October 02, 2026
“The regime denies a person the most fundamental right — the right to life”
Belarus remains the only country in Europe where death sentences are still carried out. From October 5 to 10, the Viasna Human Rights Center is holding the Week Against the Death Penalty. The events, held ahead of the International Day Against the Death Penalty, will draw attention to why the state should not have the […]
October 01, 2026
Dzianis Kuchynski met with a Spanish Congress delegation in Vilnius
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, met in Vilnius with a delegation from the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Spanish Congress of Deputies, including the Committee Chair, Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, and Committee members César Sánchez Pérez, Txema Guijarro García, and Diego Taibo Monelos. The Ambassador of Spain to Lithuania, José Fernando Fernández-Aguayo Muñoz, […]
October 01, 2026
September 2026: Highlights from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office
September was marked by the release of dozens of political prisoners. Throughout the month, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office also continued its international work, including at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, cooperated with partners to support Belarusians and political prisoners, and worked on security, legal procedures for Belarusians in exile, and Belarusian culture. Below […]
October 01, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Ireland’s Parliament Speaker Verona Murphy
At the European Parliament, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann (Speaker of Parliament of Ireland), Verona Murphy. The parties discussed support for Belarus and ways to make Irish MPs’ cooperation with Belarus’s democratic forces even more practical. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted her appreciation for Ireland’s support and the attention that Irish MPs […]
October 01, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Co-President Sergey Lagodinsky
On September 29, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Brussels with the Co-President of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, Sergey Lagodinsky, to discuss the participation of Belarus’s democratic forces in the work of Euronest. After the 10 seats allocated to Belarus in the PA were frozen in 2020, Belarus’s democratic forces succeeded in restoring access to them, allowing […]
October 01, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola
On September 29, during her visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. They discussed support for Belarus’s democratic movement and further cooperation with European institutions, reaching the following practical agreements: A high-level conference at the European Parliament. The event is scheduled for December. Roberta Metsola confirmed her […]
October 01, 2026
Updates from the Belarus Passport Center
The Belarus Passport Center has published a brief report on its work so far this year. What has been done? The activities of the Belarus Passport Center have been relocated from Lithuania. An audit was conducted, the Center’s structure was reformed, and non-essential costs were optimized. This is expected to help the project become self-sustaining […]
October 01, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Lech Wałęsa Award ceremony
As the Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Lech Wałęsa Award ceremony at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski. This year’s award was presented to Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated the laureate: “I sincerely congratulate Mzia Amaglobeli on this well-deserved recognition. […]
September 30, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the “Poland, June 1976: The Road to Freedom in Europe” Conference
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a keynote speech at the conference “Poland, June 1976: The Road to Freedom in Europe”, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the June 1976 protests in Poland. MEP Małgorzata Gosiewska opened the event. In 1976, tens of thousands of Polish workers took to the streets to protest sharp increases in food prices. […]
September 30, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech at the Second EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum
On September 29, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech at the Second EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum in Brussels, organized by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola with the support of Vice-Presidents Katarina Barley and Esteban González Pons. The forum brought together representatives of the European Endowment for Democracy, the Council of Europe, International IDEA, the European Partnership […]
September 28, 2026
UN General Assembly, simplified legal procedures for Belarusians, release of a Belarusian citizen in Armenia. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: September 21–27
VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES AND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY From September 21 to 24, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was in New York, where, on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, she held a number of meetings and took part in international events. On September 21, the ministerial side […]
September 28, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and human rights defenders discussed Belarusians’ safety and the regime’s accountability for repression
On September 25, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, met in Vilnius with representatives of Belarusian human rights organizations. The meeting focused on the situation of political prisoners and ongoing repression, documenting crimes, international accountability mechanisms, transnational repression, and the regime’s abuse of Interpol mechanisms, as well as legal challenges faced by Belarusians […]
September 28, 2026
Belarusians can now apply for Lithuanian residence permits in Armenia and Georgia
Belarusian citizens will soon be able to apply for temporary residence permits in Lithuania through VFS Global offices in Armenia and Georgia. This was announced by Lithuania’s Ministry of the Interior. From November 1, applications for temporary residence permits can be submitted directly in Armenia and Georgia through VFS Global. Belarusians staying in these countries […]
September 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Mike Pompeo to discuss lessons from 2020 and Belarus’s independence
