“The day that divided our family’s life into ‘before’ and ‘after’”
Five years ago, on May 29, 2020, Siarhei Tsikhanouski was detained during a pre-election rally in Hrodna. He has been behind bars ever since. He was sentenced to 19.5 years in prison — for daring to dream of building a country to live in. Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya opens up about the personal story. About a […]
May 29, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the tragedy in Yelsk
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am deeply shocked by the tragedy that occurred in Yelsk. A 14-year-old girl who sought medical help never returned home. The hospital lacked the necessary specialists; they were called in from other cities but tragically, her life could not be saved. This horrifying story highlights the systemic issues in Belarus’ healthcare system. […]
May 27, 2025
Dzianis Kuchynski and Anatoli Liabedzka visited Spain
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, and Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, visited Madrid to hold a series of meetings with government, parliamentary, and analytical circles of the Kingdom of Spain. During the meetings with senior officials from the Spanish government, the discussions focused on the following key issues: Support for political prisoners and […]
May 27, 2025
UN report on the human rights situation in Belarus: Worsening of the ongoing civil and political rights crisis
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus, Nils Muižnieks, has published his first report, covering the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The document provides a systemic analysis that confirms the ongoing civil and political rights crisis in Belarus and documents its deterioration. Key highlights are […]
May 26, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with participants of the Women’s Political Leadership Academy
During her visit to Warsaw, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the participants of an educational program for women who seek to play an active role in shaping the political future of Belarus. During the meeting, the activists shared their personal leadership experiences with Ms. Tsikhanouskaya and asked about the challenges and lessons from her political journey. […]
May 26, 2025
Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, 4th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: May 19–25
CONFERENCE OF THE BELARUSIAN DIASPORA From May 23 to 25, Warsaw hosted the 4th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora. The first working day began with a report presentation by BELPOL. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the event and addressed its participants: “The report we presented today is fundamental work. It analyzes not only the internal policies of […]
May 26, 2025
Searching for solutions to key challenges: Day two of the 4th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora concluded in Warsaw
The main day of the 4th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora has concluded in Warsaw. Participants worked in groups to discuss current problems and new challenges and tried to find ways to address them. The day also featured a panel discussion on fundraising and a Q&A session with Belarusian politicians. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech […]
May 25, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya inaugurated the 4th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora
The 4th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora is taking place in Warsaw. On Friday, the forum began with a series of major side events featuring open discussions, live conversations, and collective analysis of challenges currently facing Belarusians. One of the key moments was the presentation of the BELPOL report on the Lukashenka regime’s involvement in […]
May 24, 2025
“The war has become a lifeline for Lukashenka”
During her visit to Warsaw, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave a speech at Civitas University, a prestigious private Polish institution focused primarily on social sciences. In her address to the audience, she emphasized that today’s war is not only a tragedy for Ukraine but also a tool for the survival of authoritarian regimes in Belarus and Russia. […]
May 23, 2025
“If a ceasefire happens, global attention will return to Belarus”
During her visit to Warsaw, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a debate titled “Security of Democracy” – the second in a series of discussions under the banner “A Safe Poland of the Future” (“Bezpieczna Polska Przyszłości”) organized by the Polish Press Agency (PAP). The event brought together representatives of leading Polish media outlets, including TVP […]
May 23, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office representatives visited Latin America for the first time
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, held a series of meetings with representatives of the government, parliament, and civil society of Argentina. The meetings were supported by the Embassy of Poland, which played a key role in organizing the visit. The visit included negotiations with: Vice Minister of Defense; Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee […]
May 23, 2025
“If we want to build a new, democratic country, we must know the truth”
The 4th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora officially opened in Warsaw today. Friday’s side events include: A roundtable on cultural diplomacy; A discussion on funding for cultural initiatives; A meeting with the People’s Embassies; A youth side event “Bridges Without Borders.” The working day began with a major report presented by BELPOL. The document, presented […]
May 23, 2025
“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus”
Yesterday marked the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. Across various countries and cities around the world, Belarusians held events in support of those unjustly imprisoned. Numerous Western governments, international politicians, and diplomats also joined the events and spoke in support of political prisoners in Belarus. Among those who expressed their support are: […]
May 22, 2025
A Holy Mass for political prisoners in Belarus took place in Rome
A Holy Mass for political prisoners in Belarus was held in Rome, bringing together worshippers and diplomats. The event was initiated by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Embassies of Lithuania and Poland to the Holy See, with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office represented by an official delegation headed by her Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski. Representatives of the Belarusian […]
May 22, 2025
International response to the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus
