Legalization of stay, support for businesses, pressure on regime: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President of Cyprus
One of the highlights of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s working visit to Cyprus was the meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia. Since the country is a presidential republic, the leader also serves as the head of government, which means that the issues considered during the meeting were discussed on several political levels. During the dialogue, the […]
April 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am confident that changes in Belarus would come before changes in Russia”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave speech on a briefing for diplomats at Polish embassy in Cyprus: “Your Excellencies, Dear Friends, I want to start with words of gratitude to our dear hosts, the Polish Embassy and Ambassador Marek Szczepanowski for welcoming us here. Poland has played an extraordinary role in supporting democratic transition in our country and […]
April 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Lukashenka regime is like chair on three legs: money, repression, and Russia”
During her working visit to Cyprus, the Belarusian leader held a briefing for diplomats at the Polish Embassy. In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted that the Lukashenka regime is much more vulnerable than it seems. The leader went on to call for supporting the democratic forces’ efforts to release political prisoners at the international level, […]
April 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s first visit to Cyprus: What’s on agenda?
On April 9-10, the Belarusian leader will be on a working visit to Cyprus. The plans for the visit include: ⚪️ Meeting with the President of the country, Nicos Anastasiades; 🔴 Talks with the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Harris Georgiades, and committee members; ⚪️ Dialogue with the Speaker of […]
April 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on potential new grounds for revoking Belarusians’ residence permits in Lithuania
A bill was registered in the Lithuanian Seimas proposing to revoke residence permits from Belarusians who have visited their home country more often than once a month over the period of 12 months. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “At the moment, this is not a new law, but only a bill. We are in touch with members of […]
April 09, 2024
“We need to preserve good name of Belarusian business worldwide”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya opened 3rd Belarusian Business Forum in Vilnius
The Belarusian leader delivered a welcoming speech at the Belarusian Business Forum in Vilnius, organized by the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA) and the Lithuanian Employers’ Confederation. The forum, which is held in Vilnius for the third time and features international experts and representatives of business associations of Lithuania, will focus on: ⚪️ The […]
April 09, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Even in emigration, Belarusians remain creative, proactive, and hardworking”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave speech at the 3rd Belarusian Business Forum in Vilnius: “Dear organizers and participants of the Belarusian Business Forum in Vilnius, Dear friends! It is the third time already that you have gathered to discuss problems and perspectives of relocated Belarusian business in Lithuania, and in the Baltic countries. As the head of […]
April 09, 2024
Agreement with Obama Foundation, youth leaders network. Marharyta Vorykhava on her US trip
Back in March, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, spent several weeks in the United States, combining work and education. In particular, she met with various organizations and government bodies, as well as established connections with local civic initiatives. Here are the highlights of the trip. ⚪️ An agreement was reached […]
April 08, 2024
How can Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office help people inside Belarus? Answered by Franak Viacorka
Some believe that the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya only deals with issues faced by Belarusians abroad. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, explained in an interview how the Office works for the benefit of those inside the country. “Information sharing. This is important for us to do, and the people themselves should too. Every Belarusian […]
April 08, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today’s Belarus is like Gulag”
In an interview with ČT24 (Czechia), the Belarusian leader discussed the mechanisms of pressure on the regime and analyzed how the opinions of Belarusians have changed over the past few years. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also answered questions about political prisoners and emphasized that the regime has failed to break their spirit. 📌 “We know that pressure […]
April 05, 2024
UN strengthened accountability mechanisms for human rights violations in Belarus
During its 55th session, the UN Human Rights Council adopted an important resolution aimed at strengthening accountability mechanisms for human rights violations in Belarus. The document establishes a special group consisting of three independent experts and extends the mandate of the special rapporteur on Belarus for one year. These measures are intended to investigate and […]
April 05, 2024
Kristina Rikhter: “Sometimes I envy colleagues and acquaintances who grew up in Belarusian-speaking families”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Kristina Rikhter, in an interview with the portal “BGmedia”, talked about her way to joining the civil society, challenges in switching to the Belarusian language, and communication in Belarusian within Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. 📌 “At first, it was difficult for me to speak and perceive the Belarusian language. At […]
April 04, 2024
One Contact Platform launched anonymous and free legal consultations for Belarusians
Political repression and lawlessness continue in Belarus. Access to qualified legal assistance is limited, and seeking support entails risks to safety—especially in cases of politically motivated persecution. To address this situation, the United Transitional Cabinet’s platform “One Contact” has launched a hotline with duty lawyers. Several times a month, Belarusians will have the opportunity to […]
April 03, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Crown Prince of Norway
The Belarusian leader, joined by her Сhief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, former political prisoner and activist, Anastasiya Bulybenka, and journalist and analyst, Hanna Liubakova, met with Haakon, the Crown Prince of Norway. The discussion during the meeting focused on the situation with political prisoners in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya informed the prince about the appalling conditions in […]
