New Belarusian passports and simplification of migration for Belarusians: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with European Commissioner for Home Affairs
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the United Transitional Cabinet Representative for Foreign Affairs, Valery Kavaleuski, met with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. The Belarusian leader thanked her for the expert assistance in developing the new Belarusian passport and bringing it in line with international standards. Valery Kavaleuski discussed further plans, such as issuing samples, […]
September 21, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Secretary General of Council of Europe
The meeting took place at the UN headquarters, where the General Assembly is being held. Marija Pejčinović Burić and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the work of the CoE Contact Group on Belarus, which has been active for over a year now. They talked about the action plan developed by the Contact Group. Several events have already […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Margus Tsahkna discussed the Conference on Belarus, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The event will take place on November 9 in Tartu and on November 10 in Tallinn involving representatives of Belarus' democratic forces, civil society, and independent media. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Under Secretary of State
During the meeting with Uzra Zeya, the Under Secretary of the United States for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed preparations for the Strategic Dialogue between Belarus and the United States. Its launch is scheduled for December 2023. This format will help build long-term partnership relations between the United States and democratic […]
September 20, 2023
“There is not a single UN charter that has not been violated by Lukashenka’s regime”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the UN
The Belarusian leader is currently in New York attending the UN General Assembly. She addressed the representatives of the UN on behalf of the Belarusian people. “I ask the United Nations to keep Belarus high on the agenda. I ask you to employ all available tools to secure the release of political prisoners and bring […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Albanian Foreign Minister Igli Hasani
The Belarusian leader thanked the minister for Albania’s support during the country’s presidency in the OSCE and now in the UN Security Council. It was at Albania’s request that the Security Council discussed the issue of nuclear weapons and Russian troops on the territory of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also spoke about the latest initiatives of […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in side event on women’s political leadership during UN General Assembly
The event was organized by the Women Political Leaders Association (WPL) and Apolitical Foundation. The Belarusian leader spoke to representatives of European governments and international non-profit organizations. She emphasized the importance of gender equality for a democratic society: “Equality is not just about numbers. It is not just about appointing women to positions without real […]
September 20, 2023
“New Belarus will need a viable economy. You are the ones laying its foundation”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed participants of 3rd Belarusian Business Forum
The 3rd Belarusian Business Forum is held in Warsaw today, organized by the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA). The Belarusian leader addressed its participants. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It is crucial that we maintain a good reputation for Belarusian business in the world. It should be associated with transparency, integrity, and creativity. These are the values […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “A dictatorship would never achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in a closed meeting of international leaders. The discussion on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly was organized by the leadership of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Leaders and foreign ministers from countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia joined the discussions. During the talks, the Belarusian leader […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusian solidarity has no boundaries”
On the day Belarus' national flag became the official flag of independent Belarus in 1991, the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment and Belarusian activists in Ukraine launched a huge white-red-white flag towards Belarus. This launch sends Belarusians a message that sooner or later, this flag will wave throughout our free Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “A big thank you […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with leaders of Jewish community in New York
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the current state of affairs in Belarus with prominent rabbis, led by Yoshiyahu Pinto. They addressed the thousands of political prisoners, the violent treatment in prisons, the crisis at the border with the European Union, and the Russification of the country driven by Putin's government. “For centuries, Belarus has been a home […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President and Foreign Minister of Guatemala
The Belarusian leader thanked the leadership of Guatemala for supporting the Belarusian and Ukrainian positions in international organizations. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged Guatemala to stop purchasing potassium fertilizers from Lukashenka in circumvention of sanctions and supporting his trade maneuvers. She proposed to help democratic forces in bringing representatives of the regime to account for economic and […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya – on anniversary of Belarus’ adoption of national symbols
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “On September 19, 1991, the Supreme Council approved the name of our state – the Republic of Belarus, as well as its national symbols – the Pahonia coat of arms and the white-red-white flag. Last week, when I spoke at the European Parliament, I said that I dream of seeing the white-red-white flag – the […]
September 19, 2023
“Threat to Belarus’ independence and international response to it”. Side event on Belarus will be held at UN General Assembly in New York
On September 21, a side event on Belarus will be held involving foreign ministers from European countries, organized at the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya by the Delegation of the European Union to the UN. The Belarusian leader will deliver opening remarks to start the event. The event is set to include participation from the Foreign […]
September 19, 2023
“This could be a pivotal moment to close the door to impunity”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on trial against Yury Harauski
Yury Harauski used to be a part of Lukashenka's “death squad” and is now being tried under universal jurisdiction in Switzerland. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Dictators like to use enforced disappearances. More than 30 such disappearances have been documented during Lukashenka's rule. A guilty verdict against Yury Harauski will also be an indictment for Lukashenka. This could […]
