Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, I want to speak about the people whose right to a dignified life requires special attention and protection. International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a reminder that our society must be just and inclusive for everyone, with no exceptions. There are over 560,000 people with disabilities living in Belarus, yet their […]
May 05, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Sedona Forum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to the United States by participating in the Sedona Forum, hosted annually by the McCain Institute. The forum brings together global leaders to discuss major challenges to democracy, human rights, and security. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke on a panel dedicated to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, shifts in European […]
May 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s World Press Freedom Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I started this morning, like many others, with Obychnoe Utro. I skimmed the headlines and checked the latest updates on repression. It’s become a routine for me – even on days packed with meetings and speeches during official visits. But thanks to the work of independent media, I can speak about Belarus at […]
May 04, 2025
Monthly recap: April 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The Viasna Human Rights Center’s Legal Service prepared a guide for Belarusians facing confiscation of their property by the regime in Belarus. A new creative space, Art Fusion Space, opened in Vilnius. Cultural NGOs published an open letter with recommendations on how to better integrate cultural topics into political forums and conferences. The Humanitarian Ambulance […]
May 02, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Labor Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today’s ‘holiday’ came to us from Soviet times, when labor was called an honor and the worker a hero – but only in words. In reality, workers were nothing more than cogs in a vast system where human life had no value. Unfortunately, this same attitude has been adopted by the current regime. […]
May 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the release of Yury Ziankovich
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I was overjoyed to learn about the release of Yury Ziankovich – a United States citizen who has been unjustly convicted by the Lukashenka regime and held as a political prisoner in Belarus. His release is the result of tremendous effort. Let me thank the President of the United States, the State Department, […]
May 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Speech at the European People’s Party Congress in Valencia
Dear Congress, Russia is turning my country, Belarus, into a military outpost. Deploying nuclear weapons. Militarizing industry. Massive drills – Zapad – are expected this fall. Last time, with such drills the full-scale invasion started. Thousands of Russian troops will gather, again, near the Lithuanian and Polish border. And yet, Belarus is barely mentioned in […]
April 30, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Three Seas Summit in Warsaw
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Three Seas Initiative Summit in Warsaw, held at the invitation of Polish President Andrzej Duda. It was the first time Ms. Tsikhanouskaya was invited to the summit, which brought together delegations from over 20 countries. The Three Seas Initiative is a regional cooperation platform among Central and Eastern European […]
April 30, 2025
“Democratic Belarus will be a security guarantee for the entire region”
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy in Vilnius, where she met with the Academy’s Chief of Staff, Lt Col Denisas Starikovičius. During her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya urged not to give in to the regime’s provocations and manipulations and to distinguish the Belarusian people from the pro-Russian regime: “Belarusians respect Lithuania, its […]
April 30, 2025
Chornobyl Way, funeral of Pope Francis, Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, April 21–27
CHORNOBYL WAY April 26 marked the 39th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on this occasion: “Chornobyl is not as distant as it may seem. Today’s regime behaves just like the Soviet authorities during the disaster. It is easier for them to stay silent, forget, and ignore. Chornobyl remains an inconvenient […]
April 28, 2025
Alexander Dabravolski: “Dictatorship is like another Chornobyl for Belarus”
Today, Belarusians in Vilnius honored the memory of the victims of the Chornobyl disaster. Dozens of people joined the events dedicated to the 39th anniversary of one of the most tragic events in Belarus’ history. Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Swedes, representatives of international organizations, politicians, and experts also participated in the event. The rally was held to […]
April 28, 2025
Statement on the 39th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
On April 26, we mark 39 years since the largest man-made disaster of the 20th century — the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. This tragedy cast a dark shadow over Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, and many other European countries. Belarus became the country with the most contaminated territory (23%) and, as a result, the […]
April 27, 2025
Dzianis Kuchynski: “Pope Francis believed that dialogue is the solution to any crisis”
A delegation of Belarus’ democratic forces, which included Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and representatives of Christian Vision, took part in the funeral ceremony for Pope Francis at the Vatican. The delegation members offered their condolences to the Holy See and joined the memorial mass at St. Peter’s Square. After the ceremony, Dzianis Kuchynski […]
April 27, 2025
“For 29 years, Viasna has been defending Belarusians’ rights”
April 26 marks 29 years since the Viasna Human Rights Center was launched. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “For 29 years, Viasna has been defending Belarusians’ rights. It’s been 29 years of tireless work for justice. Throughout this time, dozens of human rights defenders have stood beside everyone who fell into the repressive grip of the regime in […]
April 27, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid tribute to Chornobyl disaster victims
On April 26, as Belarusians held events around the world to mark the anniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya laid flowers at the Chornobyl Mother monument in Vilnius. Diplomats and ambassadors from the Czech Republic, Croatia, and other Western countries also attended the ceremony.
