“Military power might be meaningless if there are no people ready to defend their land”
On the second day of the Warsaw Security Forum, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the panel discussion “The Unbroken: Fight for Democratic Sovereignty in a Hostile Neighborhood” alongside the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, the fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, the Vice-Chair of Open Society Foundations, Daniel Sachs, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra […]
October 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has begun her visit to Warsaw to take part in the Warsaw Security Forum, an annual international platform that gathers politicians, diplomats, experts, and civil society leaders from across the globe. This year, the participants include the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, the US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, […]
September 30, 2025
Second Congress on Political Prisoners in Belarus: Day Two
Day Two of the Second Congress on Political Prisoners in Belarus took place in Poznań on September 28, with former prisoners and their families participating. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, and the United Transitional Cabinet Representative on Social Policy, Volha Zazulinskaya, delivered opening remarks. Day Two served as a platform for Belarusian […]
September 30, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulates PAS and pro-European forces in Moldova on their election victory
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Allow me to sincerely congratulate you on this important election victory. This is not only a success for the PAS party and President Maia Sandu. Above all, it is a victory for the Moldovan people, who have chosen the path of democracy, independence, and a European future. Your choice carries historic significance. It […]
September 30, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered the Václav Havel Lecture in Chicago
During her visit to the United States, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the University of Chicago, where she met with the Belarusian diaspora, university leadership, and faculty deans, and delivered a lecture titled “The Power of the Powerless: Standing Against Tyranny in Belarus”. The Václav Havel Lecture is held annually – last year, it was delivered by […]
September 30, 2025
Second Congress on Political Prisoners in Belarus #WithoutJustCause started in Warsaw
The Second Congress on Political Prisoners in Belarus #WithoutJustCause started in Warsaw. Participants, including international partners, discussed how joint efforts inside the country and at the international level can help achieve the release of prisoners and put an end to repression. Diplomats from the United States, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada […]
September 30, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a meeting at the New York University School of Law
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in a meeting at the New York University School of Law. The event brought together students, faculty, and members of the local Belarusian community in New York. Professor Richard Pildes delivered opening remarks, after which Siarhei Tsikhanouski addressed the audience. The main part of the event took the form of a panel […]
September 26, 2025
“Dictators hate freedom-lovers because even in prison, they remain freer than their guards”
Belarusian writer and lawyer Maksim Znak has been awarded the prestigious Disturbing the Peace Award to a Courageous Writer at Risk, presented annually by the Václav Havel Center in New York. The award honors writers and creators who demonstrate courage in defending truth and freedom. In 2021, Belarusian poet Dzmitry Strotsau received the same recognition. […]
September 26, 2025
“Time for Accountability and Justice”: An event on Belarus took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly
The European Union Delegation to the UN, in partnership with Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, held a roundtable discussion titled “Time for Accountability and Justice: Rule of Law under Threat in Belarus” during the 80th UN General Assembly. It was moderated by the Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, Belén […]
September 26, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President of Poland Karol Nawrocki
During the UN General Assembly, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. This was her first meeting with the country’s new head of state after he took office. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, spoke in detail about the Belarusian leader’s meetings, including with President Nawrocki, in an interview with Zerkalo.
September 26, 2025
“Free media are also a form of defense. They protect societies from authoritarian influence and propaganda”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the discussion “On the Brink? Is Media Freedom at Risk? A Global Perspective on Press Freedom” at the Concordia Annual Summit 2025 during her visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. This was the 15th anniversary Summit, which traditionally brings together global leaders, business representatives, and NGOs. The […]
September 26, 2025
Belarus’ democratic forces and civil society promote Council of Europe anti-discrimination standards
A training course on European standards of equality and anti-discrimination for representatives of Belarus’ democratic forces and civil society has concluded in Strasbourg. Over the course of several months, activists, lawyers, journalists, and researchers studied the practices against racism and intolerance implemented by the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, and the […]
September 25, 2025
Statement by UN independent experts on the disappearance of Mikalai Statkevich
On September 23, UN independent experts issued a statement regarding the disappearance of Mikalai Statkevich. According to them, there are solid grounds to believe that the Belarusian politician has become a victim of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention. The experts stressed that the regime is obliged to immediately disclose the truth about his fate, whereabouts, […]
September 25, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the reopening of crossings at the Poland–Belarus border
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am pleased that passenger connections between Belarus and Poland will be restored. Free movement of Belarusians across the border is of vital importance, as it means the ability to embrace loved ones, study, work, and see free Europe with one’s own eyes. We are grateful to the Polish side, with which the […]
September 25, 2025
Two UN events addressed the human rights situation in Belarus
On September 19, within the framework of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, an interactive dialogue was held with Karinna Moskalenko, a member of the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus, as well as a side event “Give a Voice to the Victims: Human Rights Violations in Belarus”, organized by the Permanent […]
September 25, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meetings during the 80th UN General Assembly
