Concept of restitution for victims of repression: redress for expelled students
The 2020 rallies of Belarusian students were a vivid example of how young people become agents of change. Many protesters were expelled from educational institutions after the demonstrations, forcing talented young Belarusians to leave the country. After the democratic transition in Belarus, they must be reinstated or compensated for the violation of their rights. The […]
October 18, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will attend inauguration of scholarship program for Belarusians at Innsbruck University
On October 19, the Belarusian leader will visit Innsbruck, Austria, and address its students as part of a lecture series organized by the Management Center Innsbruck. The key part of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's visit to the university will be the inauguration of a scholarship program for Belarusians. The University of Innsbruck has previously hosted addresses from […]
October 18, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s opening remarks on the UK-Belarus Partnership Forum in London, 2023
Your excellency Ms. Rosemary Thomas, Dear Professor Flowers, Dear Mr. Paul Hansbury, Dear Hanna, dear Ales, Dear friends, First of all, thank you very much for organizing this timely and important discussion. I would like to personally thank Professor Alan Flowers and Ales Patrusau. Also, my warmest gratitude goes to the London South Bank University […]
October 18, 2023
Members of UK House of Commons and House of Lords joined Friends of Belarus group and took patronage over political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with members of the UK House of Commons and the House of Lords. They joined the group of Friends of Belarus in the Parliament and took symbolic patronage over Belarusian political prisoners. The group of Friends of Belarus in the UK Parliament is chaired by Sir Tony Lloyd, who has been advocating […]
October 17, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Wendy Morton, Member of the British Parliament
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Wendy Morton, Member of Parliament and former UK Minister for Europe. Wendy Morton was the first UK politician to call Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya after the election in 2020. The national leader thanked Ms. Morton for actively promoting the issue of Belarus on the UK and international agenda. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted the need […]
October 17, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Thinking about my husband doesn’t leave me another choice than to continue my fight”
During her speech in the British Parliament, the Belarusian leader talked about why she continues her fight and where she draws inspiration from. These words may resonate with all Belarusians who aspire to see democracy in their home country.
October 17, 2023
“Fighting for free Belarus is a part of the global struggle for democracy”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed UK Parliament
The Belarusian leader delivered the Westminster Lecture, a speech that authoritative speakers deliver annually to parliamentarians, diplomats, and other people of standing. In her address, she spoke about the situation in Belarus and the strategic priorities of democratic forces and the international community. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusians are tired of living in dictatorship for almost 30 […]
October 17, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered the annual Westminster Lecture at UK Parliament
Your excellency Dame Melinda Simmons, Dear guests, I’m deeply honored to be the first one to deliver this Annual Lecture on the state of democracy in the world. I heartily thank the WFD and CEDAR for this opportunity. I think it’s a common feeling that democracy around the world is in danger. It’s sad to […]
October 17, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office underwent financial audit. Key takeaways
On September 19, 2023, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the auditing company report following the financial audit of its activities. The report in Lithuanian is available at the following link: https://tsikhanouskaya.org/OST_auditas.pdf. Below are the answers to key questions about the results of the financial audit of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: 1) Who conducted […]
October 17, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “European perspective for Belarus is the only alternative to the ‘Russian world”
During her visit to London, the Belarusian leader held a briefing for the ambassadors of 24 EU countries. She asked the nations represented at the meeting to join the OSCE Group of friends of Belarus, as well as to appoint special envoys to work with democratic Belarus instead of sending ambassadors to Minsk. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya […]
October 17, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s briefing for the EU Ambassadors in London, 2023
Your excellencies, Dear friends, I wish to start with words of gratitude to each of you and your governments for your unprecedented support and solidarity. These three years were tough, but we sustained our movement and continue fighting for our freedom. This would not be possible without your support. I wish to thank Europa House […]
October 17, 2023
Boris Johnson: “I stand with the brave people of Belarus”
Today, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson recorded an address in support of Belarusian political prisoners. He supported Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s campaign to raise awareness about political prisoners in Belarus and called on the international community to join it. The campaign aims to remind the world every day about more than 1500 political […]
October 16, 2023
Training session for young Belarusians was held by Council of Europe Contact Group on Belarus
As part of the activities of the Contact Group on Belarus in the Council of Europe, a training session was held, which brought together more than 30 young activists and leaders from Belarus. They developed 7 projects covering different spheres of public life. These projects are an example of how young people can contribute to […]
October 16, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will deliver keynote address about situation in Belarus at UK Parliament
From October 16 to 18, the Belarusian leader is on a working visit to London, where she will deliver a Westminster Lecture at the Parliament. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya's keynote address will focus on the situation in Belarus and the priorities of democratic forces and the international community vis-a-vis Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will participate in the Belarus-UK […]
October 16, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, representatives of her Office, United Transitional Cabinet and Coordination Council wished Belarusian women a Happy Mother’s Day
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, along with representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the Coordination Council, recorded a joint Mother's Day video. Belarusians have probably never seen politicians so open and tender. In this touching video, they shared personal stories about their mothers, whose love has always been a source of strength and inspiration […]
