Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Warsaw today by meeting with the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk. This meeting holds particular significance as Poland assumed the Presidency of the Council of Europe on January 1, opening new opportunities for cooperation between Poland’s government and Belarus’ democratic forces. During the hour-long meeting, the leaders […]
January 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on Viktar Babaryka’s images from prison
“Seeing Viktar Babaryka, like Maryia Kalesnikava a few months ago, after so many months of incommunicado detention, is an incredible relief. Yet it is horrifying to realize the regime is using people who should never have been imprisoned as tools for manipulation. Over the past two years, we have had to learn the dreadful word […]
January 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Lithuanian Seimas Speaker Saulius Skvernelis
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the new Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, Saulius Skvernelis, in Vilnius. The parties discussed ways to secure the release of political prisoners, support Belarusians in Lithuania, respond to the sham election in Belarus, address regional and national security threats, and develop Belarusian-Lithuanian relations. Here is a summary of the […]
January 08, 2025
Monthly recap: December 2024. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
A series of notable events marked December 2024. Below are the key updates from the Belarusian democratic community. The Belarusian Association of Journalists released a guide on establishing effective communication between NGOs and media. The Belarusian History Portal was launched to promote Belarusian history. Legal Initiative launched a form to allow Belarusians persecuted on political […]
January 07, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with PACE rapporteurs on Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the PACE General Rapporteur for a Democratic Belarus, Ryszard Petru, and the General Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and whistleblowers, Emanuelis Zingeris. They discussed plans and priorities for cooperation in 2025. Key issues discussed during the meeting included: A new PACE resolution on Belarus during the […]
January 07, 2025
New Year’s address, holiday greetings for political prisoners’ children, response to sham election. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 30 – January 5
NEW YEAR’S ADDRESS Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered her New Year’s message to Belarusians, broadcasted on all official platforms. Despite the authorities blocking access to YouTube in Belarus for the second year in a row, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s address surpassed Lukashenka’s in viewership. Read the text version of the address. HOLIDAY GREETINGS FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS’ CHILDREN Representatives of […]
January 06, 2025
New Year’s greetings of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya 2025
Read the text version of the speech here.
December 31, 2024
New Year’s Greetings by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya 2025. Text version
My dear friends! In my every address to you, I try to cover many important things, share our achievements, and talk about our plans for the future. But this time, I want to focus on something we all hold dear and can all relate to – family. New Year’s has usually been a family holiday for […]
December 31, 2024
Meeting with Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Christmas address, visit to Berlin. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 23-29
MEETING WITH LITHUANIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER On December 27, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Lithuania’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys. They discussed Belarusian-Lithuanian cooperation, support for the democratic forces and independent media, pressure on the Lukashenka regime, and the referral of its crimes to the International Criminal Court. CHRISTMAS Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya extended greetings to Belarusians […]
December 30, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Lithuania’s new Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, who assumed office two weeks ago. The parties discussed: Belarusian-Lithuanian events to strengthen ties between Belarusians and Lithuanians; Cooperation between the government of Lithuania and the democratic forces of Belarus; Future meetings with the Prime Minister and representatives of the […]
December 27, 2024
Tatiana Shchyttsova in Berlin: Supporting Belarusian science through international cooperation
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, held a working visit to Berlin, participating in events dedicated to supporting Belarusian researchers. The professor spoke at a panel discussion titled “Academic Freedom in Belarus: State Repression and Its Consequences at Home and Abroad”, organized in collaboration with the German Association for East European Studies. […]
December 26, 2024
2025 sham election, Free Belarusians Congress, youth platform launch. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 16-22
2025 SHAM ELECTION The democratic forces continue preparations for the so-called ‘election’ in 2025. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, addressed Belarusians regarding the campaign this week: “Let’s be honest – this is not a real election. The alternative candidates are members of Lukashenka’s fan club, conditions for observation and voting are nonexistent, and civil […]
December 24, 2024
Aleś Alachnovič: “Next year will mark the end for about 10 percent of businesses in Belarus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Economic Reforms, Aleś Alachnovič, discussed the economic policies of the Lukashenka regime, their consequences for the country, and potential changes after the 2025 sham election in an interview with Nasha Niva. Below are the key takeaways from the interview. What will change in Lukashenka’s economic policies after the sham election? “Maintaining […]
December 23, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s International Human Solidarity Day address
“Solidarity is a powerful and uniting force. And today is a great occasion to discuss how important mutual help and support are. In times of crisis, we see how much solidarity Belarusians have. How you, my dear ones, come to each other’s aid in difficult situations is inspiring and moving. It motivates us to keep […]
December 21, 2024
“My favorite moments in exile are when I get to see you, hug you, and share kind words”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s International Migrants Day address
“Like hundreds of thousands of Belarusians, I know how difficult it is to adapt to life in a foreign country. How painful it is to spend every day without the chance to embrace loved ones or return home. I often dream of Belarus. Sometimes these dreams are nightmares, as they are for many Belarusians, tied […]
