Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Knihauka bookstore in Warsaw
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Knihauka, a Belarusian bookstore in Warsaw. She met with publisher Andrei Yanushkevich and familiarized herself with the work of his publishing house, which prints books exclusively in the Belarusian language. Andrei Yanushkevich Publishing is an independent Belarusian publisher founded in Minsk in 2014 and shut down by the regime in early 2023. […]
February 11, 2026
Expansion of presence in Poland, meeting with Viktar Babaryka, Coordination Council hearing. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: February 2–8
EXPANSION OF PRESENCE IN POLAND This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began work in Warsaw, where Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office will soon open. Part of the team will relocate to Warsaw, in particular those who speak Polish and are well acquainted with the Polish context, including the Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, and the Senior Political Advisor, Alexander Dabravolski. […]
February 10, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian Solidarity Center
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the Belarusian Solidarity Center (BSC) in Warsaw today. The discussion included members of the BSC Board, Helena Niedźwiecka and Volha Dabravolskaya. Volha also leads the Legal Aid Department. The meeting focused on legal support for repressed Belarusians, including former political prisoners in exile. The parties also covered practical matters […]
February 10, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to attend the 62nd Munich Security Conference from February 12 to 15
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will attend the Munich Security Conference, taking part in the main program and side events and holding a series of political meetings. The program will include a panel discussion titled “Focus on Belarus”, also featuring Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys and US Senator Peter Welch. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya is scheduled to give several interviews […]
February 10, 2026
Coordination Council hearing in Warsaw: Report by United Transitional Cabinet Head Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Today, February 7, the Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, took part in public hearings of the Coordination Council in Warsaw. In a question-and-answer format, members of the Council’s factions and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the results of the democratic forces’ work and priorities for 2026–2027. The hearing was held publicly and […]
February 08, 2026
Speech by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the Coordination Council hearing on February 7
Dear Speaker Artsiom Brukhan, dear delegates of the Coordination Council, members of the United Transitional Cabinet, dear Belarusians who are watching us online, You know, in recent years I almost always start my speeches with words of gratitude. It may seem like a simple and ordinary thing, but it is precisely this – saying “thank […]
February 08, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Aliaksandr Fiaduta
A meeting between Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Aliaksandr Fiaduta took place in Warsaw. Aliaksandr Fiaduta is a Belarusian literary scholar, political scientist, and publicist who was convicted on politically motivated charges and spent several years in prison. He was released after a long time in prison on December 13, 2025, as a result of the United […]
February 08, 2026
Hearing in Congress, talks at the White House, and meetings at the State Department: Summary of Dzianis Kuchynski’s visit to Washington
Diplomatic Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski, paid a working visit to Washington. Below are the key meetings and outcomes of the visit. HEARING IN CONGRESS On February 3, Dzianis Kuchynski spoke at a hearing of the US Congress’ Human Rights Commission dedicated to the situation in Belarus. The hearing was chaired by Congressman Christopher […]
February 07, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office expands its presence in Poland
This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began working in Warsaw, where the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will soon open and operate both in Warsaw and Vilnius. Part of the team will relocate to Warsaw, in particular those who speak Polish and are well acquainted with the Polish context, including the Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, and the Senior […]
February 07, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with editors-in-chief of Belarusian media in Warsaw
On February 6, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Warsaw with the editors-in-chief of independent Belarusian media outlets to discuss the conditions independent journalism faces today. Key topics of the discussion included: the resilience of Belarusian media in informing Belarusians and reaching millions inside Belarus despite blocking, “extremist” lists, and threats; the challenges faced by media in […]
February 06, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belsat team
On February 6, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belsat team in Warsaw. They discussed the role of Belarusian media in today’s Belarus, the regime’s pressure on journalists, international support, and the challenges of working in exile. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the Belsat team for their tireless work and commitment to truth and justice: “Thank you to […]
February 06, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the National Anti-Crisis Management in Warsaw
Today, on February 5, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the team of the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAU). The meeting was attended by NAU Head Pavel Latushka and team members Artsiom Brukhan, Yuliya Harachaya, Artsiom Praskalovich, Iryna Khalopitsa, and others. The meeting took place at the NAU office in Warsaw. The parties discussed several key […]
February 06, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited a shelter for former political prisoners in Warsaw
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the “Prytuliai Mianie” shelter for former political prisoners in Warsaw. She met with its founder, former political prisoner, and co-founder of the “Prytuliai Mianie” Foundation, Hanna Fedaronak; toured the facility; familiarized herself with its space and conditions; and spoke with the residents. The meeting focused on the shelter’s most urgent needs and […]
February 05, 2026
Major cities in Belarus are losing population. Why?
