Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the Margaret Thatcher Award
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the Margaret Thatcher Award in Rome, presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and principled commitment to defending freedom. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that the Belarusian revolution is often called a “revolution with a woman’s face”, dedicating the award to the brave Belarusian women who have become symbols […]
December 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Parliamentary Group “For a Democratic Belarus” in Italy
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of the Group “For a Democratic Belarus” in the Italian Parliament in Rome today. She thanked the MPs for their solidarity and steadfast support for Belarus – both in international organizations and in their assistance to Belarusian refugees, former political prisoners, and volunteers who fought for Ukraine. She stressed that […]
December 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the release of 123 political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, 123 political prisoners were released after being illegally deprived of their freedom for a long time. Among them are Maryia Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka, Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak, Valiantsin Stefanovich, Uladzimir Labkovich, Maryna Zolatava, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, Pavel Seviarynets, and others. For their relatives and loved ones, this is a moment of relief after […]
December 14, 2025
5 years of the People’s Embassies! Answering the key questions
On December 10, the People’s Embassies of Belarus mark their fifth anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, we answer the main questions about the project. 1) What are the People’s Embassies? The People’s Embassies of Belarus are a network of democratic representations abroad, created by Belarusians for Belarusians in 2020. They perform the functions that official […]
December 12, 2025
“Repression will not stop our pursuit of freedom and justice”
On Human Rights Day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, speaks about the human rights situation in Belarus, as well as the crucial role of human rights defenders, who, despite repression, continue to defend the truth and document the regime’s crimes. Leanid Marozau: “On Human Rights Day, I want to emphasize that in […]
December 12, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended today’s Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in Oslo at the invitation of this year’s laureate, María Corina Machado – the Venezuelan opposition leader and prominent defender of democracy who has spent many years fighting for freedom and human rights in her country. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am at the Nobel Prize ceremony in […]
December 10, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Human Rights Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Freedom, dignity, and the right to be heard belong to every human being, regardless of their citizenship, religion, or place of residence. But in Belarus, the regime is doing everything it can to destroy human rights. Thousands of Belarusians remain behind bars simply because they dared to be free, to defend their dignity, […]
December 10, 2025
A shelter for repressed Belarusians and the Belarusian Democratic Community Center opened in Florence
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a visit to Italy, where today, December 9, the opening of a shelter for political refugees from Belarus and their families took place. The shelter is already home to several repressed Belarusians, including a former volunteer of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment fighting in Ukraine. The Belarusian Democratic Community Center in Italy […]
December 10, 2025
Visit to Norway, OSCE Ministerial Council meeting, Grand Continent Summit. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: December 1–7
VISIT TO NORWAY On December 1, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a visit to Norway, where she held a number of meetings: with the Speaker of the Storting, Masud Gharahkhani; with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide; with the Minister of Development, Åsmund Aukrust. She also took part in a public event of the Norwegian […]
December 09, 2025
Release of political prisoners, pressure on the regime, and peace negotiations: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with with Kaja Kallas
During her visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Their conversation focused on the situation in Belarus, international efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, Belarus within the regional security architecture, and possible prospects for future negotiations on Ukraine. They emphasized the […]
December 09, 2025
€30 million for Belarusian programs: EU to support independent media, repressed individuals, and civil society
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is in Brussels. On December 8, she met with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, who informed Ms. Tsikhanouskaya about a €30 million aid package to be allocated to Belarusian programs in 2026. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Commissioner Kos and the European Union for their consistent and principled support for repressed individuals and […]
December 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a high-level European Parliament conference on Belarus in Brussels
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke during the opening of the high-level conference “Building Foundations for Democratic Change” in Brussels. She emphasized that this meeting is not just a discussion about reforms but a foundation for a future democratic country. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya addressed the transitional period and the preparation of new legislation: “The idea […]
December 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the Bonn International Prize for Democracy and the Rule of Law
On December 7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the Bonn International Prize for Democracy and the Rule of Law for her contribution to the protection of democracy, the separation of powers, and the rule of law. The ceremony took place in Bonn (Germany) within the annual program that honors individuals and organizations who courageously defend human rights, […]
December 08, 2025
Rally against the Lukashenka regime’s hybrid attacks took place in Vilnius
On December 7, a protest rally against the regime’s hybrid attacks was held near the Embassy of Belarus in Lithuania. Participants stressed that Lukashenka’s aggressive policy does not reflect the position of the Belarusian people. A symbolic performance took place during the rally; representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office set up a small installation near the […]
December 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Innsbruck: Speeches at the Management Center Innsbruck and the European Media Summit