September 19, 2023
Kristina Rikhter commented on Swiss trial against Yury Harauski: “This is a landmark milestone for Belarus”
Kristina Rikhter, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor on Legal Affairs, commented on the trial that started in Switzerland against Yury Harauski: “Today, the Swiss court is considering charges against Yury Harauski. In 2019, the former Special Rapid Response Detachment member confessed to his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Belarusian opposition politicians, Yury Zakharanka and Viktar […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Vice President of Microsoft Teresa Hutson
At the UN General Assembly, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Microsoft Corporate Vice President Teresa Hutson. They agreed to continue the corporation’s support program for Belarus, which, among other things, has provided technical assistance and legal advice to hundreds of repressed Belarusian NGOs. With Microsoft's involvement, the Media Viability Accelerator has been launched, which can also […]
September 19, 2023
“I am here to defend Belarusians’ interests”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya arrived at the UN General Assembly
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I came here to defend the interests of Belarusians. I will speak about our political prisoners to convey that urgent action is needed to free them. I will talk about the threat to our independence to highlight that Russia must withdraw its troops and its nuclear weapons from our country. I will speak […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will take part in events of the UN General Assembly in New York
On Monday, September 18, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will take part in a number of events within the framework of the UN General Assembly in New York, which will bring together the leaders of almost all nations. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya is expected to meet with a number of foreign ministers and political leaders, including the President of Guatemala, […]
September 15, 2023
Anatoli Liabedzka proposed to establish an EU-supported foundation to help political prisoners in Belarus
On September 13, the Kalinowski Conference was held in the European Parliament involving representatives from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, and MEPs. During the conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, proposed to the European Parliament and the European Union to establish a foundation to provide financial […]
September 15, 2023
“We chose mutual assistance even when we could barely take care of ourselves”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on International Day of Democracy
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the International Day of Democracy. She called on Belarusians to stay united and continue to help each other while fighting for freedom, despite the regime’s attempts to divide people. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusians keep carefully nurturing the seeds of democracy within themselves every day. When they walk through downtown Minsk with […]
September 15, 2023
European Parliament address, resolution on Belarus, Kalinowski Conference: results of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Strasbourg
On September 12-13, a number of events focused on Belarus were held in the European Parliament. September 12 – Debates were held on the situation in Belarus, where Petras Auštravičius presented a draft resolution. The MEPs stressed the importance of cooperation with Belarus’ democratic forces and civil society, visa support for Belarusians inside the country, […]
September 14, 2023
Belarus Days in the European Parliament
On September 12-13, a series of events focused on Belarus were held in the European Parliament, organized by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the delegation for relations with Belarus led by MEP Juozas Olekas, and the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. On September 12, debates were held on the release of political prisoners, […]
September 14, 2023
Exhibition “Belarusian Martyrology” by artist Xisha Aniolava opened at the European Parliament
The grand opening of the exhibition took place on September 13 in Strasbourg. The exhibition will be on display at the European Parliament until September 15, after which it will travel to other cities. The exhibition is concerned with Belarusian political prisoners. The artist has created more than 600 paintings and will continue her work […]
September 13, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya awarded President of the European Parliament with Cross of Good Neighbourhood
The Cross of Good Neighbourhood is an award from the United Transitional Cabinet presented at the personal discretion of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to foreign or Belarusian citizens who have made an outstanding contribution to building relations between Belarus and other countries, as well as to the cause of democratic transformation in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented the […]
September 13, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the Kalinowski Conference in the European Parliament, 2023
Dear Mr Juozas Olekas, Dear Ms Anna Fotyga, Dear Ms Heidi Hautala, Dear Ms Ewa Kopacz, Dear organizers and participants of the forum, friends and colleagues, My fellow Belarusians, Three years ago, after the police crackdown on peaceful protesters in Minsk, our great friend Zygis Pavilionis organized the first Kalinowski conference in Vilnius. Since then, […]
September 13, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to European Parliament: “We will come to your governments asking to recognize our new passports”
During her speech in the European Parliament, the Belarusian leader presented the project of the new Belarusian passport and spoke about Lukashenka's recent decree. “This decree puts at risk the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people. We need a quick and lasting solution. We are working to start issuing national Belarusian passports. We […]
September 13, 2023
Kalinowski Conference in the European Parliament
Right now, the European Parliament is hosting the Kalinowski Conference, where Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will deliver opening remarks. The conference is organized by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in partnership with the European Dialogue Center. It will focus on the prospects of Belarus' European integration, political prisoners in Belarus, and the Russian threat to the country’s […]
September 13, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech in the European Parliament, 2023
Madam President Metsola, Roberta, Distinguished Members of the European Parliament, When I was here two years ago, I spoke about tyranny as a virus – a virus that will not be contained by borders. And the past two years have shown that the virus of tyranny can mutate into the deadly cancer of war. Unlike […]
September 13, 2023