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 23, 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 21, 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 […]
July 18, 2025
“The Office remains committed and continues to carry its share of responsibility”
In a new video message, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya explains why the release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski has not created divisions within the democratic forces – but instead became an important result of a collective effort. The democratic leader emphasizes that her Office continues its work until all political prisoners are released and democratic changes come to Belarus. […]
July 18, 2025
Dzianis Kuchynski met with President Trump’s Deputy National Security Advisor Andy Baker
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, is on a working visit to Washington, D.C. At the White House, he was received by the Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump and National Security Advisor to Vice President J.D. Vance, Andy Baker. Mr. Kuchynski handed Mr. Baker a letter addressed to the President of the […]
July 18, 2025
“You don’t need big money or grand gestures to help someone. Just do not pass by when you can support even one person”
Mutual aid has long been a defining feature of Belarusian society. Belarusians quickly raise funds for urgent needs, help children and animals, and donate to initiatives that survive solely thanks to solidarity. This is crucial now, when support is needed almost everywhere. In her new video, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya speaks about the importance of not turning […]
July 17, 2025
Statement by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Legal Advisor Leanid Marozau on the presentation of the Belarusian civil society’s Alternative SDG Report
Belarusian civil society has released its Alternative Report on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation ahead of the presentation of the Belarus regime’s Voluntary National Review at the UN. The 83-page document exposes manipulations hidden behind official statistics and reflects the true situation in the country. Leanid Marozau: “Your work is not just analysis. It is […]
July 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Marcos Perestrello
As part of her visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Marcos Perestrello. The discussion focused on regional security, interparliamentary cooperation, the release of political prisoners, and continued support for Ukraine. “Belarus is an integral part of Europe’s regional security. But I want Belarus to be […]
July 16, 2025
EU Commissioner Kos announced a new support package for Belarusian independent media and human rights defenders during a meeting with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
During her visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Marta Kos. Following the meeting, the Commissioner announced a new EU aid package for Belarus, focused on assisting independent journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society activists During the conversation, the parties also addressed the possibility of further support […]
July 15, 2025
“We are ready to lead our country toward democracy and a European path”
Today, during her working visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech at the Rose-Roth Seminar, organized by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to support partner countries and transitional democracies. This year’s focus is on NATO–EU relations and the resilience of democratic systems. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya reflected on her husband’s recent release after five […]
July 15, 2025
“A celebration of love, friendship, and solidarity – and a place of unity for Belarusians”
This weekend, the fifth Tutaka Festival took place in Borek, Poland, bringing together thousands of Belarusians to discuss urgent community issues, debate the future of Belarus, and, most importantly, rest and support one another. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusians have a tradition, talaka, when we come together to do something as a community. This year’s Tutaka was […]
July 14, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the anniversary of Ales Bialiatski’s arrest
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It’s been four years since Ales Bialiatski was imprisoned. A devoted admirer of Belarusian culture, founder of the Viasna Human Rights Center, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and author of dozens of books – a Belarusian who spent every day of his life seeking ways to help, support, and protect others. A man who […]
July 14, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and took part in the Dubrovnik Forum
During the Dubrovnik Forum, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, at whose invitation he attended the event. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the Prime Minister for supporting initiatives in defense of political prisoners in Belarus and for Croatia’s principled position in international organizations, including the OSCE. She also proposed appointing a special […]
July 14, 2025
“We count on continued releases”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani, on the sidelines of the Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia. They discussed the geopolitical and security situation in the region, as well as the recent releases of political prisoners, including that of Siarhei Tsikhanouski, which was secured thanks to the support of the […]
July 14, 2025
Visit to Croatia, meeting with Lithuania’s Interior Minister, press briefing with ambassadors. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 7–13
VISIT TO CROATIA On July 11–12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a working visit to Croatia to take part in the Dubrovnik Forum. The visit included meetings with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković to discuss support for Belarus’ democratic forces and the EU’s policy vis-a-vis Belarus, as well as with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to discuss […]
