New Belarus Transition: Laws and reforms for the future
The democratic forces have presented the comprehensive New Belarus Transition Strategy and drafts of key laws that will form the foundation for transforming the country after the change of power. From the Constitution and judicial reform to a new model of local self-government and a green economy, this is a plan to build a free, […]
August 10, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the Freedom March in Warsaw
The Freedom March took place in Warsaw today to mark the fifth anniversary of the protests in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski joined the march, walking together with Belarusians through the central streets of the Polish capital. At the final stop of the march, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya expressed words of gratitude and pride to Belarusians. […]
August 09, 2025
Five years on the path home
The past five years have been a time of trials and courage for Belarusians. We never stopped after the 2020 protests. We built organizations, united, helped those affected, and fought for the truth. This is a story of solidarity, loss, and unbreakable faith that change will come. The emotional video that opened the New Belarus […]
August 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address at the New Belarus Conference 2025
Dear Belarusians, Participants of the conference, Dear Excellencies, and all international friends, Solidarity and empathy. Courage and discipline. Self-organization and creativity. These are the words I would use to describe 2020. Five years ago, Belarus changed. Once and for all. I wouldn’t say we became different people, but we awakened qualities in ourselves we hadn’t […]
August 08, 2025
Five years of work to empower youth: What has been achieved?
We continue summing up what the democratic forces have done for Belarusians since 2020. Today, we focus on the key achievements in working with young people and for their benefit. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, shares what has been done. Since 2023, we have begun to systematically develop youth policy […]
August 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a Coordination Council hearing
Honorable Speaker Brukhan, Dear delegates of the Coordination Council, Dear Belarusians! First of all, let me thank the organizers. Such hearings of representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet before the Coordination Council show that we know how to work together and that our agreements work. Thanks to Pavel Latushka, Volha Zazulinskaya, Margarita Vorykhava, Pavel Barkouski, […]
August 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the fifth anniversary of the 2020 Belarus protests
Tomorrow marks five years since Belarusians took to the streets to defend their freedom, dignity, and right to elect their country’s leadership. This changed all of us. In an emotional address, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya speaks about: How solidarity transformed into communities; How everyone can help, even through simple actions; Why we have not lost, even if […]
August 08, 2025
5 years of Legal Team’s work: What are the results?
A few days ago, we summed up the achievements of the democratic forces in international advocacy. Today, it’s time to look at the progress in the legal field. The Legal Team of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shares the key results of its work. Over the past five years, we have developed numerous legal decisions […]
August 07, 2025
“Today, Ales Pushkin would have turned 60”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, Ales Pushkin would have turned 60. The artist left behind a living creative legacy and a presence that deeply resonates in our cultural memory. Ales expressed his love for Belarus through his works and actions – bold, sincere, and full of human dignity. The regime tortured Ales to death behind bars but […]
August 06, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulates Karol Nawrocki on assuming the office of President of the Republic of Poland
Dear President Karol Nawrocki, I warmly congratulate you on assuming the office of President of the Republic of Poland! This is a great day for both the Polish people and all who believe in democracy, justice, and freedom. Your victory in a truly free election is an example for the entire region and a source […]
August 06, 2025
Join events on August 9 to mark five years since the 2020 protests in Belarus!
On August 9, 2020, Belarusians took to the streets to defend their choice and their future. For five years now, our diaspora has commemorated this date as a symbol of unity, solidarity, and protest against repression, violence, and dictatorship. To mark the anniversary of the peaceful demonstrations, Belarusians are organizing marches, rallies, gatherings, and cultural […]
August 06, 2025
5 years of international advocacy by the democratic forces of Belarus: What has been achieved?
