Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs
During her working visit to Latvia, the Belarusian leader met for the first time in Riga with the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže. Ms. Braže assured Ms. Tsikhanouskaya of Latvia’s continued support for Belarus’ democratic forces in their work to make their country free and independent. During the meeting, the parties discussed: 📌 […]
July 05, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It has been a year since the regime last released footage of my husband”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It has been a year since the regime last released footage of my husband. Since then, neither we – his family – nor Belarusians know anything about Siarhei. His inhumane imprisonment has lasted for more than four years. My heart breaks at the thought of him being alone there. Without the chance to […]
July 05, 2024
“Love, solidarity, and Belarusians’ faith in themselves are something the regime can’t understand and fears”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched exhibition “25 Steps to Freedom”
During her visit to Daugavpils, the Belarusian leader launched an exhibition by Belarusian artist Volha Yakubouskaya titled “25 Steps to Freedom”. The characters in this series are cats that embody real people who have left a significant mark on the country’s history during the 2020 events. The event was also attended by representatives of the […]
July 04, 2024
Master’s programs admission for Belarusian students, eased apostille requirements. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Daugavpils University
The Belarusian leader began her working visit to Latvia with meetings at Daugavpils University. During negotiations with the university administration, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the university’s connections with Belarus and its history of contacts with Belarusian universities – up until 2020, it cooperated with higher education institutions in Vitsebsk, Minsk, and Hrodna. Now, the democratic forces […]
July 04, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Instead of building a future on foundations of respect and peace, regime cultivates war”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, at the so-called ‘Stalin Line’, the regime’s actors were instructed to ‘reenact’ an act of genocide during the Independence Day celebrations. This day should be associated with freedom, dignity, and equality. But the dictatorship finds it natural to promote violence and death. Frankly, this is far from preserving historical memory and respecting […]
July 03, 2024
“The regime seeks to control youth’s personal freedom”: Marharyta Vorykhava’s comment on regime’s amendments to Belarus’ education legislation
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, expresses her position on the amendments to Belarus’ education legislation proposed by the regime: “The proposed amendments limit the academic and professional freedoms of young people, introducing control over their personal freedom. This is a violation of basic human rights. The exceptions made for those […]
July 02, 2024
Belarus–EU Consultative Group, meeting with Josep Borrell. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for June 24–30
BELARUS–EU CONSULTATIVE GROUP On June 25-26, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was in Brussels, where she participated in the third meeting of the Belarus–EU Consultative Group. The Belarusian side was represented by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the Coordination Council, the United Transitional Cabinet, NGOs, human rights defenders, and the media. The EU, on the other hand, was represented by […]
July 02, 2024
“Belarus receives revived attention”: Franak Viacorka and Dzianis Kuchynski participated in conference on Ukraine and Belarus in EU
Chief Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Franak Viacorka, and Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, participated in the conference “The EU Integration Prospects for Ukraine and Belarus: Assessing the future”. The event was held in London and featured officials, politicians, experts, and representatives of the EU and its member states’ special envoys for Belarus. The Belarusian section focused […]
July 01, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined Kupalle festivities in Vilnius
From late June to early July, Belarusians in various parts of the world, from Lithuania to the USA, celebrate Kupalle, which relates to the summer solstice. The Belarusian leader joined the festivities in Vilnius. During the celebration, participants wove wreaths and floated them down the river, sang Belarusian folk songs, danced, and searched for the […]
June 30, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Belarusian craftspeople in Vilnius
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kropka, a Belarusian space in Vilnius known for its unique Belarus-themed souvenirs. These beautiful items are created by nearly fifty talented Belarusian craftspeople. The space in Vilnius was launched by former political prisoner Dzmitry Furmanau and his wife Volha. During the meeting, the store’s team showed the Belarusian leader the works and […]
June 28, 2024
Belarus’ democratic forces met with PACE President
A delegation of Belarus’ democratic forces participating in the Summer Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) met with PACE President, Tiny Kox. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, shared what was discussed: 📎 A potential cooperation agreement between the PACE and the democratic forces of […]
June 28, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It seems so unrealistic that in 2024 we are talking about torture. But unfortunately, this is the reality in Belarus. The authorities torture all dissenters. Spending even a few days in jail, being denied medical help or information from the outside world, and not having contact with loved ones – this is already […]
June 26, 2024
Meeting of Belarus–European Union Consultative Group concluded in Brussels
The meeting of the Belarus–EU Consultative Group, a communication platform between the European Union and Belarus’ democratic forces and civil society, concluded in Brussels. The meeting was attended by 34 representatives, 17 from each side. From Belarus, the participants included Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Valery Kavaleuski, Pavel Latushka, and Alina Koushyk. Representatives from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and […]
June 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with EU High Representative Josep Borrell
The Belarusian leader, along with representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, held talks in Brussels with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell. The meeting took place within the framework of the Belarus–EU Consultative Group. The parties discussed in detail: 📎 Continued and increased support for Belarus’ civil society; 📎 Accountability for the […]
June 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched Dresses for Freedom Exhibition in new office of Democratic Belarus Mission in Brussels
During her working visit to Brussels, the Belarusian leader delivered a speech at the opening of the “Dresses for Freedom” exhibition. This exhibition was created by Belarusian artist Hanna Karan and features dresses of Belarusian women who stood up against injustice. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted: “You know, our revolution has often been called […]
June 26, 2024
“Belarusians must see that European perspective is the only alternative to the Russian world”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at meeting of Belarus–EU Consultative Group
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched the meeting of the Belarus–European Union Consultative Group in Brussels. The third meeting of representatives of Belarus’ democratic forces and the Western partners focused on several issues: ⚪️ The political situation in Belarus and human rights; 🔴 Accountability for the regime; ⚪️ Preparations for the 2025 presidential campaign; 🔴 Efforts to free […]
June 25, 2024
Belarus–European Union Consultative Group held its third meeting: What was on agenda?