The International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus sparked widespread support across Europe and beyond. Statements were issued by governments, MPs, diplomats, international organizations, and civil society representatives. European institutions were particularly vocal. The European External Action Service (EEAS) published statements on X and Facebook. Expressions of support also came from the European […]
May 22, 2025
“Watch of Light” in Vilnius: Join Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in a solidarity action for political prisoners
On May 21 at 19:00, the “Watch of Light” – silent vigil – will take place near the Embassy of Belarus in Lithuania (Mindaugo g. 13, Vilnius). We invite everyone in the Lithuanian capital and nearby areas to join and honor the memory of the people who died in prison and show solidarity with those […]
May 21, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Every year, on May 21, my heart aches with pain as we mark the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners. There have always been political prisoners in Belarus. But what is happening now is a large-scale tragedy. Over a thousand people are behind bars today – journalists and teachers, doctors and engineers, students […]
May 21, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the death of political prisoner Valiantsin Shtermer
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: A political prisoner, Valiantsin Shtermer, has died behind bars. And as I try to express in words what I feel inside, nothing seems adequate. How many more deaths must occur before the world finally understands the scale of the tragedy still unfolding in Belarus? Valiantsin was one of those who never should have […]
May 21, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on Ihar Losik’s birthday
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, Ihar Losik is spending his 33rd birthday in complete isolation. More than 800 days have gone since he received a phone call, letter, or visit. A man who once was a voice for thousands of Belarusians now remains in total silence. Precisely because he knew how to speak in a way that […]
May 21, 2025
Visits to Luxembourg, Poland, and Albania, Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners events. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: May 12–18
VISIT TO ALBANIA Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the 6th European Political Community Summit in Tirana – one of the key political platforms in Europe, where leaders from 46 countries and major international organizations gathered to address common challenges. She held a series of meetings, including with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip […]
May 19, 2025
“The easiest thing to do is give in to despair and give up. But we cannot afford to do this”
A rally for the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners took place in Vilnius. May 21 will mark 4 years since political prisoner Vitold Ashurak died behind bars at the hands of the regime. Participants honored the memory of the people who died in prison and expressed solidarity with everyone who remains imprisoned. A symbolic […]
May 18, 2025
“I am proud to represent Belarus and Belarusians here”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the European Political Community Summit
“I am proud to represent Belarus and Belarusians here. All the discussions are about security: how to stop the war, how to help Ukraine, and how to protect democracy in Europe. I stressed: Belarus is part of Europe. And Europe’s security is impossible without a free Belarus. At this historic moment, it is important that […]
May 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meetings during the European Political Community Summit in Albania
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the 6th European Political Community Summit in Tirana. This is one of Europe’s most important political platforms, where the leaders of 47 countries and heads of major international organizations come together to seek common responses to today’s challenges, from democratic security to geopolitical resilience. This year’s event brought together key […]
May 17, 2025
Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus: Join the events on May 18–24
May 21 is the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners. Belarusians around the world are holding various events – film screenings, performances, runs, and vigils – to show support. We’ve compiled a growing list of diaspora-led events – join in if it’s safe for you! 📌 May 18 🇱🇹 Vilnius, 11:00 – “Helping Hand” Rally, […]
May 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Impact Conference in Poznań
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is taking part in the International Impact Conference for the second time. This year, it is taking place in Poznań on May 14–15. Impact brings together thought leaders, politicians, and experts from around the world. Among this year’s speakers are Barack Obama, Francis Fukuyama, Radosław Sikorski, John Kerry, Anne Applebaum, and others. Ms. […]
May 17, 2025
“True equality is only possible in a democracy”. Forum on Belarusian women’s role in the fight for freedom took place in Prague
On May 15, 2025, a landmark event titled “Her Story, Our Future: Belarusian Women Making a Difference” took place at the French Institute in Prague. The forum brought together leaders and activists of the Belarusian democratic community to honor the role of women in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Belarus. The three-hour event […]
May 16, 2025
Leanid Marozau’s statement on the regime’s plans to use extradition agreements for transnational repression
The Lukashenka regime in Belarus has announced its plans to sign bilateral extradition agreements with nine countries: Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Brazil, Cambodia, and Nicaragua, as well as with South Africa, Korea (unspecified which one), and Sri Lanka. The Belarusian Parliament also ratified a similar agreement with Pakistan yesterday. Comment by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Belarus referendum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Thirty years ago, a referendum was held in Belarus that resulted in changing the state symbols, deepening economic integration with Russia, and granting the Russian language equal status with Belarusian. That was the moment Lukashenka chose the direction for the country’s future – and from that point on, the will of the people […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Gunther Krichbaum
During her visit to Luxembourg, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with Germany’s new State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office, Gunther Krichbaum. The meeting served as an opportunity to establish contact with representatives of the new German government and coordinate steps to support democratic change in Belarus. Mr. Krichbaum and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed: Belarus’ position […]
May 15, 2025