DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH BELARUS. On November 12, the international community marked the Day of Solidarity with Belarus declared by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. It was exactly three years ago that Raman Bandarenka was killed, which is why the Day of Solidarity was dedicated to Raman and other people who sacrificed their lives for a free Belarus.
Belarusians held solidarity rallies in Scotland, Poland, Italy, Germany, the US, Lithuania, the UK, Belgium, Sweden, and Cyprus. Rallies also took place in Belarus, organized by the “Knitted Berets” group of pensioners and residents of Vawkavysk. Many international politicians, diplomats, ambassadors, and heads of governments issued statements in support of our country. To learn more about the Day of Solidarity, follow the link.
VIKTAR BABARYKA’S BIRTHDAY. On November 9, Viktar Babaryka’s birthday, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed support for him and wished him a happy 60th birthday. “This is the fourth birthday he has spent behind bars. Like thousands of Belarusians, he is being held in inhumane conditions. His lawyer is no longer allowed to see him, he is not allowed to meet with relatives and does not receive letters and medications”, noted Ms. Tsikhanouskaya, emphasizing her belief that Mr. Babaryka has not given up hope.
BELARUS-UKRAINE. At the end of last week, the second Astrozhski Belarus-Ukraine Forum took place in Lviv. Representatives from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, and political experts participated from the Belarusian side. As a result, an agreement was reached on hearings on Belarus, which will take place at the inter-committee session of the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs and Security Committees. In addition, preparations are underway to launch joint projects on legal expertise and appoint a Special Representative for Belarus in the Verkhovna Rada.
BELARUS-SWEDEN. On November 6, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström, in her office in Vilnius. Tobias Billström confirmed that Sweden has appointed a Special Envoy for Relations with Democratic Belarus. During the meeting, Mr. Billström and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed foreigners passports for Belarusians and a rehabilitation program for political prisoners.
BELARUS-CZECHIA. On Monday, November 6, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the new Czech Ambassador to Lithuania, Aleš Opata, in her office. During the conversation, the parties discussed issues related to the legalization of stay for Belarusians in the Czech Republic, and the issuance of foreigners passports. Such a passport has already been obtained by a young Belarusian, Varia, who helps Belarusian volunteer fighters in Ukraine. On November 10, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, and called on Czechia to lift visa restrictions against Belarusians.
BELARUS-GERMANY. On November 7-8, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a working visit to Germany. In Berlin, she met with the German Minister of State for Europe, the Chancellor’s Foreign and Security Policy Advisor, a YouTube representative, and the Libereco leadership. The Belarusian leader spoke at the meeting of the Alliance of Groups “For a Democratic Belarus” and at the Berlin Conference of Young Leaders and addressed the Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also took part in a rally and addressed the Belarusian diaspora in Berlin. The highlight of the visit was the Bundestag’s resolution on Belarus, emphasizing that “a free and democratic Belarus will be welcomed into the family of European states”.
On November 11 in Malaga, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, whom she urged to support an international investigation into Lukashenka’s crimes.
BELARUS-POLAND. On November 7, the working group on migration issues at the Polish Ministry of the Interior held another meeting. It focused on the issue of legalizing the stay of children born to Belarusian citizens in Poland. Representatives of the Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the issue is a priority for them. The parties also discussed the Polish travel document, which can replace an expired Belarusian passport when traveling abroad. Read more about the meeting here.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also congratulated Poland on its Independence Day on November 11. She thanked the Polish people for supporting Belarusians in their struggle for freedom and Polish politicians for their consistency and principled stance vis-a-vis Belarus.
BELARUS-ESTONIA. On November 10, the first Belarus-Estonia Conference began in Tallinn, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia in partnership with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the opening of the conference and welcomed the participants. The event was attended by representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, Belarusian activists, and media, as well as members of the Estonian government, experts, and the diplomatic corps. The conference discussed Estonian-Belarusian relations, the strategy vis-a-vis Belarus, ways to support the repressed and political prisoners, and methods to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable.
BELARUS-IRELAND. On November 9, the Irish Minister of State for European Affairs, Peter Burke, visited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius. The parties discussed support for rehabilitation programs for political prisoners, holding the Lukashenka regime accountable in international courts, and the legalization of stay for Belarusians in Ireland.
EVENTS IN VILNIUS. On November 9, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Future of Democracy Forum and the Media Freedom and Belarus Seminar in Vilnius. She emphasized: “The victory of Belarusians over the dictatorial regime of Lukashenka is inevitable. The victory of Ukraine over Russian revanchism is a matter of time and our solidarity. The victory of democracy over tyranny is our common task and duty”.
SPEECH AT THE PES CONGRESS. On November 11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the Congress of the Party of European Socialists in Malaga, where she addressed heads of state and government, political leaders, and activists from all across Europe. During her speech, she emphasized, “Our goal is to build a country where social rights are guaranteed, not just declared. Our goal is to return Belarus to democracy”.
EUROPEAN AWARD. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor, Marharyta Vorykhava, received the Young Woman of Europe Award 2023, presented annually to women for promoting European values. Ms. Vorykhava dedicated this award to all young leaders in Belarus.
MEDIA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to SVT (Sweden), Radio Svaboda (Belarus), RFI (France), Belsat (1, 2, 3) (Belarus), Delfi (Lithuania), and Pozirk (Belarus).