December 18, 2024
“Lukashenka’s hopes for going back to business as usual with the West are futile”
In an interview with RFI, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the democratic forces’ strategy ahead of the presidential ‘election’ scheduled by the Lukashenka regime for January 26. Below are the key points from the interview: Implications of the sham election for Belarusians and the West: “My key message is that what the regime is organizing in Belarus […]
December 17, 2024
Belarus Days in Brussels. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 9-15, 2024
VISIT TO BRUSSELS From December 9 to 13, Brussels hosted the Belarus Days, organized by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission in collaboration with the European Parliament. During the visit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the 4th session of the EU-Belarus Consultative Group, the high-level conference on Belarus “Standing with the People […]
December 16, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on Stanislau Shushkevich’s 90th birth anniversary
“Today, I would like to honor the memory of a man who left a profound mark on our history. As the first leader of independent Belarus, a scholar, and a politician, he laid the foundation of our nation’s independence and dedicated his life to transforming Belarus into a free and democratic country. Stanislau Shushkevich played […]
December 15, 2024
Summary of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Brussels (December 9–13, 2024)
Meetings Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament: Discussed the non-recognition of Lukashenka’s sham election, ongoing repression, and the EU’s role in supporting Belarus’ democratic forces. Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: Addressed the EU strategy vis-a-vis Belarus, including sanctions, non-recognition of the sham […]
December 15, 2024
What Kaja Kallas discussed with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel Latushka in Brussels. They attended the opening of an exhibition dedicated to political prisoners in Belarus at the European External Action Service HQ. This was Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s first meeting with Ms. […]
December 15, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the European Commission: Support for repressed individuals, culture, and independent media
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Marta Kos. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Commissioner Kos on her appointment and outlined the work of Belarus’ democratic forces and civil society, as well as the situation of political prisoners in the country. She provided updates on the ongoing Needs Assessment for journalists, human […]
December 15, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, hosted Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya ahead of the high-level conference on Belarus in the European Parliament. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Ms. Metsola for supporting the Belarus Days in Brussels and inviting over 150 Belarusian representatives, including human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and cultural figures. “This is truly an unprecedented event. […]
December 13, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius
During the Belarus Days in Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Mr. Kubilius on his appointment, thanking him for his years of support during his time in the European Parliament and expressing hope for closer collaboration in the future. The meeting focused on […]
December 13, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Minister-President of Flanders Matthias Diependaele
During the Belarus Days in Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel Latushka of the United Transitional Cabinet met with the new Minister-President of Flanders, Matthias Diependaele. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Flanders for hosting the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels. She highlighted Flanders’ aid to Belarusian expert, civic, and cultural initiatives, as well as the support provided […]
December 13, 2024
“The EU will continue to play a key role in shaping Belarus’ future”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya briefed a European Parliament delegation
During the Belarus Days in Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a briefing for a European Parliament delegation. She outlined the key challenges Belarus faces, calling for rejecting the legitimacy of the 2025 ‘election’, supporting independent Belarusian media, and increasing assistance to Belarusian society. In addition, she proposed effective ways to aid political prisoners and their families. […]
December 12, 2024
“Belarusians do not need imperial Russia to tell us how to live and what to do”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a high-level conference on Belarus in Brussels
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her working visit to Brussels. On Thursday morning, she participated in the high-level conference titled “Standing with the People of Belarus”. The event also featured the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, its members, EU representatives, ambassadors, and special envoys on Belarus. The conference, organized by the European External Action Service […]
December 12, 2024
“Human rights defenders are our Marvel superheroes!” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at “Unbroken” exhibition
Today’s program of the Belarus Days in Brussels began with the opening of the “Unbroken” exhibition, dedicated to the imprisoned human rights defenders of the Viasna Human Rights Center. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered an address, emphasizing their incredible courage and praising the exhibition as a symbol of the struggle for freedom. “Today, we launched an exhibition […]
December 12, 2024
“By displaying the works of political prisoners, we remind the world of their plight”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya inaugurated “Voices from Prison” exhibition in Brussels
During her visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya inaugurated the exhibition “Voices from Prison: Art as Resistance”. The project features drawings and letters revealing the stories of Belarusian political prisoners, their resilience, and the defiance they demonstrate even behind bars. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya praised the project as important and shared her reflections after viewing […]
December 11, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s comment on the suicide of activist Sviatlana Krutsikava
“On December 10, Sviatlana Krutsikava took her own life. She had been persecuted for distributing ‘extremist’ materials, subjected to searches, and endured psychological abuse. It is impossible to comprehend the torment that drove someone to such a tragic and irreversible step – a step born of despair. The regime destroys lives not only in prisons. […]
December 11, 2024