August 9 marks the fifth anniversary of the mass protests in Belarus. The key outcomes of the past five years will be summed up during the New Belarus Conference in Warsaw. Over the past five years, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, her Office, and the United Transitional Cabinet have established diplomatic ties, advocated for Belarusians, led global solidarity […]
August 06, 2025
Visit to Finland, solidarity rally for Ukraine, preparations for the New Belarus Conference. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 28 – August 3
NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE On August 9–10, Warsaw will host the New Belarus Conference 2025, summarizing five years of the democratic forces’ work. Joint resolutions are expected to be adopted, and new appointments to the United Transitional Cabinet announced. See the program at the link. To register as a participant, use this form. If you’re a […]
August 05, 2025
Monthly recap: July 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The Volunteer Service of the Viasna Human Rights Center presented a guide on peaceful assemblies for Belarusians living abroad. The Free Belarus Center updated and relaunched its support services: Belarusians can request legal, psychological, and accounting assistance. Dissidentby launched a dedicated section on their website with information on individuals involved in the repression of political […]
August 04, 2025
“Overcoming the consequences of Lukashenka’s repressive policies is a reality we will all have to face in the near future”
At times, it might seem that repression in Belarus is easing. Political prisoners are being released, and their number appears to be decreasing. But that’s not the case – a closer look at the context tells a different story. BelPol has analyzed the true scale of repression: Since 2020, repression has affected at least 500,000 […]
August 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to discuss political prisoners in Belarus
On the sidelines of the OSCE conference in Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. They discussed communication with the authorities in Minsk regarding the release of political prisoners, a possible visit by the Commissioner to the region, and United States’ efforts toward humanitarian releases, including that of […]
August 04, 2025
Belarusian issue at the UN Security Council: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon
During her visit to Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon. The meeting took place as the country prepares to chair the UN Security Council in December. Slovenia took Belarus’ place on the Council after receiving 153 votes in the General Assembly, while Belarus received only 38. Ms. […]
August 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Pekka Haavisto
Tsikhanouskaya met with Pekka Haavistom – former Finnish Foreign Minister and presidential candidate who narrowly lost to Alexander Stubb with 49% of the vote. They discussed regional politics, potential scenarios for Belarus and the region, and coordination with the United States administration. Mr. Haavisto shared insights from his 2020 talks with Uladzimir Makei and negotiations […]
August 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with new President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Pere Joan Pons Sampietro
In Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, and the former President, Pia Kauma. President Pons Sampietro invited Ms. Tsikhanouskaya to participate in an OSCE PA session and emphasized that keeping Belarus on the international agenda is a top priority for the Assembly. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya […]
August 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Jussi Halla-aho
During her visit to Finland, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Speaker of the country’s Parliament, Jussi Halla-aho. Mr. Halla-aho opened the meeting in Belarusian, and the conversation partly continued in the Belarusian language. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Mr. Halla-aho for organizing the Helsinki Dialogue Conference, which led to the formalization of the democratic forces’ relations with […]
August 04, 2025
Finland to join the International Humanitarian Fund to support repressed Belarusians
In Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Foreign Minister of Finland, Elina Valtonen, who currently chairs the OSCE. The minister agreed to join the International Humanitarian Fund and allocate €50,000 in aid to victims of repression. In addition to Finland, the fund has already been joined by Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Estonia, Luxembourg, and […]
August 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President of Finland Alexander Stubb
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her working visit to Helsinki. After her speech at the Helsinki+50 Conference, she met with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb. Mr. Stubb repeatedly expressed solidarity with Belarus following the events of 2020, and Finland remains an important ally of the democratic forces in their fight for freedom and change. The parties […]
July 31, 2025
“We keep fighting until all families are reunited. Until everyone can return home”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Finland by joining the Helsinki+50 Conference. The event, marking the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Accords, brought together international leaders and politicians, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Before her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed condolences […]
July 31, 2025
“The regime sees nothing wrong in keeping people in the dark”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s comment on the drone crash in Minsk
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Last night, another Russian drone was shot down in Minsk. It crashed near a kindergarten and lay there for half an hour before the police arrived. Fortunately, there were no casualties this time. But just this past week, 59 drones entered Belarusian airspace, and the fact that no one was hurt is nothing […]
July 29, 2025
“The war unleashed by imperialist Russia must be stopped”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a solidarity rally for Ukraine in Vilnius
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the 148th weekly rally in support of Ukraine. She addressed the participants, expressing unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and calling for unity and joint resistance against the aggressor. On resistance and the horrors of war “Every day and every night brings a new barbaric attack on civilians and civilian infrastructure. More victims. […]
July 29, 2025
Appeal to President Zelenskyy, solidarity with Ukraine. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 21–27
NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE The New Belarus Conference 2025 will take place in Warsaw on August 9–10, marking the anniversary of the mass protests of 2020. The event will feature a review of five years of the democratic forces’ efforts, joint resolutions, new campaigns, and United Transitional Cabinet appointments. See the conference program at the link. […]
July 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the anniversary of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “July 27, 1990, was the day Belarusians declared: We have the right to our own state. Thirty-five years have passed since the adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty, which reflected our people’s intention and their will to live by their own rules. Today, when the country is ruled by a pro-Russian regime and […]
July 27, 2025
Exhibition on political prisoners in Belarus opened in Prague
On July 24, an exhibition dedicated to political prisoners from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine opened in Prague. It was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Czech NGOs People In Need, Prague Civil Society Centre, and Gulag.cz. The exhibition tells the stories of real people – Nariman, […]
July 25, 2025
“We must not allow one person’s unacceptable actions to destroy BYSOL’s years of work”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The recent news has caused outrage and disappointment, and I want to express my support for all women affected by harassment. Thank you for finding the strength to speak openly about such important and painful issues. Inappropriate and shameful behavior cannot be justified or silenced. This is a broader societal problem that affects […]
July 24, 2025