MEETING WITH NATO OFFICIALS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met for the first time with the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. Additionally, within the framework of the North Atlantic Council, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a briefing for the permanent representatives of all NATO member countries. In total, the discussions lasted more than 4 hours. The dialogue on the political agenda between the democratic forces of Belarus and NATO will continue.
WORLD WAR II END ANNIVERSARY
May 9 marked the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “This day reminds us of the consequences of impunity and unlimited power. Of what happens when tyrants are willing to sacrifice people’s lives in the name of ideology and their own ambitions”.
VISIT TO KAUNAS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kaunas for the first time. She delivered an open lecture at Vytautas Magnus University. The lecture focused on the role of democratic Belarus in Eastern Europe’s security. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya presented three scenarios of possible developments in the region. After the lecture, a two-hour discussion took place, during which the leader answered the students’ questions. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also honored the memory of Klaudziy Duzh-Dusheuski, a prominent Belarusian figure known as the author of the national white-red-white flag, who is buried in Kaunas.
CONGRESS ON POLITICAL PRISONERS
On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic, in partnership with Belarusian human rights defenders, activists, and organizations of democratic forces, will hold the Congress on Belarus Political Prisoners. The event will be held on May 23-25 in Prague.
RELEASE OF BELARUSIAN DETAINED IN ARMENIA
In early 2024, Yaroslav Novikau was detained while crossing the border between Georgia and Armenia. This week, the Armenian side announced that Yaraslau has been granted refugee status and is no longer subject to extradition. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I hope this case will set a positive precedent and help us further address security issues faced by Belarusians”.
COUNTERING INDOCTRINATION THROUGH EDUCATION
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, was interviewed by Novy Chas. In the interview, she talked about the regime’s attempts to cultivate loyalty and ideological unity among the youth by integrating Russian narratives and military elements into the educational process. Ms. Shchyttsova expressed cautious optimism regarding countering this indoctrination and emphasized the importance of maintaining independent thinking among young people.
HELP FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS
Former political prisoner Asya Bulybenka joined the team of the Freedom Postcards initiative, which is run by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The initiative tells the stories of political prisoners in Belarus and fundraises to help them.
CONVERSATIONS WITH BELARUSIANS
On May 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her Advisor on Legal Affairs, Kristina Rikhter, held personal conversations with Belarusians to discuss the issues they face both in Belarus and abroad.
DEMOCRATIC BELARUS AND EUROPE’S SECURITY
After the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the regime’s rhetoric has become more aggressive, including towards neighboring countries. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released an article explaining why supporting democratic Belarus is not just a humanitarian but also a strategic necessity for Europe’s security.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Aftenposten (Norway), Wirtualna Polska (Poland), and TVN (Poland). The first episode of the show “Bez Retushi” was released, launched by Malanka Media and KANAPLEV+LEIDIK.
