In Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Foreign Minister of Finland, Elina Valtonen, who currently chairs the OSCE. The minister agreed to join the International Humanitarian Fund and allocate €50,000 in aid to victims of repression. In addition to Finland, the fund has already been joined by Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Estonia, Luxembourg, and Spain. The fund’s resources are directed entirely toward programs for rehabilitation, medical treatment, and relocation of former political prisoners and their families, rather than administrative costs. Belarusian human rights organizations oversee the fund’s operations.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also discussed initiatives within the OSCE framework: Belarus’ participation in ministerial meetings, the implementation of the Moscow and Vienna Mechanisms, and involvement in the OSCE Human Dimension events. She emphasized the importance of fulfilling OSCE recommendations – including the release and rehabilitation of political prisoners, accountability for the perpetrators, electoral reform, and new elections under international observation. “Adhering to OSCE principles and implementing systemic reforms are essential to bringing Belarus out of isolation and ending the political crisis”, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stated. She also noted that the Lukashenka regime systematically violates OSCE principles and ignores its recommendations.
The meeting also addressed the situation of Belarusians in Finland who face challenges applying for residence permits – especially those with expired passports. Both parties agreed to seek a legal solution that would allow Belarusians to obtain legal documents without having to return to Belarus, which would expose them to repression.
They also discussed the new EU sanctions package for human rights violations and support for Belarusian civil society and media through a new international fund launched by Finland in honor of the OSCE’s 50th anniversary. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Finland for its principled stance and determination in defending its borders.
She also urged Finland to join Lithuania’s initiative at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice regarding the forced deportation of Belarusian citizens and the instrumentalization of irregular migration.
“The minister is well-informed about the situation and supports Belarusians in their fight for democracy and a European future. Finland is ready to become more actively involved in supporting our media, human rights defenders, and victims of repression. And it consistently speaks up for Belarus on the international stage. Now, as Finland chairs the OSCE, this is an additional opportunity for us to draw attention to Belarus and the issue of political prisoners”.
