Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on Ales Bialiatski’s birthday
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today is the birthday of human rights defender, head of the Viasna Center, and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski. The regime threw him behind bars simply because he spoke the truth, documented the repressions, and helped the people affected by them. Thanks to his work, the world knew the truth about the situation in […]
September 25, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack
During the UN General Assembly, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack. They discussed the regime’s persecution of Belarusians abroad and the risks faced by those returning to their homeland. Additionally, they discussed: 📎 Holding the regime’s officials accountable for their involvement in repression and human rights violations; […]
September 24, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Josep Borrell in New York
During the UN General Assembly, the Belarusian leader met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, to discuss the situation of political prisoners in Belarus, including those kept incommunicado. She also raised the issue of support for independent media and civil society. The parties also discussed: 📎 Restrictions on […]
September 24, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at UN Human Rights Council 57th session: “Belarusian prisons are death traps”
The UN Human Rights Council held an interactive dialogue on resolution 55/27 regarding the interim report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath. The Chair of the Independent Expert Group on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus, Karinna […]
September 23, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “This is not just a crisis – it’s a national catastrophe – and a situation where the UN must intervene”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commenced her visit to the United States by participating in a debate on political prisoners on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, organized by the EU Delegation together with Estonia, Lithuania, Spain, Germany, and France. Diplomats and representatives from more than 30 countries attended the debate, with the foreign ministers of Lithuania […]
September 23, 2024
Release of political prisoners, aid to flood victims, launch of International Humanitarian Fund. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for September 16-22
LAUNCH OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN FUND Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, together with Belarusian human rights defenders, presented the International Humanitarian Fund to support the repressed. The fund, already supported by Sweden and Norway (with contributions totaling €1.5 million), will assist political prisoners and their families, with a focus on those inside the country. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that the […]
September 23, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will visit the United States
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will visit the United States from September 22 to 27. During her visit, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya will participate in the high-level week of the 79th UN General Assembly, meeting with global leaders, representatives of international organizations, and the Belarusian diaspora in the US. The discussions will focus primarily on international support for Belarus’ democratic […]
September 21, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with refugees from Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the shelter in Vilnius run by the Humanitarian Emergency Service. She was given a tour of the facility, where former political prisoners, their families, and Belarusian activists are staying. The leader met with the shelter residents, who, in an open and warm conversation, told their personal stories of facing persecution in Belarus […]
September 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met USAID Deputy Administrator and attended launch of USAID Belarus office
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met USAID Deputy Administrator and attended launch of USAID Belarus office Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Vilnius with the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) Deputy Administrator, Ambassador Erin Elizabeth McKee. During the meeting, the parties discussed US support for independent Belarusian media, human rights defenders, cultural projects, pro-democracy businesses, and educational programs. […]
September 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Democracy can’t do without knowledge, and true knowledge requires freedom”
The Belarusian leader delivered a speech at the opening of the international conference “Imprisoned Rationality, Philosophy in Prison”, organized in solidarity with politically imprisoned Belarusian philosopher Uladzimir Matskevich. In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the importance of knowledge and freedom of thought in a democratic society and emphasized the regime’s pressure on intellectuals in Belarus. […]
September 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “For four years, the regime has tried hard to silence Belarusians”
In an interview with the Dozhd TV channel, the Belarusian leader shared her vision of the conditions required for fair elections in Belarus and emphasized the importance of strengthening national identity. Here are the key points from the interview: 📌 “Lukashenka wants to stay in power indefinitely. He is afraid of passing it on because […]
September 19, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “People affected by repression need help here and now, not someday in the future”
Today in Vilnius, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented the International Humanitarian Fund to support political prisoners in Belarus. The event was held as a press conference, with representatives of Belarusian humanitarian support organizations participating, including Volha Zazulinskaya (A Country to Live in Foundation), Andrei Stryzhak (BYSOL Foundation), and Alexey Leonchik (ByHelp Foundation). Here’s Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s speech: “Dear […]
September 19, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on anniversary of Belarus’ official name and national symbols adoption
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “33 years ago, the Supreme Council adopted the Republic of Belarus as the official name of our country. Along with the country’s name, it also established the Pahonia coat of arms and the white-red-white flag as the state symbols, embodying Belarusians’ long path toward freedom and independence, pursuit of justice, and right to […]
September 19, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on 1500 days of 2020 protests
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks exactly 1500 days since we realized just how many of us there are. So many people who are ready to fight for the freedom and future of our Belarus. Sometimes, it feels like these 1500 days were only about pain, suffering, and loss. And indeed, it has been an incredibly tough […]
September 17, 2024
“When democratic changes come and there won’t be any fear to speak openly, Belarusians will take their independence back”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Warsaw and delivered an address during a panel on Belarus and the Baltic region. The Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, took part in the event alongside the Belarusian leader. Here’s Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech: “Dear Excellencies, friends Dear friends, I want to start with […]