July 14, 2025
“The real divide is not between left and right – but between those who believe in freedom and those who endorse tyranny”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Dubrovnik Forum at the invitation of the Croatian government. The forum, organized by the country’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, gathered over 400 government representatives, diplomats, and experts. The speakers included the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio […]
July 11, 2025
“It’s been two years without Ales Pushkin”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It’s been two years without Ales Pushkin. Two years since our country lost a Belarusian, a citizen, an artist who saw Belarus the way it should be – free and dignified. He was tortured to death behind prison walls, and that will forever remain a black mark on the pages of our history. […]
July 11, 2025
“For every freed prisoner, a new hostage is taken”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski held a closed briefing for ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions from over 20 countries. They discussed the situation of political prisoners in Belarus, possible support mechanisms, and strategies for securing their release. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized a grim and persistent trend. Even as some are released, the repression continues – […]
July 10, 2025
Statute of limitations offers no protection from repression in Belarus: Comment from Leanid Marozau
In recent months, Belarus has seen a new wave of politically motivated arrests. The regime is deliberately using the expiration of the statute of limitations for certain criminal code articles as a tool of repression. For many, the statute of limitations for the widely used Article 342 ends this summer. However, this does not eliminate […]
July 10, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Lithuania’s Minister of the Interior Vladislavas Kondratovičius
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with the Minister of the Interior of Lithuania, Vladislavas Kondratovičius. The conversation was conducted in Belarusian – a gesture that highlighted the Lithuanian politician’s goodwill toward the Belarusian people. The Director of the Migration Department, Evelina Gudzinskaitė, and the country’s Ambassador-at-Large for Belarus, Asta Andrijauskienė, also attended the meeting. Mr. Kondratovičius […]
July 09, 2025
“The regime understands that in the eyes of believers, God is always above power”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s reaction to the closure of religious organizations in Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya responds to the reports of religious organizations being shut down in Belarus: “Since the beginning of the year, the regime has required every religious organization in Belarus to undergo re-registration. Recently, I learned that it is now systematically denying recognition to non-Orthodox communities that spoke out against violence and lawlessness in 2020. This […]
July 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Presidents of Lithuania and Germany
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski attended an official reception marking Lithuania’s Statehood Day, meeting with the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, and the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The parties discussed: Continued joint efforts to release political prisoners. Support for Belarusian civil society, activists, and independent media. Ongoing backing of Belarus’ democratic forces from Lithuania […]
July 07, 2025
“Repression is no longer confined to the territory of our country”. Key takeaways from the Belarus side event at the UN Human Rights Council
On July 2, a side event took place in Geneva, focused on the critical human rights situation in Belarus. The meeting, organized by Lithuania and Latvia, featured Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau. Participants emphasized the persecution of political prisoners, journalists, activists, and the increasing use of transnational repression. The following points were […]
July 07, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys. The meeting focused on further joint efforts, particularly in countering propaganda and regime-linked groups that continue operating outside Belarus. Mr. Budrys emphasized the importance of security for Belarus’ democratic forces and stressed that Lithuania will continue to offer protection […]
July 07, 2025
Meeting with Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, UN Human Rights Council side event. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: June 30 – July 6
MEETING WITH THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF LITHUANIA Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski met with Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys. The discussion focused on joint efforts against the regime’s groups and propaganda operating outside Belarus. Lithuania reaffirmed its support and protection for those fleeing persecution. The Tsikhanouskis thanked Lithuania for its principled […]
July 07, 2025
Parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”: Stronger than ever – in the German Bundestag!
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, visited Berlin for talks in the Bundestag. One of the key outcomes of the visit was the revival of the parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”. The group has been relaunched following the recent election, bringing together members of Germany’s three main political factions: […]
July 02, 2025
Monthly recap: June 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The Belarusian Association of Journalists released its annual media monitoring report for 2024. The report is available in Belarusian. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office presented the Lustration Concept for Belarus. The document is available in Belarusian or in Russian. CSO Fusion and partners released the third Digest of Belarus Civil Society Research, covering the years 2021-2024. The […]
July 01, 2025