August 07, 2025
5 years of Legal Team’s work: What are the results?
A few days ago, we summed up the achievements of the democratic forces in international advocacy. Today, it’s time to look at the progress in the legal field. The Legal Team of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shares the key results of its work. Over the past five years, we have developed numerous legal decisions […]
August 06, 2025
“Today, Ales Pushkin would have turned 60”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, Ales Pushkin would have turned 60. The artist left behind a living creative legacy and a presence that deeply resonates in our cultural memory. Ales expressed his love for Belarus through his works and actions – bold, sincere, and full of human dignity. The regime tortured Ales to death behind bars but […]
August 06, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulates Karol Nawrocki on assuming the office of President of the Republic of Poland
Dear President Karol Nawrocki, I warmly congratulate you on assuming the office of President of the Republic of Poland! This is a great day for both the Polish people and all who believe in democracy, justice, and freedom. Your victory in a truly free election is an example for the entire region and a source […]
August 06, 2025
Join events on August 9 to mark five years since the 2020 protests in Belarus!
On August 9, 2020, Belarusians took to the streets to defend their choice and their future. For five years now, our diaspora has commemorated this date as a symbol of unity, solidarity, and protest against repression, violence, and dictatorship. To mark the anniversary of the peaceful demonstrations, Belarusians are organizing marches, rallies, gatherings, and cultural […]
August 06, 2025
5 years of international advocacy by the democratic forces of Belarus: What has been achieved?
August 9 marks the fifth anniversary of the mass protests in Belarus. The key outcomes of the past five years will be summed up during the New Belarus Conference in Warsaw. Over the past five years, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, her Office, and the United Transitional Cabinet have established diplomatic ties, advocated for Belarusians, led global solidarity […]
August 05, 2025
Visit to Finland, solidarity rally for Ukraine, preparations for the New Belarus Conference. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 28 – August 3
NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE On August 9–10, Warsaw will host the New Belarus Conference 2025, summarizing five years of the democratic forces’ work. Joint resolutions are expected to be adopted, and new appointments to the United Transitional Cabinet announced. See the program at the link. To register as a participant, use this form. If you’re a […]
August 04, 2025
Monthly recap: July 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The Volunteer Service of the Viasna Human Rights Center presented a guide on peaceful assemblies for Belarusians living abroad. The Free Belarus Center updated and relaunched its support services: Belarusians can request legal, psychological, and accounting assistance. Dissidentby launched a dedicated section on their website with information on individuals involved in the repression of political […]
August 04, 2025
“Overcoming the consequences of Lukashenka’s repressive policies is a reality we will all have to face in the near future”
At times, it might seem that repression in Belarus is easing. Political prisoners are being released, and their number appears to be decreasing. But that’s not the case – a closer look at the context tells a different story. BelPol has analyzed the true scale of repression: Since 2020, repression has affected at least 500,000 […]
August 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to discuss political prisoners in Belarus
On the sidelines of the OSCE conference in Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. They discussed communication with the authorities in Minsk regarding the release of political prisoners, a possible visit by the Commissioner to the region, and United States’ efforts toward humanitarian releases, including that of […]
August 04, 2025
Belarusian issue at the UN Security Council: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon
During her visit to Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon. The meeting took place as the country prepares to chair the UN Security Council in December. Slovenia took Belarus’ place on the Council after receiving 153 votes in the General Assembly, while Belarus received only 38. Ms. […]
August 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Pekka Haavisto
Tsikhanouskaya met with Pekka Haavistom – former Finnish Foreign Minister and presidential candidate who narrowly lost to Alexander Stubb with 49% of the vote. They discussed regional politics, potential scenarios for Belarus and the region, and coordination with the United States administration. Mr. Haavisto shared insights from his 2020 talks with Uladzimir Makei and negotiations […]
August 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with new President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Pere Joan Pons Sampietro
In Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, and the former President, Pia Kauma. President Pons Sampietro invited Ms. Tsikhanouskaya to participate in an OSCE PA session and emphasized that keeping Belarus on the international agenda is a top priority for the Assembly. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya […]
August 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Jussi Halla-aho
During her visit to Finland, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Speaker of the country’s Parliament, Jussi Halla-aho. Mr. Halla-aho opened the meeting in Belarusian, and the conversation partly continued in the Belarusian language. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Mr. Halla-aho for organizing the Helsinki Dialogue Conference, which led to the formalization of the democratic forces’ relations with […]
August 01, 2025
Finland to join the International Humanitarian Fund to support repressed Belarusians
In Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Foreign Minister of Finland, Elina Valtonen, who currently chairs the OSCE. The minister agreed to join the International Humanitarian Fund and allocate €50,000 in aid to victims of repression. In addition to Finland, the fund has already been joined by Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Estonia, Luxembourg, and […]
July 31, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President of Finland Alexander Stubb
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her working visit to Helsinki. After her speech at the Helsinki+50 Conference, she met with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb. Mr. Stubb repeatedly expressed solidarity with Belarus following the events of 2020, and Finland remains an important ally of the democratic forces in their fight for freedom and change. The parties […]
