LITHUANIAN SEIMAS DID NOT SUPPORT NEW RESTRICTIONS AGAINST BELARUSIANS
The Seimas of Lithuania did not support new restrictions against Belarusians holding residence permits in Lithuania. The proposals included restrictions on travel to Belarus and allowed the migration authority to revoke the residence permits of Belarusians who frequently cross the border. Over the past few weeks, the democratic forces have held dozens of consultations, meetings, and discussions to convince Lithuanian politicians not to introduce new restrictions. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke against the proposed restrictions while also calling on Belarusians with humanitarian visas to refrain from traveling to Belarus. The Belarusian leader warned that the proposed restrictions would primarily hit pro-democracy Belarusians and limit contacts between those who left Belarus and those who stayed. After the bill was not supported, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the members of the Lithuanian Seimas.
CONFERENCE ON SITUATION WITH BELARUSIAN COMMUNITY IN LITHUANIA
Representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office took part in a non-public conference involving Lithuanian authorities, experts, the Belarusian diaspora, and representatives of democratic forces. They discussed the problems faced by the Belarusian community in Lithuania and ways to improve Belarusian–Lithuanian relations. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also met with influencers, journalists, and politicians living in Lithuania.
ANNIVERSARY OF CHORNOBYL TRAGEDY
April 26 marked the 38th anniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “Today marks the 38th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, which affected almost every Belarusian family. It was an example of the irresponsibility and impunity of the authorities, for which people had to pay the highest price. Although nearly 40 years have passed since the tragedy, unfortunately, it wouldn’t be true if we said there is no risk of its repetition”.
Rallies and events dedicated to the anniversary of the tragedy were held in many cities worldwide. In memory of the victims of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office initiated the laying of flowers at the Chornobyl Mother Monument in Vilnius. Alongside the Belarusian leader, the ceremony was attended by the Ambassador at Large for Belarus of Lithuania, ambassadors from Norway, Canada, Spain, Ireland, and Estonia, as well as representatives of the embassies of Poland, the USA, Israel, and Ukraine. Belarusian activists and members of civil society organizations were also present at the event. On the eve of the anniversary, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team released a guide about Belarusian initiatives dealing with environment and energy security.
CONFERENCE OF SPEAKERS OF EU PARLIAMENTS
On April 22-23, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was in Mallorca on a working visit, where she took part in the Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments. The Belarusian leader made a speech, urging the participants to support the European perspective for Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also met with several speakers of the European parliaments to discuss support for civil society, the media, and democratic forces. She urged the politicians to continue the pressure on the regime and help the repressed Belarusians.
MEETING OF UNITED TRANSITIONAL CABINET
The United Transitional Cabinet held a meeting on April 23 with the participation of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The participants discussed the outcomes of international advocacy, the political situation in Belarus, as well as the Coordination Council election scheduled for May 25. Representatives of a number of public organizations, political bodies, and bloggers will run in the election.
MARYIA KALESNIKAVA’S BIRTHDAY
On April 24, Maryia Kalesnikava spent her birthday behind bars for the fourth year in a row. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made a statement on Maryia’s birthday: “April 24 is Maryia Kalesnikava’s birthday. The birthday of our Masha, whose radiant smile has become a source of support for thousands of Belarusians. If the regime is ‘not at war against women’, then how come it is the fourth year already that Masha spends this day behind bars? What is it if not a war?”
CONVERSATIONS WITH BELARUSIANS
On April 25, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, held personal conversations with Belarusians. During the conversation, the participants asked the professor about the current state of Belarusian science and talked about the obstacles in education that they encountered.
RESPONSE TO REGIME’S ASSEMBLY
On April 24-25, the so-called All-Belarusian People’s Assembly took place in Minsk to approve the guidelines for Belarus’s domestic and foreign policies. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, commented on the results of the assembly: ”Can you remember a decision by the All-Belarusian Assembly that made you happier and richer – not Lukashenka, Kachanava, or Karpiankou? Voters can no longer effectively elect anyone or be elected. So this assembly cannot really redistribute authority or power”.
On the eve of the assembly, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team released a guide explaining what the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly is and why the regime needs it.
MEETING WITH YOUTH LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES
On April 27, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with leaders of youth political organizations in her Office in Vilnius. The meeting was also attended by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, and Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka. The participants discussed the issue of timely payment of scholarships and raising their amounts, as well as opportunities for cooperation between the youth organizations and European political parties. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also met with representatives of Belarusian political parties.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Zerkalo (Belarus), LRT (Lithuania), Nasha Niva (Belarus), and Il Sole 24 Ore (Italy).
