The International High-Level Conference on Belarus and a series of expert discussions will take place in Vienna on November 20-23, 2021. As the political and human rights crisis in Belarus is escalating, it is important to explore every possible avenue to stop the violence, free political prisoners, and launch an inclusive domestic political dialogue leading the way to a free and fair election.
Austrian Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg and the Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Michael Linhart will host the International High-Level Conference on Belarus on November 22, 2021. The conference is intended as a contribution to this goal and brings together political stakeholders, representatives of civil society, states, international organizations, and experts. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, accompanied by representatives of the united democratic forces of Belarus, will join the conference and will present her view on the situation. Participation of ministers from numerous EU countries is also intended.
Keeping in mind the main topic of the conference, the discussion will be strengthened by a series of expert events “Focus on Belarus” that will take place between 20 and 23 November in Vienna, Austria. They will include various thematic panels and will further explore the ways how to solve the crisis in Belarus.
Additionally, several cultural events with the participation of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Belarusian diaspora.
NOVEMBER 20
- The Way to a Democratic Constitution of Belarus
Throughout the past year, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team has been working on the project of the new Constitution. The team works in cooperation not only with civil society and experts in Belarus, but also with the international expert community. In particular, with the support of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, 16 discussions on the project of the New Constitution were organized and held. More than 30 leading European experts in the field of constitutional law have participated. On November 20, Anatoli Liabedzka, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative for the Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, and Leu Marholin, coordinator of the Working Group on the New Constitution of Belarus, will hold a discussion that summarizes their work.
Time: 10:30 — 12:00
Venue: The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs
NOVEMBER 21
- Mural painting
Guest: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of democratic Belarus
Time: 15.00 — 16.00
Address: Ruth-Maier-Park, Vienna
Event details are here
- Special Screening: COURAGE
Guest: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of democratic Belarus, and Aliaksei Paluyan, the director of Courage
Time: 19:30
Venue: Stadtkino Wien
NOVEMBER 22
- International Conference on Belarus
The International High-Level Conference is organized by the Austrian Federal Chancellery and Austrian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Time: 10.00 — 18.00
- Reinforcing the Role of Civil Society as a Watchdog of Democratic Principles in Belarus
Belarus has undergone profound political changes in the past year. More than a year ago, the streets of Belarus were teaming with people protesting the stolen presidential election and asserting their voices for freedom. To stifle these voices, the government unleashed a war on civil society. The Belarusian government has arrested thousands of demonstrators and continues with its campaign of repression against civil society, non-governmental organizations, and the independent media. With Belarus at a democratic crossroads, the international community needs to stand in solidarity with the Belarusian people, counter the government’s attempts to eviscerate civil society, and provide unwavering, long-term support to Belarusian groups and activists.
These are some of the issues that will be addressed:
- How can civil society organizations operate in the current mode?
- What method should be used for clear formulation of the policy priorities for the transition period in the country and future reform agenda?
- How to broaden the networks and advocacy channels available to Belarusian democratic civil society in Western democratic countries?
- How to enhance skills of Belarusian analysts to deliver impactful analysis and advocate for the implementation of their recommendations?
- What role can Western institutions play in helping Belarusian civil society to ensure a positive democratic change?
Partners: Globsec and Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe
Time: 14.00 — 15.30
Venue: Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe
- The OSCE role in the resolution of the Belarusian crisis
This panel will assess the role OSCE has played in dealing with Lukashenka’s regime on a number of issues: rigged elections, humanitarian crisis, gross human rights abuses, regional security implications after the hijacking of the Ryanair flight, and the massive human trafficking scheme leading to the crisis on the border with EU neighbors, abandoned rule of law and other problems. The panel will explore how the 72 recommendations for Belarus and 16 recommendations for the international community in the Moscow Mechanism report have been implemented at this point, one year after the presentation.
Time: 18.30
NOVEMBER 23
- What is the Price of Women’s Political Participation in the Revolution?
During these series of discussions, experts will discuss the strategy, challenges and solutions of how to provide support to Belarusian women on the ground and those abroad, as well as how to support women and feminist civil society organizations that were dissolved by the Belarusian regime and had to relocate.
Time: 10:00 – 16:00
- Future of Belarus in Europe
What is the place of Belarus on the Western political agenda? How does the current situation impinge on future cooperation? Over the past year, Belarus has made its mark on Europeans' mental map as a country with a vibrant civil society and the potential for democratic change. Alexander Lukashenka’s authoritarian regime, in power for the last 27 years, has thwarted every attempt at change. He lost the presidential election in August 2020 and is holding society hostage domestically. He has also begun to threaten the EU. Unprecedented pressure is being put on the European block through the weaponization of refugees and migrants from MENA countries, who are brought on purpose to the borders of the EU by the regime. The European Union is seeking ways to respond to this most serious of challenges. That response entails weighing risks and opportunities for the future of the continent. What will the future hold for Belarus in Europe?
Time: 12:00 – 13:30
Venue: The Institute for Human Sciences (IWM)
The link for transmission is here
Keynote Speaker: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of democratic Belarus
Welcome note: Ivan Vejvoda
Speakers: Judy Dempsey, Cathrin Kahlweit, Christian Ultsch, Franak Viacorka
Moderator: Wojciech Przybylski
- Protecting press freedom in Belarus
Belarus is regarded as the most dangerous country for media workers in Europe. Since the last presidential campaign, more than 550 journalists have been detained, dozens are behind bars. With major media outlets being blocked, the situation remains catastrophic. This panel will be dedicated to the issue of press freedom in Belarus.
Time: 16:30 – 18:00
Venue: Diplomatic Academy of Vienna
Partners: IPI and Article 19
Speakers:
Miklos Haraszti, former OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Stas Ivashkevich, Belarusian investigative journalist
Joanna Szymanska, Article 19
Hanna Liubakova, Belarusian journalist, non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council