October 14, 2023
Concept of restitution for victims of repression: restitution of property rights
The regime has been arresting, seizing, and auctioning off the assets of Belarusian individuals who took part in demonstrations, advocated for democratic changes, or simply consumed independent media. This includes properties such as land parcels, apartments, garages, phones, and other belongings, which have been confiscated as reparation for fines imposed on politically motivated charges. Hence, […]
October 13, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Mayor of Vilnius Valdas Benkunskas
Vilnius has welcomed tens of thousands of Belarusians, as well as hundreds of civil society organizations, private businesses, and independent media. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya expressed her gratitude to the city and its Mayor's Office for their support – allocating spaces for Belarusian organizations and sponsoring various concerts and cultural events. The Belarusian leader asked the Mayor to […]
October 13, 2023
“We will all definitely come back home”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on Aliaksandr Ivulin’s film about exiled Belarusians
Former political prisoner Aliaksandr Ivulin released a touching film about Belarusians who had to flee the country but are ready to return home at the first opportunity. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged Belarusians to watch it, saying that the stories and emotions of its heroes might resonate with many. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It is not always obvious how […]
October 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with Swedish Defense Commission
On October 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held negotiations with the Swedish Defense Commission in Vilnius. The Commission includes representatives of Sweden's government, Armed Forces, Parliament, as well as all of the country's political parties. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called on Sweden to take a principled stance in defending the independence and sovereignty of Belarus by not recognizing Lukashenka […]
October 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya supported Reporters Without Borders campaign for release of Maryna Zolatava
From September 6 to November 6, Reporters Without Borders is running a campaign “Postcards for Maryna” to mark the birthday of the chief editor of TUT.by, Maryna Zolatava. The project aims to support Maryna and all politically imprisoned journalists in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the campaign and recorded a video in support of Maryna: “You […]
October 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya endorsed Belarusians Culture Map project
Kultmapka.me is an interactive map that shows Belarusian cultural sites and artifacts anywhere in the world. It was created in collaboration with the National Revival Representative Office of the United Transitional Cabinet. Thanks to this project, Belarusians can discover a piece of their homeland and history no matter the location. Currently, there are over 200 […]
October 11, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Ambassadors of Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Lithuania and Croatia
During her working visit to Denmark, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Ambassadors of Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Lithuania, and Croatia, as well as held a number of other, non-public meetings with diplomats. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the ambassadors discussed the situation with political prisoners, support for civil and cultural initiatives, as well as an international strategy vis-a-vis […]
October 10, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President of NATO Parliamentary Assembly Michał Szczerba
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the newly-elected President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Michał Szczerba, who was the NATO Special Rapporteur on Belarus in 2021. During the meeting, the national leader proposed to hold a debate focused solely on Belarus, appoint a special rapporteur, and send delegations of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to Vilnius and Warsaw […]
October 10, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Danish Foreign Minister, Parliament Speaker and MPs
On October 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen. The politicians discussed the issues faced by Belarusians in Denmark, many of whom have become hostages of Lukashenka's recent decree on the cessation of consular activities abroad. The Belarusian leader proposed to consider expired passports as valid, […]
October 10, 2023
Office of Democratic Belarus was launched in the Council of Europe
It has been more than a year since the Council of Europe launched its Contact Group on Relations with Belarus, which includes representatives of democratic forces and civil society. From now on, the building of the Council of Europe also hosts an official Office of Democratic Belarus. This once again emphasizes the recognition of democratic […]
October 10, 2023
Concept of restitution for victims of repression: Commission for Restoration of Justice
The Restitution concept stipulates that the issues of compensation for repressed individuals will be reviewed by the Commission for the Restoration of Justice, which will be formed by a democratic Parliament. The Commission will receive and consider applications from victims of repression while also dealing with issues of truth-finding, restoring trust in state institutions, preventing […]
October 10, 2023
“Our country must abandon this type of punishment forever”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on death penalty
On October 10, World Day Against the Death Penalty is observed. The Belarusian leader released a statement regarding the prospects of this type of punishment in Belarus: “Belarus remains the only country in Europe where the death penalty is used as the exceptional measure of punishment. Every year, Lukashenka only extends the possible use of […]
October 10, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya dedicated NATO PA “Women for Peace and Security” Award to Belarusian women
The Belarusian leader received the NATO PA “Women for Peace and Security” Award and dedicated it to all Belarusian women: “Accepting this award today, I can’t help thinking of Israeli men and women, taken hostage by terrorists these days. I really hope that all the prisoners will return home safely. Our politically imprisoned women are […]
October 09, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s NATO PA Women for Peace and Security Award acceptance speech, 2023
Dear Chairman, Dear members of the Assembly, Dear friends, Thank you, dear Michal, for your kind words. And for your dedicated long-lasting support for democratic Belarus. Congratulations on your new role. NATO PA is lucky to have such a leader as you. I want to thank the honourable jury for giving me this important award, […]
October 09, 2023