Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched the Freedom Day celebrations in Vilnius
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched the Freedom Day celebrations in Vilnius with a ceremonial raising of the white-red-white flag near the Seimas of Lithuania. This ceremony is part of the 107th anniversary of the declaration of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Alongside Ms. Tsikhanouskaya, the event was attended by the First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania, […]
March 25, 2025
“No matter how much they try to silence us, intimidate us, or break our will, we stand firm and proudly say: Long Live Belarus!”
Today, March 25, marks the 107th anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic’s declaration of independence. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addresses Belarusians on Freedom Day: “We all know and cherish in our hearts the date March 25 – the day the Belarusian Democratic Republic declared independence. The day Belarus stepped out of the shadow of an imperial occupier. […]
March 25, 2025
Summary of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Estonia
On March 24, during a short visit to Estonia, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya officially inaugurated the Office of the Democratic Forces of Belarus in Tallinn. Vitaly Malchanau was appointed as the Head of the Mission. This marks the fifth representation of Belarus’ democratic forces abroad – following Vilnius, Warsaw, Brussels, and Prague. The Estonian government, parliament, and […]
March 24, 2025
Office of the Democratic Forces of Belarus launched in Tallinn
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Tallinn on a working trip. She took part in the official opening of the Office of the Democratic Forces of Belarus, which will be led by Vitaly Malchanau, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative in Estonia and Latvia. The event featured speeches by Estonian and Belarusian politicians, as well as an award ceremony honoring Marko […]
March 24, 2025
March in Warsaw, visits to Brussels and London, meeting at the Lithuanian Government Office. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 17–23
FREEDOM DAY On March 25, Belarusians will celebrate Freedom Day, one of the most important national holidays. A key event ahead of the celebration was the march in Warsaw, held on Sunday. Another march in Vilnius is scheduled for Tuesday. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya invited Belarusians to join the celebrations – an opportunity to honor their history, […]
March 24, 2025
“It’s been 1,000 days – an endless time in captivity. That is how long our volunteers have been held as Russian prisoners”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “On June 26, 2022, Belarusian fighters of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment were ambushed near Lysychansk. Their commander, Ivan ‘Brest’ Marchuk, was killed. Several soldiers went missing, and two were taken prisoner by Russian forces. It’s been 1,000 days – an endless time in captivity. That is how long our volunteers, Yan Dziurbeika and […]
March 24, 2025
Consultations took place in London between the UK government and Belarus’ democratic forces
On March 21, the first-ever Strategic Consultations between the UK government and the democratic forces of Belarus took place in London. The consultations were launched by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The UK delegation was led by the Director of the FCDO Eastern Europe and Central Asia Department, Chris Allan, while the […]
March 24, 2025
Strategic Consultations started between the UK and Belarus’ democratic forces
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with the UK Minister of State for Europe, Stephen Doughty, to discuss deepening cooperation between the United Kingdom and the democratic forces of Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya expressed her gratitude to the UK for its unwavering support and welcomed the launch of Strategic Consultations between the UK government and Belarus’ democratic […]
March 21, 2025
UK MPs established a group “For Freedom and Democracy in Belarus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, are currently on a working visit to London. They held a meeting in the UK Parliament with Shadow Minister Wendy Morton and Labour representative Lord George Foulkes, where they announced an important development. An All-Party Parliamentary Group “For Freedom and Democracy in […]
March 21, 2025
“No decree can appoint or abolish the people’s will”
Today, on March 20, Belarus’ Central Election Commission announced that Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s “inauguration” will take place on March 25. This day has symbolized a free and independent Belarus for 107 years, ever since March 25, 1918, when the Belarusian Democratic Republic was declared an independent state. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya issues a statement on the regime’s decision […]
March 21, 2025
“When journalists are imprisoned for their work, society loses its voice”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I always say that the media is the ‘fourth estate’. Yes, they can be critical – and sometimes that’s uncomfortable. They expose our shortcomings and failures – which can be frustrating. But it is journalists who prevent those in power from stagnating. Thanks to them, we correct mistakes, hear what truly matters, and […]
March 21, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with former political prisoner Antanina Kanavalava
Antanina Kanavalava was a trusted representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya during the 2020 presidential election. She was arrested for her civic stance and political activism on September 6, 2020. A month later, the regime also imprisoned her husband, Siarhei Yarashevich. In 2022, Antanina was added to the regime’s list of individuals “involved in terrorist activities”, further […]
March 21, 2025
UN Human Rights Council discussed the human rights situation in Belarus at its 58th session
On March 19, the UN Human Rights Council highlighted the situation in Belarus as a matter requiring its attention yet again. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Belarus presented its latest report, emphasizing the following findings: The mission identified new evidence of crimes against humanity. Violence against protesters after the 2020 election was a continuation […]
March 20, 2025
“Turning people’s stories into a propaganda tool is yet another proof that the regime has no regard for human lives”
Stanislau Brykin, a citizen of Belarus, took his own life in a refugee shelter in Lithuania on March 4, 2025. He had fled Belarus with his family in 2022 after facing political persecution for participating in protests and a strike at Beltelecom. While his wife, Yuliya Brykina-Barysava, and their children later returned to Belarus, he […]
March 19, 2025
