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
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Vice President’s National Security Advisor Philip Gordon
During her working visit to Washington, the Belarusian leader met with Philip Gordon, who serves as the National Security Advisor to the US Vice President, Kamala Harris. Ms. Harris will lead the US delegation at the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland. The main topic of the meeting was the representation of Belarus at the Peace […]
June 14, 2024
“This award is for millions of Belarusians who are paying biggest price for freedom and democracy”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the NED Democracy Medal Ceremony
During her visit to the United States, the Belarusian leader received the NED Democracy Medal for Democracy Service. This award is given for outstanding contributions to the cause of freedom and democracy. Previous recipients include former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, former Polish President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Lech Wałęsa, […]
June 14, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at US Congress hearing on political prisoners: “What regime is doing to our loved ones is called torture”
During her working visit to Washington, the Belarusian leader participated in a hearing of the Helsinki Commission, the US Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. This independent US government body deals with monitoring human rights and the implementation of the Helsinki Accords. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya highlighted the daily repression in Belarus and […]
June 14, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Lukashenka is already in Russia’s hands, but don’t push Belarusians there”
During her working trip to Washington, the Belarusian leader gave an interview to Voice of America, where she discussed nuclear blackmail by dictators and emphasized Lukashenka’s total dependence on the Kremlin. Here are the most notable quotes from the conversation: 📌 “What we are witnessing right now is nuclear blackmail. All these exercises, as far […]
June 13, 2024
Legal Team’s comment on Serbia’s decision to extradite Andrei Hniot to Belarus
Today, the lawyers of movie director Andrei Gnet received the decision of the Higher Court in Belgrade on Andrei’s possible extradition to Belarus. If extradited for criminal prosecution, Andrei will inevitably face a severe prison term for his peaceful civil activism and exercising his rights. During the months Andrei has been in custody in Belgrade, […]
June 13, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced registration for New Belarus Conference
On August 3 — 4, the New Belarus Conference 2024 will be held in Vilnius. The event will aim to bring together Belarusian democratic forces, activists, civic and cultural initiatives, and the diaspora and provide a platform to discuss the strategic priorities of the democratic movement for 2025, address community challenges, and find solutions together. […]
June 13, 2024
“I’m not afraid. Let them be afraid!” Exhibition dedicated to Ales Bialiatski
On June 12, an exhibition opened in the German Bundestag, dedicated to the Founder and Chair of the Viasna Human Rights Center and the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ales Bialiatski. The exhibition documents the human rights defender’s complex and continuous struggle for a democratic Belarus. It was prepared by Malanka-Media in partnership with BYSOL […]
June 13, 2024
“I am grateful that despite fatigue and burnout, you continue to advance Belarusian cause”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed diaspora in the US
During her visit to the USA, the national leader met with the Belarusian diaspora in Washington. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked them for promoting civic participation and Belarusian culture, organizing rallies and Belarus-related events, as well as participating in the Coordination Council election. The leader shared her team’s priorities for the near future. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stressed the […]
June 13, 2024
“Let’s focus on what unites us”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Coordination Council’s first general meeting
The Coordination Council of the second and third convocations held its first general meeting today. The Belarusian leader opened it with a speech, in which she outlined the key expectations from the Coordination Council and named the priorities for its members: “Dear friends, Let me congratulate you on your election to the new Coordination Council. […]
June 12, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
The Belarusian leader continues her working visit to the USA. One of her key meetings in Washington was with the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, at the White House. During the discussion, the parties addressed the need for comprehensive support for Belarus and Ukraine. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about Belarusian volunteer fighters and aid workers […]
June 12, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her visit to the USA. The Belarusian leader met with the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, John Bass. She expressed gratitude for the support from the US State Department and diplomatic missions in Vilnius responsible for Belarus. During the meeting, the parties discussed: 📌 Financial support for Belarusian media and aid for […]
June 12, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Nancy Pelosi and US Senators
During the first day of her visit to Washington, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, as well as US Senators, Jeanne Shaheen, Dick Durbin, and Peter Welch. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya praised American leadership in opposing dictators. She called for supporting the Belarusian democratic community and increasing pressure on […]
June 12, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with G7 ambassadors and experts in Washington
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to Washington by meeting with the ambassadors and diplomats of the G7 countries. Representatives of the expert community also attended the meeting. The Belarusian leader emphasized the importance of international support for Belarus and called for continued pressure on the Lukashenka regime to release political prisoners and hold free elections. […]
June 12, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “No one in Belarus can be sure they won’t end up in prison by end of day”
In an interview with the Polish TV channel TVP World, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed how modern Belarus is similar to Stalin-era Belarus and called for comprehensive international support and decisive action from the democratic world. Here are the key quotes from the interview: 📌 “Belarusians live in an atmosphere of tyranny and terror. It’s like in […]
June 10, 2024
Luxembourg Solutions for Belarus, updated Coordination Council. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for June 3-9
VISIT TO LUXEMBOURG On June 5-7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Luxembourg, where she met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Speaker of the Parliament, spoke at the Luxembourg Solutions conference focusing on resolving the problems faced by Belarusians in exile, including visas, legalization of stay, and support for national identity. The […]
June 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, welcomed the Head of Belarus’ United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, ahead of the Luxembourg Solutions Conference, which focuses on addressing the issues faced by Belarusians in exile. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya was accompanied by the Cabinet’s Representative for Foreign Affairs, Valery Kavaleuski, and the […]
June 07, 2024