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a visit to the United States, with the central part of her trip being the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya has met with: President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel; President of Finland, Alexander Stubb; President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa; United States […]
September 24, 2025
Meeting with the new Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, new Advisor on Education and Science. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: September 15–21
MEETING WITH THE NEW SPEAKER OF THE SEIMAS OF LITHUANIA Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania, Juozas Olekas. Until recently, Juozas Olekas headed the Seimas group “For a Democratic Belarus”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Speaker Olekas for his principled stance and steadfast support of democratic Belarus from the Lithuanian Seimas. […]
September 22, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the WPL Future Positive Reception during the UN General Assembly
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has begun her working visit to the United States. In New York, she took part in the WPL Future Positive Reception organized by the Women Political Leaders. The event took place within the framework of the UN General Assembly for the 13th year and brought together presidents, ministers, MPs, and mayors from around […]
September 22, 2025
Pavel Tereshkovich joins Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office as the Advisor on Education and Science
Dr. Pavel Tereshkovich, a historian and anthropologist, has joined Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office as the new Advisor on Education and Science, succeeding Tatiana Shchyttsova. Dr. Tereshkovich has worked in education for many years, teaching at the Belarusian State University, serving as Dean and Chair of the Senate at the European Humanities University, completing research fellowships in […]
September 19, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the anniversary of Belarus’ official name and national symbols adoption
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “September 19, 1991, is one of those dates that defines us as a nation. 34 years ago, what had long lived in the hearts of Belarusians was finally affirmed – we have our country, our name, and our symbols. Pahonia and the white-red-white flag became a sign that Belarus was returning to the […]
September 19, 2025
UN experts published a report on the situation of human rights in Belarus
The UN Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus has published a new report, confirming that human rights violations in the country are widespread and systematic, and that attacks on civilians are not accidental but part of a state policy aimed for years at suppressing dissent. The report: Names institutions […]
September 19, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the latest release of political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “‘Finally free!’ These are exactly the words we want to hear about all of our political prisoners. I am happy for everyone who will soon be able to embrace their loved ones, be reunited with their families, and gain access to essential medical care. This is an important humanitarian step, one that must […]
September 19, 2025
“The issue of political prisoners in Belarus is a parliamentary priority”. A press conference of political prisoners took place in the Lithuanian Seimas
A press conference was held in the Lithuanian Seimas with the participation of recently released political prisoners Dzmitry Kuchuk, Mikalai Dziadok, and Larysa Shchyrakova, as well as Speaker Juozas Olekas and members of the group “For a Democratic Belarus” Ruslanas Baranovas and Tomas Tomilinas. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation and Constitutional Reform, Anatoli Liabedzka, […]
September 19, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with new Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Juozas Olekas
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met today with the new Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, Juozas Olekas. Until recently, Mr. Olekas chaired the parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”. The parties discussed key issues of Belarusian–Lithuanian cooperation: Release of political prisoners. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Lithuania for promptly receiving the released, assisting them at the border, issuing the necessary […]
September 16, 2025
Political prisoners released! Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: September 8–14
RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS On September 11, 52 political prisoners were released in Belarus, including 38 Belarusian citizens. They were forcibly transferred from Belarus to Lithuania. Among them was Mikalai Statkevich, who refused to leave Belarus. On September 12, a joint press conference took place in Vilnius. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed those released, thanked President Trump […]
September 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the First European Conference for Freedom and Democracy in Ventotene
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is in Italy, where the First European Conference for Freedom and Democracy, backed by the European Parliament, is taking place. The event gathers journalists, scholars, European politicians, Nobel Prize laureates, and young activists. The conference included a panel on Belarus, during which Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech and touched upon the following issues: […]
September 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the Zapad-2025 Belarus–Russia military exercise
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The Zapad-2025 Belarus–Russia military exercise began today. We all understand that it is not about Belarus’ security. On the contrary, this exercise is about subordinating our country to Russia and dragging Belarusians into someone else’s war. This year, the exercise includes testing Russia’s Oreshnik and tactical nuclear weapons. This poses a tangible threat […]
September 14, 2025
Press conference with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and released political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I welcome all our heroes. Thank you for standing strong and enduring. Yesterday was a very emotional and difficult day for all of us. First of all, I want to thank President Trump, John Coale, and Chris Smith. Thanks to their efforts, people walked free. President Trump was right — this was the […]
September 12, 2025
Belarusian NGOs met in Warsaw to coordinate support for political prisoners in case of mass releases
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, and the United Transitional Cabinet’s Representative for Social Policy, Volha Zazulinskaya, held meetings with NGOs supporting political prisoners. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Deputy in the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, also joined the discussion. Participants included representatives of Dissidentby, Volnyja, ByHelp, Partyzanka, Freedom Women, Humanosh, Da Voli! Association of […]
September 12, 2025