July 31, 2025
“We keep fighting until all families are reunited. Until everyone can return home”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Finland by joining the Helsinki+50 Conference. The event, marking the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Accords, brought together international leaders and politicians, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Before her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed condolences […]
July 29, 2025
“The regime sees nothing wrong in keeping people in the dark”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s comment on the drone crash in Minsk
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Last night, another Russian drone was shot down in Minsk. It crashed near a kindergarten and lay there for half an hour before the police arrived. Fortunately, there were no casualties this time. But just this past week, 59 drones entered Belarusian airspace, and the fact that no one was hurt is nothing […]
July 29, 2025
“The war unleashed by imperialist Russia must be stopped”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a solidarity rally for Ukraine in Vilnius
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the 148th weekly rally in support of Ukraine. She addressed the participants, expressing unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and calling for unity and joint resistance against the aggressor. On resistance and the horrors of war “Every day and every night brings a new barbaric attack on civilians and civilian infrastructure. More victims. […]
July 28, 2025
Appeal to President Zelenskyy, solidarity with Ukraine. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 21–27
NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE The New Belarus Conference 2025 will take place in Warsaw on August 9–10, marking the anniversary of the mass protests of 2020. The event will feature a review of five years of the democratic forces’ efforts, joint resolutions, new campaigns, and United Transitional Cabinet appointments. See the conference program at the link. […]
July 27, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the anniversary of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “July 27, 1990, was the day Belarusians declared: We have the right to our own state. Thirty-five years have passed since the adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty, which reflected our people’s intention and their will to live by their own rules. Today, when the country is ruled by a pro-Russian regime and […]
July 25, 2025
Exhibition on political prisoners in Belarus opened in Prague
On July 24, an exhibition dedicated to political prisoners from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine opened in Prague. It was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Czech NGOs People In Need, Prague Civil Society Centre, and Gulag.cz. The exhibition tells the stories of real people – Nariman, […]
July 24, 2025
“We must not allow one person’s unacceptable actions to destroy BYSOL’s years of work”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The recent news has caused outrage and disappointment, and I want to express my support for all women affected by harassment. Thank you for finding the strength to speak openly about such important and painful issues. Inappropriate and shameful behavior cannot be justified or silenced. This is a broader societal problem that affects […]
July 24, 2025
Join the solidarity rally with Ukraine in Vilnius on July 28!
Next Monday, the weekly rally in support of Ukraine will take place for the 148th time at Cathedral Square in Vilnius. This time, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski will join the event to demonstrate that Belarusians’ support for Ukraine remains unwavering even 1,250 days after the war began, and our solidarity has not faded. Come […]
July 23, 2025
Official comment by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya regarding the statement by Lithuanian Seimas member Vytautas Sinica
The Belarusian democratic community values the long-standing support of Lithuania, its government, and people, and thanks it for standing by Belarusians in their peaceful struggle for democratic and European transformation, and for helping those who face persecution or have been forced into exile due to repression. The statement by a member of the Lithuanian Seimas, […]
July 23, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya appealed to Volodymyr Zelenskyy to support the law on the status of Belarusian volunteer fighters
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has sent an official appeal to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, requesting his support and a fast-track process for the adoption of the law that would define the legal status of Belarusian volunteer fighters in Ukraine. Work on the draft law began back in March following a roundtable in Kyiv, in which […]
July 21, 2025
Belarus pension system: Challenges and outlook
The Lukashenka regime likes to call pensions a “social guarantee”. But the truth is they’re not. Belarusians pay for them themselves, and they do so every month. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has prepared clear answers to key questions about the pension system in Belarus. Is it true that the pension system depends on the number of […]
July 21, 2025
Meetings at NATO, aid for independent media, 5th anniversary of the 2020 protests. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 14–20
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROTESTS The democratic forces are preparing to mark the 5th anniversary of the 2020 presidential election. On this day, they call on the international community to support Belarusians in their struggle for freedom. The New Belarus Conference in Warsaw will bring together all bodies of the democratic forces and civil society […]
July 18, 2025
Dzianis Kuchynski participated in the Aspen Security Forum and met with Trump administration officials
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, visited the United States to hold meetings at the White House, the State Department, and Congress. He also participated in the Aspen Security Forum. The agenda included the release of political prisoners, Belarus–US cooperation, and regional security. At the White House, Mr. Kuchynski met with Andy Baker, who serves […]
July 18, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Italian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
During the session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the Italian parliamentary delegation led by Lorenzo Cesa. Mr. Cesa emphasized that the situation in Belarus is regularly discussed in the Italian parliament, noting that Italy is home to the largest parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus” – bringing […]