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the former US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who served during President Donald Trump’s first administration. The meeting focused in particular on the events of 2019–2020 and the US efforts at the time to expand the space for Belarus’s independence […]
September 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with global political and business leaders in New York
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the annual Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards ceremony, which brought together representatives of governments, international business, civil society, and the media. This year’s honorees were Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, […]
September 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met Bill Clinton 32 years after his historic visit to Belarus
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton. The meeting took place during the Clinton Global Initiative meeting, which Tsikhanouskaya has attended for several years. Former President Clinton asked about the situation in Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s work, and how […]
September 25, 2026
“Dictatorships can seem eternal — until they suddenly fall”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Clinton Global Initiative
In New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting. CGI brings together political leaders, businesses, philanthropic foundations, and civil society around concrete initiatives to address global challenges. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya took part in the discussion “Europe at a Turning Point: Strengthening Security, Solidarity, […]
September 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Slovenia’s new Prime Minister Janez Janša
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša, who returned to office in June 2026, beginning his fourth term as prime minister. Mr. Janša and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya previously met in Ljubljana in 2021, when he was also serving as Slovenia’s […]
September 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan. She thanked Romania for its support for the Belarusian people and its firm position within the European Union and called for keeping Belarus on the European agenda and supporting the country’s democratic forces and […]
September 24, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with UN Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher and leaders of international humanitarian organizations
In New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a closed-door meeting organized by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, and the Founder of the Minderoo Foundation, Andrew Forrest. The discussions focused on the future of international humanitarian assistance, including the role of G7 countries, efforts to broaden the donor […]
September 24, 2026
Third Women’s Political Leadership Academy held in Prague
The Third Women’s Political Leadership Academy took place in Prague from September 13 to 18. It was held for the second consecutive year through the joint efforts of the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, and the Prague Regional Office of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. Eleven Belarusian women from […]
September 24, 2026
Expired passports, international protection, and repression: Legal challenges facing Belarusians discussed in Italy
On September 23, the Florence Bar Association held a meeting dedicated to the legal challenges facing Belarusians in Italy. The Belarusian side was represented by: Yuliya Yukhno, Head of the Belarusian Democratic Community Center; a representative of the People’s Embassy of Belarus in Italy; Leanid Marozau, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs; Uladzimir Labkovich, a […]
September 24, 2026
Finland to provide an additional €100,000 to support political prisoners in Belarus
On the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, as the Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, and the Political Secretary of State of Finland, Pasi Rajala. Following the meetings, Finland announced an additional €100,000 in aid to Belarusians affected […]
September 23, 2026
Release of 25 political prisoners, Ostrogski Forum. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: September 14–20
RELEASE OF 25 POLITICAL PRISONERS On September 16, 25 political prisoners were released and taken to Lithuania. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya came in person to welcome the released political prisoners and shared a guide for Belarusians to support them. She released a statement: “Every person released is a victory. So today’s release is another humanitarian result, but […]
September 22, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented Danchyk with the Francysk Skaryna Medal
In New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented Belarusian singer and journalist Danchyk (Bohdan Andrusyshyn) with the Francysk Skaryna Medal for his longstanding contribution to Belarusian culture, language, and freedom of speech. The ceremony took place at the Delegation of the European Union to the UN in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly. […]
September 22, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Senator Jeanne Shaheen to discuss sanctions and US policy toward Belarus
On the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Free Belarus Caucus in the US Senate and one of the most active US lawmakers on Belarus. The caucus was established in 2021. They discussed the future of US policy […]
September 22, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Kaja Kallas in New York
On the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the release of a group of political prisoners and the humanitarian efforts of the United States, in particular Special Envoy John Coale. […]
September 22, 2026
Side event on the margins of the UN General Assembly: “Belarus: Accomplice in Russia’s War Against Ukraine and a Threat to International Security”
On September 21, a ministerial event was held in New York on the margins of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, focusing on the situation in Belarus, its role in Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the implications of the Lukashenka regime’s policies for regional and international security. The meeting […]
September 21, 2026
Overview of developments in education and science: August 2026
Developments in Belarus Continued repression in the academic community As of early August 2026, human rights organizations had documented 183 cases of persecution related to the designation of the European Humanities University as an “extremist organization.” The persecution affects students and graduates, their parents, lecturers, and former EHU employees. There have been known cases of […]