September 17, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusians show solidarity and self-organization in helping flood victims”
The Belarusian democratic forces and diaspora groups are actively assisting the victims of the flood that has affected several countries in Central Europe, including Poland and the Czech Republic. In this difficult time, Belarusians are showing solidarity and support both within their community and for the affected residents. The United Transitional Cabinet has organized a […]
September 17, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “No matter how long you’ve been away – for the regime, there is no statute of limitations”
The regime continues detaining people returning to Belarus. According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, at least 55 such people have been detained in 2024 so far, with more than 200 cases recorded last year. The Belarusian leader comments on the arrests of Belarusians returning home from abroad: “The regime is trying to lure us […]
September 17, 2024
Belarusian-registered vehicles, support for civil society, free education for Belarusians. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Latvia’s Special Representative
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, her Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and Representative for Estonia and Latvia, Vitaly Malchanau, met with Latvia’s newly-appointed Special Representative to the Belarusian democratic community, Gunta Pastore. The meeting focused on the restrictions recently introduced in Latvia against Belarusian-registered vehicles, whose owners cannot return to Belarus due to political persecution. In addition, the parties […]
September 16, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on release of political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, another 37 political prisoners were announced to be released. I rejoice for every family that, after such difficult trials, will finally experience the long-awaited happiness of being reunited. I am happy for every child who will embrace their freed mother and hear a bedtime story told by their much-missed father. I am […]
September 16, 2024
Accountability for human rights violations, support for political prisoners, Andrei Hniot’s case, international cooperation. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for September 9-15
ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE LUKASHENKA REGIME Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, along with Lithuania’s Minister of Justice, addressed the opening of the international conference “Accountability for Crimes and Human Rights Violations in Belarus” in Vilnius. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for gathering evidence of the regime’s crimes, applying universal jurisdiction, and using international court mechanisms to hold the regime accomplices to […]
September 16, 2024
Visas and legalization of stay for Belarusians, cooperation during Italy’s G7 Presidency: Dzianis Kuchynski’s working visit to Italy
During his working visit to Italy, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, met with representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of the Interior, and the country’s Parliament. With Italian politicians, he discussed strengthening support for Belarusians, Italy’s cooperation with the democratic forces of Belarus, and other issues. During his meetings with the Chief […]
September 14, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Restoring justice is not just a necessity; it is our only path back to democracy”
The Belarusian leader spoke at the opening of the international conference “Accountability for Crimes and Human Rights Violations in Belarus”. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for international support and efforts to hold those responsible for the repression against the Belarusian people accountable. She specifically highlighted the absurd sentences that people in Belarus have been […]
September 13, 2024
United States will continue supporting democratic Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Deputy Secretary of State in Vilnius
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, during his visit to Vilnius. While she expressed her gratitude to the United States for its support and solidarity, the US representative emphasized that the United States will continue to support the people of Belarus and the democratic community. The parties discussed the […]
September 13, 2024
Five Belarusians received scholarships under Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s patronage at MCI Management Center Innsbruck
Among the first scholarship recipients is Aliaksandra Pushkina, who is a board member at the Zerkalo media outlet. She will study at MCI Management Center Innsbruck in Austria, where she will major in Management, Communication, and IT. The scholarship program, launched under the honorary patronage of Ms. Tsikhanouskaya, was the result of her visit to […]
September 13, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Secretary General of Estonian Foreign Ministry
The Belarusian leader, accompanied by her Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and Representative for Estonia and Latvia, Vitaly Malchanau, met with the Secretary General of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jonatan Vseviov. During the meeting, the parties discussed: 📌 The need to distinguish between the people of Belarus and the Lukashenka regime; 📌 The current […]
September 12, 2024
Meetings with Belarusian refugees and former political prisoners, the release of a Belarusian woman in Armenia, and plans for 2025. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for September 2-8
ESCALATION AT THE BELARUSIAN-UKRAINIAN BORDER Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya condemned the regime’s attempts to escalate the situation at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border and the dictator’s statements about the concentration of Belarusian troops in border areas. On September 5, two Russian kamikaze drones, known as “Shahed,” were shot down in Belarus. This is not the first incident; in recent […]
September 12, 2024
Statement by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on Andrei Hniot’s case
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office welcomes the decision by an appeals court in Serbia to cancel Andrei Hniot’s extradition. However, we would like to emphasize that the cancellation of the extradition is not the final resolution of the case. The democratic forces, human rights defenders, and international partners will continue the struggle for Andrei’s freedom. We will […]
September 11, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Belarusian Orthodox parish in Vilnius after attack
The Belarusian leader met with priests and believers of the Belarusian Orthodox parish in Vilnius. During the meeting, she was given a tour of the church and told about the parish’s history and its mission – to work with Belarusians worldwide, including those inside the country. Representatives from the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including […]
September 11, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I strive to talk to everyone and try to find consensus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was interviewed by Dmytro Gordon’s channel, where she shared her thoughts on why Belarusians and Ukrainians need to talk about their pain and support each other. She also emphasized that the democratic forces represent the majority of Belarusians. Here are some interesting points from the conversation: 📌 “I am one of the people […]
September 10, 2024