April 27, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks 39 years since the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Almost four decades have passed, yet Belarus still feels the consequences of that catastrophe. The regime continues to conceal statistics on diseases and diagnoses in the contaminated areas. The same thing happened during the COVID pandemic five years ago, when the authorities advised people […]
April 27, 2025
Dzianis Kuchynski to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received an invitation from the Holy See to form a delegation from the democratic forces of Belarus to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican, which will take place on Saturday morning. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya has appointed her Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, to lead the delegation and take part in the official […]
April 26, 2025
Visit to Kosovo, roundtable discussion in Czechia, vote in the Lithuanian Seimas. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, April 14–20
EASTER GREETINGS Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wished a Happy Easter to all Belarusians: “Easter is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. Let this day serve as a reminder: The future belongs to those who preserve their humanity. To those who reject falsehood and continue to change the world through love and support”. CHORNOBYL WAY […]
April 23, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Earth Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It may seem that during economic crises, war, and repression, there’s no time to think about the environment. But it is precisely in such times that we must treat nature with special care and think about the world we will leave to our children. In a country where the regime pays no attention […]
April 23, 2025
Condolences on behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the passing of Pope Francis
“I received the news of the passing of Pope Francis with deep sorrow. His pontificate was a true example of service to humanity — marked by concern for people and unwavering struggle for dignity, freedom, and justice. He always stood beside those who were humiliated and persecuted. His voice resounded in defense of nations suffering […]
April 22, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wishes a Happy Easter to all Belarusians
“Easter is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. It reminds us of those who kept faith and hope alive, even through the darkest times. Even when it seemed that evil was winning, fear, lies, and violence could not defeat humanity and truth. Let this day serve as a reminder: the future belongs […]
April 21, 2025
Daniil Garkavy leaves the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Daniil Garkavy, head of the external relations department, has decided to conclude his work with the Office. The department will continue its work in key areas, including engagement with civil society organizations and the diaspora, organizing and analyzing feedback, as well as the volunteer program. We thank Daniil Garkavy for his professionalism, dedication, and contribution […]
April 20, 2025
Belarusian democratic forces in Pristina: cooperation with the Republic of Kosovo
Over the past two days, a delegation of Belarusian democratic forces visited Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, at the invitation of the Office of the President of Kosovo. Representing Belarus were Franak Viacorka, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor; Dzianis Kuchynski, Diplomatic Advisor; and Anatoli Liabedzka, Interparliamentary Cooperation Advisor. They were joined by Pavel Liber, founder of […]
April 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on The World Day of Culture
“Culture is the soul of every nation. It’s not made of textbooks or school field trips to museums. It is shaped by the wisdom and lessons of our ancestors, by children’s fairy tales and myths. By the history of a people passed down through songs and traditional dress. Culture helps us hold on to ourselves […]
April 16, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya awards the Francysk Skaryna Medal to distinguished musician and composer Lavon Volski
The Francysk Skaryna Medal is awarded for contributions to the development of Belarusian science, education, and culture. In the case of Lavon Volski, it is a recognition of his decades-long work, through which his music has become an integral part of Belarus’s musical life. The Belarusian leader thanked the musician for his influence on shaping […]
April 16, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the founder of Blue/Yellow
The Belarusian leader, together with the United Transitional Cabinet’s Representative for Defense and National Security, Vadzim Kabanchuk, met in Vilnius with Jonas Oehman, the head of the Blue/Yellow organization. Blue/Yellow is a Lithuanian charity organization that has been supporting Ukrainian military forces since 2014, providing them with equipment and humanitarian aid. Over the course of […]
April 16, 2025
Belarus’ Future is European: Round Table with Belarusian Democratic Forces and Czech Partners took place in Prague
On April 11, 2025, a round table titled “Belarus’ Future is European. Choosing Values over Fear” was held in Prague at CEVRO University. The event gathered Belarusian representatives of democratic forces, Czech politicians and academicians, diplomats, security experts, and analysts. This discussion was organized by the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in Czech Republic, led by its […]
April 15, 2025
Conference of Belarusians of the World, a statement on the anniversary of the Minsk metro terrorist attack, and a conference in Prague. Summary of the Work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, April 7–13
CONFERENCE OF BELARUSIANS OF THE WORLD From May 23–25, Warsaw will host the 4th Conference of Belarusians of the World. The event will bring together diaspora representatives to discuss support for political prisoners, coordination of joint efforts, and cultural and educational initiatives. To make the conference program as relevant as possible to participants’ expectations and […]
April 14, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the anniversary of the terrorist attack at Kastrychnitskaya metro station in Minsk
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “April 11, 2011. A date that echoes with fear and pain in the hearts of every Belarusian. Fourteen years ago, an explosion rocked one of the busiest metro stations in Minsk during rush hour. Fifteen people were killed, hundreds were injured, many of them seriously. We never learned the truth about what really […]
April 14, 2025