Responses to sentences. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the 15-year prison sentence delivered to her in a trial “in absentia” on March 6. Kristina Rikhter, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya's advisor on legal issues, added: “This will be the ultimate basis for holding judges and prosecutors accountable for crimes against humanity”.
Visit to the UK. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited London, where she met with the Foreign Secretary, Minister for Europe, former Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lord Speaker, and leaders of the Labour Party. During her visit, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the University of Cambridge, attended hearings of the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, addressed the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and the diplomatic corps. She also visited the Belarusian church and library in London, and met with the local Belarusian diaspora.
Day of Freedom / International Solidarity Day. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on Belarusians to mark the Day of Freedom with solidarity rallies around the world, and announced the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus on March 25.
Education for Belarusians. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's education team, led by Tatiana Shchyttsova, released a new issue of the Asveta digest, covering current news and international opportunities for Belarusian students and researchers. All issues of the digest can be found on the official Asveta website: www.asvetaby.org.
Solidarity with political prisoners. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya explained how to support political prisoners and their families.
Briefing for Western ambassadors. On March 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a briefing in Vilnius for ambassadors from European Union countries, the US, Canada, the IK, and Norway (a total of more than 25 countries). She called for supporting political prisoners, issuing visas, expanding the sanctions list to include judges and prosecutors, and joining in the International Day of Solidarity.
Media. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was interviewed by CNBC (USA, International), The Guardian (UK), De Morgen (Belgium), Express (UK), The Sun (UK), AP News (International), and Sky News (UK).
Expert discussion. On March 16, the Research Center of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Oxford Belarus Observatory will hold an expert webinar on Belarus’ anti-authoritarian movement and women's rights: female activism in times of terror and war. It will feature Elena Gapova, Anastasia Kostyugova, Alena Aharelyshava, and Veranika Laputska. Follow the link to register and join the webinar.
