RESPONSE TO LUKASHENKA'S DECREE. On September 5, Lukashenka was reported to have issued a decree denying Belarusians consular assistance abroad and more. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on this decision: “We are consulting with the countries that host the highest number of Belarusians to solve the issues at the legislative and executive levels. We are preparing to start issuing the new Belarusian passports and working to increase their recognition. This requires a lot of time and effort, and we will need the help of all Belarusians living abroad. Dear Belarusians, even if your passport has expired, it is not worth returning to your homeland if you are at risk of persecution. No document in the world is worth your freedom.”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Kristina Rikhter, also commented on Decree No. 278: “Lukashenka's new decree not only prevents Belarusians from renewing their passports at embassies and consulates but also makes it impossible for them to dispose of their property in Belarus while abroad. Everyone who owns real estate and vehicles in Belarus will have to get “permission” from the regime to dispose of it. It will only be possible from within the country. Freedom of disposition is one of the basic and inviolable human rights. No state can impose unreasonable restrictions on its exercise”.
BELARUS-LITHUANIA. On September 7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Lithuania, Arnoldas Abramavičius, to discuss the current issues faced by Belarusians in Lithuania regarding the legalization of stay. As a result of the meeting, the Lithuanian side confirmed that they will continue to issue residence documents to Belarusians with expired passports. Ms.Tsikhanouskaya proposed extending the validity of humanitarian residence permits to three years and extending the validity of the foreigner’s passport.
DAY OF MILITARY GLORY. On September 8, the Day of Military Glory, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “Today we celebrate the Day of Military Glory. More than 500 years ago, in the Battle of Orsha, the army of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania under the command of Astrozhski defeated the Moscow army and prevented it from advancing on Belarusian lands. This was a victory that Belarusian, Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian peoples achieved together. I am honored to see that Belarusians respect their true history, our heroes, and celebrate holidays that we are proud of. And the Day of Military Glory is one of those. I congratulate you on it. Our greatest victory is ahead of us”.
SOLIDARITY WITH POLITICAL PRISONERS. On September 4, Maksim Znak's birthday, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke on the conditions of incarceration created for political prisoners: “Maksim is not allowed to see his loved ones, write to them or receive letters, and hear news. Political prisoners in Belarus have to live every day in an environment that seeks to destroy their human qualities, but they bravely remain true to themselves. And they are the national pride of Belarus”.
COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONTACT GROUP. It has been a year since the Council of Europe established its Contact Group on Relations with Belarus. The group was intended to assist the Council of Europe in developing positions on Belarus, coordinate and implement projects in various fields, and help prepare reform projects for future Belarus. Systematic cooperation with the Council of Europe has been an important step towards Belarus' European integration. Belarusian democratic forces and civil society have established solid contacts with the Council of Europe, enabling them to keep Belarus on the agenda. Read more about the results of the first year of work of the Contact Group at the link.
BRIEFING FOR AMBASSADORS. On September 7, at the Office in Vilnius, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a briefing for ambassadors and special envoys from Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Ireland, Finland, the USA, and Canada. The briefing focused on the situation with political prisoners, the possible border closure, and the UN General Assembly agenda. The diplomats and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also talked about Lukashenka's recent decree on the suspension of consular services to Belarusians abroad and the democratic forces' work on the new Belarusian passport.
OFFICE TEAM. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya appointed Aliaksandr Milinkevich as her External Advisor on Issues of Belarus’ European Choice. In his position, Mr. Milinkevich will be helping establish connections between democratic Belarus and Europe to strengthen the integration of Belarusian culture into European culture to which it inherently belongs.
YOUTH POLICY. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, held a meeting with the National Youth Councils of Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Moldova, and Denmark within the framework of an Eastern Partnership cooperation program. At the meeting, they discussed further cooperation, as well as ways of supporting and developing the Belarusian youth sector. They have planned a number of events for Belarusian youth organizations for the next two years, including educational events and exchanges, forums, and conferences.
BNR RADA. On September 10, the XXXI Session of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic took place in Prague, where Ivonka Survila was re-elected as its President for the next 6 years. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Ivonka Survila: “Warm congratulations to you, dear Ms. Survila! Your work for the benefit of our country and leadership in the BNR Rada is a great inspiration to all Belarusians and me personally. I am grateful for our friendship and cooperation”.
3RD BELARUSIAN BUSINESS FORUM. On September 20, the 3rd Belarusian Business Forum will take place in Warsaw. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Economic Reforms and Vice-President of the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA), Aleś Alaсhnovič, invited Belarusians to participate. The forum’s program and list of speakers are available at the website: https://abbabusinessforum.com/.
CONVERSATIONS WITH BELARUSIANS. Every week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya holds Zoom calls with Belarusians to discuss issues faced by people in different towns and cities in Belarus and abroad. On Friday, September 8, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Valery Kavaleuski, joined Ms. Tsikhanouskaya to help Belarusians who registered for the calls.
MEDIA. Sviatlana Tikhanouskaya gave interviews to The Guardian (International), Bloomberg (International), AP (International), The Hill (USA), Zerkalo (Belarus), BBC News (Russian Service), Kommersant (Russia), and BelSAT (Belarus).