“RFE/RL is essential for Belarusians to resist propaganda, Russification, and Russia’s creeping occupation”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians regarding the situation around RFE/RL, emphasizing the crucial role its Belarusian service has played for Belarusian society. She stressed that shutting down RFE/RL would deal a serious blow to independent information and the democratic movement, calling for support for free media. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s full address is available in Belarusian. “We have […]
March 19, 2025
“When a government does not respect its own people, it will not respect its neighbors either”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a working visit to Brussels, where she took part in a meeting of EU ministers for European affairs. She called for active efforts to resolve Belarus’ political crisis. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya proposed 3 practical steps: Isolating the regime. She called on the EU to maintain pressure on the Lukashenka regime as long […]
March 18, 2025
Freedom Day: Join the celebrations worldwide
On March 25, Belarusians around the world will celebrate 107 years since the proclamation of the Belarusian Democratic Republic (BNR). Events, rallies, and gatherings will take place in various countries to unite Belarusians, honor the legacy of the BNR, and show solidarity. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has compiled a list of events so you can join […]
March 18, 2025
Addressing issues faced by Belarusians: Dzianis Kuchynski met with Lithuania’s Working Group on Combating Xenophobia
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, met with the leadership of Lithuania’s newly established Working Group on Combating Xenophobia, chaired by the Prime Minister’s Advisor, Aleksandras Radčenko. The meeting addressed key concerns of the Belarusian community in Lithuania, including: Legalization of residence and legal documents: residence permits, political asylum, and issues with Belarusian passports; Support […]
March 18, 2025
Visit to Strasbourg, Freedom Day. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 10–16
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE On March 11–12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg alongside former political prisoner Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for continued support for Ukraine, European unity, and increased aid for independent media and civil society – emphasizing that such support is also an investment in Europe’s security. […]
March 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Constitution Day address
“Today, Belarus marks Constitution Day – a moment to reflect on the freedom, security, and justice this legal document is meant to uphold. The very essence of a constitution is to protect citizens from police arbitrariness, ensure the peaceful transition of power, and guarantee freedom of speech. Yet, for years, the regime has turned our […]
March 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Kseniya Lutskina
Journalist Kseniya Lutskina was arrested in Belarus in 2020 for her civic stance and sentenced to eight years in prison. A former state TV employee, she openly condemned violence and spoke out against Lukashenka’s policies. She endured harsh prison conditions that severely impacted her health. Kseniya managed to leave Belarus after her release. Now, she […]
March 14, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Strasbourg: Key takeaways
On March 11-12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Strasbourg for a series of high-level meetings and speeches. She addressed the European Parliament and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, as well as met with key European politicians, including European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. The visit focused on critical issues for Belarus: The release of […]
March 13, 2025
“I dream of the day when Belarus returns to this hall as a proud, democratic member of the European family”
During her visit to Strasbourg, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, speaking before ambassadors and diplomats from 46 countries. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya highlighted key regional security concerns and the growing threat of Russian control over Belarus. She stressed that the country has effectively become a military outpost for Russia, with […]
March 12, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Roberta Metsola
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to Strasbourg by meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. They discussed the situation of political prisoners in Belarus and cooperation between the European Parliament and the democratic forces of Belarus. Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, who became Ms. Metsola’s symbolic goddaughter while in prison, was also present at the […]
March 12, 2025
“In times like these, International Women’s Day is not a celebration but a struggle”
The European Parliament held a special plenary session in Strasbourg today, dedicated to International Women’s Day. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech before approximately 700 MEPs. Among the invited speakers were Belarusian activist and former political prisoner Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, as well as representatives from Ukraine – journalist Leniye Umerova and volunteer Tata Kepler. In her speech, […]
March 12, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech at a special plenary session of the European Parliament
Dear members of the European Parliament, Dear President Metsola, dear Roberta, Thank you for your powerful words, for our friendship, and for your incredible leadership. I always say that unconventional times require unconventional solutions. And last year, Roberta, we took such a step together: we signed a Memorandum of cooperation between Belarusian democratic forces, and […]
March 11, 2025
Visit to Italy, solidarity action for political prisoners, meeting with leaders of Belarusian NGOs. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 3–9
VISIT TO ITALY Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited four cities during a working visit to Italy. She held several high-level meetings, including with Florence Mayor Sara Funaro and Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore. They discussed a possible shelter for political refugees from Belarus, internships, scholarships for students, and exchange programs. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also visited the Polish War Cemetery, […]
March 10, 2025
Two years of Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s incommunicado detention
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Let me thank each and every one of you for being here today. Thank you for remembering our political prisoners. For not giving up and continuing to fight. Your solidarity is a force that helps us endure even the hardest trials”.
March 10, 2025
Solidarity action for incommunicado political prisoners took place in Vilnius
A solidarity action took place in Vilnius on March 9 to support political prisoners held incommunicado in Belarus. The event marked two years since Siarhei Tsikhanouski was placed in incommunicado detention. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Let me thank each and every one of you for being here today. Thank you for remembering our political prisoners. For not […]
March 09, 2025