According to Nasha Niva, over the past 10 years, the population of all major cities in Belarus has declined, with the exception of five. Belarusian cities that once attracted people and resources are now losing residents, jobs, and prospects for the future. And this is not “natural decline” but the result of specific political and […]
February 05, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of Belarusian community spaces in Warsaw
Today, February 4, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with representatives of Belarusian community spaces. Participants included: Palina Brodzik (Free Belarus Center), Ales Zarembiuk (Belarusian House in Warsaw), Vlad Kobets (Belarusian Solidarity Center), Halina Kazimirouskaya (Fundacja Volny Chor, M. Ravenski Belarusian School of Arts in Warsaw), Natallia Zadziarkouskaya (Free Belarus Museum), Ales Lapko (Belarusian Youth Hub). […]
February 04, 2026
Dzianis Kuchynski spoke at a US Congress hearing on the situation in Belarus
On February 3, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, addressed a hearing of the US Congress’ Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. He called for holding a third round of the Strategic Dialogue with the democratic forces of Belarus, as well as for stepping up efforts to secure the release of all political prisoners and to […]
February 04, 2026
280th anniversary of Tadeusz Kościuszko’s birth
February 4 marks the birthday of Tadeusz Kościuszko (Tadevush Kastsiushka), a man whose ideas of freedom and equality extended far beyond the borders of Belarus. Born on Belarusian soil, he fought for human rights and dignity not only in Europe but also in America, where he became one of the heroes of the struggle for […]
February 04, 2026
Dzianis Kuchynski in Washington: Talks at the White House
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, is on a three-day working visit to Washington. The visit takes place on the eve of a Congressional hearing on the human rights situation in Belarus, scheduled for today. As part of the visit, Mr. Kuchynski held two meetings at the White House – with the Special Assistant to […]
February 04, 2026
Meeting at the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
On February 3, a meeting took place in Kyiv between representatives of the democratic forces of Belarus and the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. From the Belarusian side, the meeting was attended by: Leanid Marozau, Advisor on Legal Affairs to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya; Volha Zazulinskaya, Representative for Social Policy of the United […]
February 04, 2026
Monthly recap: January. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The Legal Initiative released the document “The Principles of Safe and Respectful Cooperation: Counteracting Sexualised Harassment”. The Free Belarus Center published a guide on obtaining refugee status and subsidiary protection in Poland. The Forum of Cultural Organizations held its third meeting at the Free Belarus Museum in Warsaw. A press conference on assistance to political […]
February 04, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Viktar Babaryka
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Viktar Babaryka held a working meeting today. This was their first in-person meeting since his release. Before the formal discussions, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya and Mr. Babaryka held a private conversation. The meeting focused on the current agenda, possible next steps for various actors within the democratic forces, as well as approaches to shaping […]
February 04, 2026
Czech Parliament hosts an exhibition on 30 years of dictatorship in Belarus
On February 2, an exhibition titled “30 Years of Dictatorship. 30 Posters with Outcomes” by Arthur Vakarov opened in the building of the Czech Parliament. The exhibition is dedicated to the human rights situation in Belarus and is being presented in the Czech Republic for the first time. Each of the 30 posters represents a […]
February 04, 2026
A rally in memory of those killed in Ukraine took place in Vilnius
On February 2, a rally in memory of those killed in Ukraine was held in Vilnius, organized by the Dapamoga. Belarusians took part in the event to honor the victims of Russian aggression and express solidarity with Ukraine. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, delivered a speech, holding a portrait of Maryia Zaitsava […]
February 03, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the commemoration rally for those killed in Ukraine
Dear compatriots, Dear Ukrainian friends, Thank you sincerely to all of you for attending this event. Special thanks to the organizers, the Ukrainian and Belarusian diaspora in Lithuania. Today, our support is more important for Ukraine than ever. The full-scale war has been ongoing for nearly four years. The aggressors are frenzied in their impotence, […]
February 03, 2026
Advisor on Environment, Belarusian Gymnasium in Vilnius, January highlights. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: January 26 – February 1
APPOINTMENT OF AN ADVISOR ON ENVIRONMENT Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya named Dzmitry Kuchuk as her new Advisor on Environment. In this role, he will develop her Office’s environmental positions, foster cooperation with green organizations, and coordinate events marking the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, including the Chornobyl Way. Mr. Kuchuk – a former political prisoner, former […]
February 03, 2026
Pavel Tereshkovich’s remarks on Kastus Kalinouski’s birthday
February 2 is the birthday of Kastus Kalinouski. On this occasion, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education, Pavel Tereshkovich, reflects on why Kastus Kalinouski is a hero for Belarusians – and why the Lukashenka regime is trying to erase his memory: “Today, we mark the birthday of Konstanty (Kastus) Kalinouski, who is a hero to us. […]
February 02, 2026
Henadz Korshunau to become a consultant to the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Henadz Korshunau will serve as a consultant to the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Mr. Korshunau is a Belarusian sociologist and analyst, former Director of the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, former Senior Research Fellow at the Center for New Ideas, and founder of the Belarusian Sociological Group. In his […]
February 02, 2026
“Almost 800,000 Belarusians live outside the country”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “According to UN estimates for 2024, almost 800,000 Belarusians live outside the country – that is 8.7% of the population. Just imagine: every eleventh Belarusian now lives away from home. Such a staggering number is the result of the Lukashenka regime’s policies. Families torn apart, children growing up without their friends from the […]
February 01, 2026
January 2026: Highlights from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office
January was marked by a series of international meetings and decisions concerning both the support of democratic forces and the practical needs of Belarusians living abroad. The month’s agenda emphasized coordination with international partners, initiatives to facilitate the release of political prisoners, as well as issues related to legal documents and education. Below are the […]
February 01, 2026