Political prisoners were deported from Belarus to Lithuania without passports
Yesterday, we all witnessed how the Lukashenka regime hastily pushed the released political prisoners to the border. 52 people were released as a result of the US diplomatic efforts. However, initial accounts revealed that prior to deportation, several individuals had their passports confiscated. According to available information, KGB officers seized passports immediately before departure and […]
September 12, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the release of 52 political prisoners
“I am so happy for each and every person who won freedom today. But our fight is not over — many others are still behind bars. We must remember: people are being forced out of Belarus, while everyone should have the right to choose — to stay or to leave. These releases are the result […]
September 11, 2025
“Belarus is at the very center of the crisis and can become part of the solution”
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, alongside Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, took part in the discussion “Beyond Uncertainty: Belarus and Europe’s Security” during a conference at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University. The meeting focused on the future of Belarus and its role in European security. In her remarks, Sviatlana addressed key […]
September 11, 2025
“We remain in contact with the Polish government to keep Belarusians informed of further developments at the Poland–Belarus border”
On September 9, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the decision to close the Poland–Belarus border as of September 12. The Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration has published a regulation temporarily suspending traffic through all border crossings with Belarus, except for those specifically designated. The legal basis is the Law “On the Protection […]
September 11, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with NGOs aiding political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting in Vilnius today with NGOs providing assistance to political prisoners. Volha Zazulinskaya, Representative for Social Policy of the United Transitional Cabinet, chaired the meeting. Participants included representatives of the Association of Political Prisoners of Belarus, the Viasna Human Rights Center, Dapamoga, A Country to Live in Foundation, the Lithuanian Red […]
September 11, 2025
Siarhei Tsikhanouski and Dzianis Kuchynski discussed the release of political prisoners in Belarus at the White House
Siarhei Tsikhanouski and Dzianis Kuchynski, Diplomatic Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, met at the White House today with Charles McLaughlin, Special Assistant to President Trump and Senior Director for European Affairs. The meeting focused on the next steps toward securing the release of all political prisoners in Belarus and finding mechanisms to stop the ongoing repression. […]
September 11, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the ambassadors of the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8)
On September 11, a meeting took place in Vilnius between Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the ambassadors and special envoys of the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8). The meeting was organized at the initiative of the Finnish Embassy. Participants included: Jaana Tekenberg, Finland; Grete Sillasen, Denmark; Patrik Svensson, Sweden; Harald Aspelund, Iceland; Gunta Pastore, Latvia; Asta Andrijauskienė, […]
September 11, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service. The meeting was attended by the Director for Neighborhood East, Adrian Kiraly; the EEAS Head of the Georgia, South Caucasus, and East Unit, David Cullen; the Deputy Head of the Division for Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, Aymeric Dupont; […]
September 10, 2025
Belarus’ security in focus at a side event in Prague ahead of the Zapad-2025 military exercises
Yesterday, on Belarusian Military Glory Day, a side event titled “Orsha’s Legacy: Response of Democratic Belarus to Zapad-2025” took place in Prague as part of the Czech Eastern Policy Conference 2025. The event brought together representatives of the Belarusian democratic community and Czech experts to discuss the stationing of Russian troops in Belarus, the rehearsal […]
September 09, 2025
Visit to Slovenia, meeting with Austria’s Foreign Minister, the Second Congress on Political Prisoners. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: September 1–7
VISIT TO SLOVENIA Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia. On the sidelines of the event, she met with the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar; the Foreign Minister of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon; the EU Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib; the Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Olexandr Mischenko; as well as […]
September 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the death of political prisoner Andrei Padniabenny
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “A political prisoner, Andrei Padniabenny, has died behind bars. This is the ninth death of a political prisoner in custody that we know of. It is hard to find words to express all the pain, anger, and grief. Andrei was a loving son, a caring father, and a hardworking man – but the […]
September 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the Day of Belarusian Military Glory
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “More than five hundred years ago, the Battle of Orsha took place – one of the key moments in the history of Belarusians, when our ancestors defended their land from the invaders of the Muscovite state. History repeats itself. Even centuries later, we yet again have to go through similar conflicts, defending the […]
September 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the OSCE Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus
On September 5, 2025, in Vienna, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed representatives of OSCE member states at the meeting of the Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus. The event brought together more than 30 representatives of participating states, including ambassadors and heads of delegations from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. The discussion lasted over […]
September 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Vienna: Austrian MPs signed a joint statement calling for the release of Maryia Kalesnikava and all political prisoners
Representatives of four Austrian parliamentary parties – Petra Bayr (SPÖ), Andreas Minnich (ÖVP), Veit Dengler (NEOS), and Meri Disoski (GRÜNE) – signed a joint statement during a meeting with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya as part of her visit to Vienna. During the meeting, the parties also discussed: Ways to secure the release of political prisoners; Continued support […]
September 05, 2025
“We, Belarusians, have always stood on the European side – on the side of freedom, tolerance, law, and human rights”