After taking part in the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Vienna, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Innsbruck, Austria, on a working visit. The visit took place against the backdrop of intensified international discussions about the future of European security, the situation in Belarus, and the role of the media in defending democracy. On the evening of […]
December 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a side event during the OSCE Ministerial Meeting
On the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial Meeting, a side event titled “Preparing a Democratic Future for Belarus” took place. The event was organized by the member countries of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Alliance. Alongside Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, participants included the Political Secretary of State of Finland, Pasi Rajala; the Head of the International Accountability […]
December 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is in Vienna, where she is participating in the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting. She was invited by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and the Foreign Minister of Finland, Elina Valtonen. A session on Belarus was held during the visit, where Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered remarks. Only two countries – Ukraine and Belarus – had dedicated side […]
December 06, 2025
Dzianis Kuchynski met with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Smith
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, is on a visit to the United States. In Washington, he met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Eastern Europe, Christopher Smith: “An excellent discussion with Christopher Smith – our true friend and ally. On behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, I sincerely thanked him for his tireless efforts to secure […]
December 06, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “In Belarus, many people have needs that have remained invisible to the regime for years. People with disabilities do not require special privileges to live fully – they require only fair and accessible conditions: healthcare, education, the ability to move around, work, and participate in public life. What is routine for some of […]
December 06, 2025
Talks at the White House: Release of political prisoners and the future of Belarus
In Washington, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, held talks with the Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump, Andy Baker. Mr. Kuchynski noted the United States’ outstanding diplomatic efforts and expressed hope that the humanitarian releases would continue and all political prisoners would be freed. On behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski conveyed […]
December 06, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Grand Continent Summit
On December 3, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Grand Continent Summit, speaking on the panel “How Democracy Thrives”. The Grand Continent Summit is a closed forum in the Alps that brings together around two hundred experts and politicians. It is organized by the French publication Le Grand Continent under the patronage of French President […]
December 03, 2025
Monthly recap: November 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The book “A Political Prisoner’s Survival Guide” — a collection of advice and illustrations created by people who have been imprisoned in Belarus — was presented in Vilnius. Budźma Belarusami! released a video on the issue of banned books in Belarus. Belarusians in various countries commemorated Raman Bandarenka on the anniversary of his death. The […]
December 02, 2025
Visit to Berlin, United Transitional Cabinet meeting, Women’s Political Leadership Academy in Prague. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: November 24–30
VISIT TO BERLIN On November 26–27, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Berlin. She met with the new President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner, to discuss efforts to secure the release of political prisoners – the parties agreed to continue cooperation between the Bundestag and the democratic forces of Belarus. With the Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya […]
December 02, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Norway: Support for the repressed, media, “For Democratic Belarus” Group in Parliament
On December 1, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a visit to Norway, during which she held a series of meetings with the country’s leadership, members of parliament, and representatives of civil society. The visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between Norway and the democratic forces of Belarus, as well as to coordinate actions in international institutions in the […]
December 02, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a visit to Oslo, where she took part in a public event at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. She delivered a speech, addressing the current situation in Belarus: despite work on the humanitarian track and releases, politically motivated persecution in Belarus continues every single day. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Last year, you helped launch […]
December 02, 2025
Second Women’s Political Leadership Academy took place in Prague
The Second Women’s Political Leadership Academy was held in Prague, bringing together 10 participants, all of them former political prisoners. This initiative provides women who have experienced repression an opportunity to develop their potential and strengthen their leadership skills. The Academy aims to prepare women for more active participation in politics, allowing them to represent […]
November 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the Menschen in Europa Award
On November 27, during her visit to Germany, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was honored with the Menschen in Europa Award. The ceremony took place in Passau as part of the annual Menschen in Europa program, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the defense of human rights and democratic values. Yulia Navalnaya received the […]
November 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the 105th anniversary of the Slutsk Armed Uprising
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks 105 years since the Slutsk insurgents rose up against the idea that Belarus’ future could be decided from the outside. Lacking military advantage, they were nonetheless convinced that Belarus is worth fighting for. The Slutsk Armed Uprising is part of our history, even if it was silenced for decades. But this […]
November 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the renewed “For Democratic Belarus” Group in the German Bundestag
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a visit to Berlin, where she joined the ceremonial meeting of the Parliamentary Group “For Democratic Belarus” on the occasion of its launch. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya addressed the politicians and invited them to consider a new resolution on Belarus that would reflect the current situation and make the country one of the […]
November 28, 2025