation in Belarus.
• Submit your idea, project, or collaboration proposal. The Office is open to suggestions — you can reach us via Telegram at http://t.me/askoffice_15 or by email at askoffice@tsikhanouskaya.org.

If you are in Belarus, please assess the risks carefully. Use a VPN and secure communication channels and avoid leaving unnecessary digital traces. Some forms of support are safer to provide from abroad. Your safety is more important than any individual action.

We currently have no open positions. You can send your CV and a brief description of your professional experience to askoffice@tsikhanouskaya.org — we’ll keep it on file, and if suitable openings arise in the future, we’ll be sure to contact you.

As for internships, we currently have no open positions. You can send your CV and a brief description of yourself and your professional experience to askoffice@tsikhanouskaya.org — we’ll keep it on file, and if suitable opportunities arise in the future, we’ll be sure to contact you.