NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE. On August 6, more than 200 Belarusians gathered in Warsaw for the New Belarus 2023 Conference. Among the participants were the representatives of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, Cyber Partisans, People's Embassies, political parties, foundations, and initiatives. The conference began with a moment of silence for the Belarusians who died in Ukraine and Belarus fighting for freedom. Then, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered her opening remarks, after which Ivonka Survila, the President of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, addressed the participants. Panel discussions were held on the further strategy of the democratic forces, geopolitical choice, and the future of the New Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya concluded the Conference by summarizing its results. The event was live-streamed.
Prior to the conference, the democratic forces held a meeting and issued four declarations: Political Declaration by the Democratic Forces of Belarus; Declaration of Future Membership of Belarus in the European Union; Declaration on Solidarity with the People of Ukraine; and a statement defying the 2024 elections.
NEW BELARUS PASSPORT. On August 6, at the New Belarus 2023 Conference, the United Transitional Cabinet Representative for Foreign Affairs, Valery Kavaleuski, presented a new passport for Belarusians. He demonstrated its cover, internal design, and images, as well as protective elements against forgery. The Cabinet has launched a feedback form on the passport for Belarusians.
COORDINATION COUNCIL HEARINGS. On August 2-5, the United Transitional Cabinet held hearings before the Coordination Council. Its representatives delivered reports on the results of their work and answered questions from Belarusians. After each hearing, the Council voted on whether the representatives should continue or suspend their activities.
MEETING OF POLITICAL LEADERS. On August 5, Belarus’ political leaders held a roundtable discussion in Warsaw. More than 50 politicians and activists took part in the meeting, including representatives from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, Coordination Council, National Anti-Crisis Management, political parties, Cyberpartisans, the BPF Party, Viktar Babaryka's HQ, “Nasha Partyia”, Belarusian Christian Democracy, United Civic Party, Belarusian Social Democratic Party, BSDP (People's Assembly), Za Svabodu Movement, Rabochy Rukh, Rada Youth Council, ByPOL, BelPOL, People's Embassies, and other organizations and initiatives. The results of the meeting were presented at the New Belarus 2023 Conference.
BELARUS-LITHUANIA. On August 4, the Lithuanian authorities announced that 910 Belarusians have been recognized as individuals who pose a threat to the country's national security. Kristina Rikhter, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor on Legal Affairs, commented: “Implications can be different, including a demand to leave the Republic of Lithuania. This does not necessarily mean a person must return to Belarus. They can move to any other country. The only recommendation that can be given in this situation is to seek legal assistance from Lithuanian lawyers and appeal the decision. On our part, we will raise this issue within the working group at the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry”.
BELARUS-UKRAINE. On August 1, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Senior Advisor Franak Viacorka, and Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Pavel Latushka visited Kyiv. They participated in a four-hour meeting with the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, which Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also joined online.
MURAL IN WARSAW. On August 5, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya inaugurated the mural “In Honor of Invincible Belarusians” in the courtyard of the Belarusian House in Warsaw. The mural was painted by Belarusian artists as a sign of solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus.
MEMORY OF HEROES. On July 31, five Belarusian volunteer fighters were killed in Ukraine. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed her condolences: “In these moments, no words can comfort their loved ones and friends. The death of a loved one is always a huge pain. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and comrades of the deceased. May you find the strength to endure this difficult loss”.
BELARUS-USA. On August 3, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the US Ambassador to Lithuania Robert S. Gilchrist in her Office. The meeting took place on the occasion of the end of his diplomatic service in Lithuania. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the Ambassador personally, as well as the USA for supporting Belarus’ democratic forces in the international arena. The parties discussed further cooperation and assistance from the United States. The American diplomat assured Ms. Tsikhanouskaya of the US’ continued support for the Belarusian democratic movement.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BELARUSIANS. The Office’s education team released a new issue of the Asveta digest, covering international opportunities for Belarusian students and researchers.
INFLATION IN BELARUS. As the school year is about to start on September 1, the Office released a comparison of the cost of school supplies. Since 2020, the prices have risen by 30%.
CONVERSATIONS WITH BELARUSIANS. On Friday, August 4, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held Zoom calls with Belarusians. Such calls are held weekly to discuss issues faced by people in different towns and cities in Belarus and abroad.
MEDIA. On August 1, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined Mark Feygin's YouTube stream with Ukrainian politician Oleksii Arestovich to discuss the relations between Kyiv and Minsk and the implications of nuclear weapons placement in Belarus. They also talked about the Wagner PMC, the aggravating situation at the Belarus–Poland border, and threats to the sovereignty of Belarus.
This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Zerkalo (Belarus), Dozhd (Russia, in exile), Tovima (Greece), Newsweek.Pl (Poland), Polsat (Poland), TVN24 (Poland), and DW (Germany).