On the first day of her visit to Austria, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the event “Role of Belarus in the European Security: From Involvement in the War and Hybrid Warfare to the Democratic Solutions”. More than 50 participants joined the discussion dedicated to strengthening security in the region. In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed […]
September 05, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the Bled Strategic Forum: Political prisoners, peace, European alternative for Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia. It was also attended by the President of the European Council, António Costa; the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas; dozens of presidents, prime ministers, and ministers from different countries; as well as […]
September 05, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Vienna with Austria’s Foreign Minister, Beate Meinl-Reisinger. The discussion focused on the situation in Belarus, regional security, and support for Belarusian civil society. Release of political prisoners and international accountability Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that freeing political prisoners remains a top priority for the democratic forces, alongside documenting the regime’s crimes. Austria […]
September 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Austria’s Federal Minister for Europe Claudia Plakolm
At the Federal Chancellery in Vienna, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Austria’s Minister for Europe, Claudia Plakolm. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Austria for its principled stance within the bodies of the European Union. She noted that the recent releases of political prisoners were the result of joint efforts by the US and the EU. However, she stressed […]
September 04, 2025
Monthly recap: August 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The Belarusian Association of Journalists launched the project “Without Us, You Wouldn’t Have Known…”, highlighting the facts, events, and problems in Belarus that would have remained invisible without independent media and journalists. The Belarusian Council for Culture published a strategy paper outlining its action plan until 2027, welcoming contributions from all who wish to be […]
September 03, 2025
Speech before EU foreign ministers, visit to Denmark, Second Congress on Political Prisoners. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: August 25–31
VISIT TO DENMARK On August 28–29, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Denmark to address the Gymnich meeting of EU foreign ministers, as well as representatives of the United Kingdom, Norway, and Iceland. In her speech, she stressed: The release of political prisoners is possible thanks to the joint efforts of the EU and the US; More than […]
September 02, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Bled Strategic Forum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is in Slovenia, where she participated in a one-on-one discussion at the Bled Strategic Forum. She addressed topics ranging from the transition of power to Europe’s support for Belarus. On Belarusians “Belarusians are talented and hardworking people. Disciplined, capable, and freedom-loving. We have everything needed for Belarus to become a successful and prosperous […]
September 02, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Knowledge Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addresses Belarusian parents and children on September 1, when the school year starts in Belarus. The start of the school year is always about the future – both personal and shared. It is the day when parents, children, and teachers look ahead with hope and expectation. In her address, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke about […]
September 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed EU foreign ministers during a Gymnich meeting in Copenhagen
On August 29, an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in the Gymnich format took place in Copenhagen. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke to the heads of foreign ministries from all 27 EU member states, as well as the UK, Norway, and Iceland. The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and the EU High Representative for Foreign […]
September 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Merezhko
In Copenhagen, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with Oleksandr Merezhko. On the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine, she expressed condolences over the deaths of civilians caused by Russian missile strikes. The parties discussed possible cooperation between the democratic forces of Belarus and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, including through the parliamentary group […]
September 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with Kaja Kallas and Lars Løkke Rasmussen
In Copenhagen, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The discussions focused on key challenges facing Belarus and the wider region, including: Release of political prisoners. More than 1,300 people remain behind bars. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya […]
September 01, 2025
Supporting political prisoners and collecting evidence of the regime’s crimes: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with DIGNITY in Denmark
On August 29, during her visit to Copenhagen, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of DIGNITY, which plays a leading role in the International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB). Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the IAPB for gathering evidence of Lukashenka’s crimes, emphasizing its importance for the future, when people are released and will need comprehensive support. She […]
September 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Danish Minister for Education and Science Christina Egelund
During her visit to Copenhagen, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Denmark’s Minister for Education and Science, Christina Egelund, to discuss possible cooperation in education and scientific research. Pavel Barkouski of the United Transitional Cabinet and Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha of the Belarusian diaspora in Denmark also joined the meeting. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Denmark for its support of the […]
September 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Legal Advisor Leanid Marozau took part in a pre-session of the 50th UN Human Rights Council meeting
An event took place in Geneva today ahead of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Belarus at the UN Human Rights Council. The meeting allowed member states to hear directly from the human rights community and gain a clearer picture of the human rights situation in Belarus. The pre-session featured presentations by Belarusian and international […]
September 01, 2025
Political prisoners, war in Ukraine, the regime’s crimes, and support for Belarus: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a Politiken event in Denmark
On August 28, during a visit to Denmark, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski spoke at an event focused on Belarus. The event was co-organized by Politiken. The audience of about 150 people included representatives of civil society, diplomats from various countries, journalists, activists, and others interested in the situation in Belarus. Key topics of the […]
September 01, 2025