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is currently in Brussels, where she participated in a meeting of the Belarus–EU Consultative Group. This was the third working meeting of representatives of Belarus’ democratic forces and the EU, this time joined by politicians, human rights defenders, and international relations experts from the Western partners. The issues the working group sought to […]
June 25, 2024
Meetings with Council of Europe’s Secretary General and Armenian Foreign Minister, meeting with Belarusians in Vilnius. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for June 17-23
COOPERATION WITH COUNCIL OF EUROPE Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, at her office in Vilnius. They discussed the continued work of the Contact Group for Belarus’ civil society, steps towards developing a roadmap for Belarus’ accession to the Council of Europe, and the Information Point […]
June 25, 2024
“If you help one country seize another, which you called a brotherly nation, what is it if not betrayal?”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in one of Armenia’s leading media outlets
The Belarusian leader was interviewed by Armenia’s 1in TV. She discussed why she considers the CSTO a tool used by dictators, shared her vision of a true political alliance, and expressed hope for more cooperation between Armenia and the democratic forces of Belarus. Here are the key quotes from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s interview: 📌 “The Lukashenka […]
June 24, 2024
UN established Human Rights Expert Group on Belarus
The President of the Human Rights Council has appointed the members of the new Group of Independent Experts on Human Rights in Belarus. The group includes Susan Bazilli (Canada), Karinna Moskalenko (Russian Federation), and Monika Stanisława Płatek (Poland). The Legal Team of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya notes: “The establishment of such an expert group […]
June 21, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in BBC interview: “People vote for dictators because they want to believe in simple solutions”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined a podcast for the BBC’s One Decision channel. During the conversation, she highlighted the fundamental problems that Belarus has faced in recent years. She explained why active support and response from the West are important not only for Ukraine and Belarus but also for the security of Western countries themselves. Additionally, she […]
June 21, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Every day is a reason itself to remind everyone about our political prisoners”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Every day is a reason itself to remind everyone about our political prisoners. Many of them are kept incommunicado. We haven’t heard: – For 487 days from Ihar Losik; – For 492 days from Maryia Kalesnikava; – For 498 days from Maksim Znak; – For 497 days from Mikalai Statkevich; – For 501 […]
June 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Foreign Minister of Armenia
The Belarusian leader met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, in Vilnius. During their dialogue, they discussed the political situation in Belarus, Armenia, and the region, as well as the cooperation of Belarus’ democratic forces with the government, Parliament, and civil society of Armenia. Mr. Mirzoyan and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya separately talked […]
June 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Despite usurped power and terrifying repression in Belarus, we still have warm memories of home”
In an extensive interview with the Polish Kanal Zero, the Belarusian leader talked about her longing for her homeland and warm memories, emphasized the responsibility of Belarusians for changes in the country, and called for rejecting the notion that everything in the country is decided by one person. 📌 “I miss Belarus. It’s my homeland, […]
June 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Secretary General of Council of Europe
In her Vilnius office, the Belarusian leader held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić. The meeting was also attended by the Director of Marija Pejčinović Burić’s Office, Gianluca Esposito, and Lithuania’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Andrius Krivas. During the discussion, the parties addressed: 📌 […]
June 19, 2024
“Bykau’s fate and work reflect fate of our people”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on 100th anniversary of Vasil Bykau’s birth
June 19 marks 100 years since prominent Belarusian writer Vasil Bykau was born. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addresses Belarusians on this occasion: “Dear friends, Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Vasil Bykau. A writer. A thinker. But above all – a Belarusian. Bykau’s fate and work reflect the fate of our people. This […]
June 19, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on anniversary of Viktar and Eduard Babaryka’s arrest
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Four years ago, the regime imprisoned two brave and talented Belarusians – Viktar and Eduard Babaryka. How long does it take for people to forget their heroes? ‘A month or two, and no one will remember them’, – this is probably what the regime’s henchmen think when they deprive people of their freedom. […]
June 18, 2024
Tatiana Shchyttsova: “It’s even harder for Belarusian scholars to find support than for Russian scholars”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, participated in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Luxembourg Solutions Conference. The professor spoke at the panel “Access to Education”, dedicated to advancing the Belarusian academic community in exile within the Council of Europe member states. Here are the key points from Tatiana Shchyttsova’s […]
June 17, 2024
Working visits to US, NED Democracy Medal, first meeting of new Coordination Council. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for June 10-16
VISIT TO US On 11-14 June, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had a working visit to Washington, DC, during which she met with the ambassadors and diplomats of the G7 countries and called for international support and sanctions pressure on the Lukashenka regime. She also met with the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives and senators, […]
June 17, 2024