April 03, 2024
“Last nail in coffin for small businesses”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Economic Reforms Advisor explains how regime systematically crushes entrepreneurs
The House of Representatives in Belarus adopted the bill “On Amending Laws on Entrepreneurial Activities”. If the document is approved by the Council of the Republic and signed by Lukashenka, many entrepreneurs will have to either re-register or cease operations. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Economic Reforms, Aleś Alachnovič, emphasizes that the regime has been consistently […]
April 03, 2024
Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya helped deliver drones to Kastus Kalinouski Regiment in Ukraine
A delegation of volunteers from Finland visited the command staff of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment and handed over drones from the Belarusian diaspora. Assistance in delivering the equipment was organized by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the United Transitional Cabinet. The Head of the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Ukraine, Henadzi Manko, coordinated the […]
April 02, 2024
“We must remain human”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on criticism and what she would change in 2020
In an interview with Belsat, the Belarusian leader shared her thoughts on criticism directed towards her, as well as discussed whether she would change something if she were to go back to 2020. “I saw that many international leaders expressed words of support. This is not support for the leadership of a country that attacks […]
April 02, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “People should have the opportunity to choose their own leaders, both for their small village or region”
The Belarusian leader gave an interview to Belsat, in which she discusses decentralization of power and local elections in Belarus. In the conversation, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasizes: Belarusians will have to learn self-governance. “We need to transition from a dictatorial regime to a government where there is a separation of powers between the president, parliament, and […]
April 01, 2024
Kryścina Šyjanok: “Sometimes it takes more than a month to explain issues facing Belarusian community”
In an interview with the Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Director of the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic talked about the efforts to resolve the problems faced by Belarusians, explained how the recently launched mission works, and highlighted its capabilities. 📌 “Sometimes we naively expect the European officials […]
April 01, 2024
“We will endure, persevere, and pass through this dark valley”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wished Belarusians a Happy Easter
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen!.. Today we greet each other with these words, and they fill us with hope. And everyone hopes for different things. So what do Belarusians hope for? “To be called humans”, as the classic said. To start families, raise children, build our homes, and have a dignified […]
March 31, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with parents of Belarusian schoolchildren in Lithuania
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with a group of parents of Belarusian schoolchildren who have campaigned for more Belarusian language instruction available in lower grades in Vilnius. The meeting was also attended by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, and Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava. During the conversation, they discussed the […]
March 29, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I cannot give up, I just have no right to. I will stand with my people as long as I can endure”
In an interview with the Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya talked about her attitude towards the title of an “accidental president” and the desire to resign she sometimes feels. 📌 When people call you an “accidental president”, do you agree? “I agree with that. Fate did not prepare me for this. […]
March 29, 2024
8 “hot” questions about new Belarusian passport
The new Belarusian passport is one of the democratic forces’ most ambitious projects, which has attracted broad popular interest. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Deputy for International Affairs at the United Transitional Cabinet, Valery Kavaleuski, gave an interview to Nasha Niva, answering the most pressing inquiries related to the progress on the document and its readiness. When will […]
March 28, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We must build strong structures and strengthen networks of people inside the country and abroad to bolster our cooperation”
During her visit to Prague, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty office and gave an interview, in which, among other things, she discussed the democratic forces’ plans for the 2025 presidential election in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Whatever the campaign, it will be a Lukashenka re-election campaign, completely free of competition. But we must […]
March 28, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
The leader of Belarus’ democratic forces spoke before the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, urging the politicians to address the issues related to Belarus, and substantiated her argument with a series of emotional statements. In Belarus, no one is asking people what they want, how they want to live, […]
March 28, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We can’t make the change in isolation from the rest of Europe”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave speech to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the CoE: “Dear President Marc Cools, Dear Vice-President Bernd Vöhringer, Dear Congress, Thank you for the warm welcome today. I feel that I am among friends here. Friends who share the same values, and same vision of a peaceful and democratic Europe. […]
March 27, 2024
Sweden simplified legalization of stay for Belarusians
Since Sweden’s laws allow for obtaining a residence permit even in cases where the national passport is absent or cannot be obtained, the Swedish migration service has released a legal position, taking into account the situation in Belarus. The position explains two major points. First, Sweden will not require valid documents and a Belarusian passport […]
March 27, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Czech Minister for European Affairs
Martin Dvořák and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed support for Belarusian democratic forces in their campaign for a European perspective for Belarus and a sanctions policy aimed at isolating the regime while keeping the mobility of Belarusians. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s discussion with the Minister for European Affairs, Martin Dvořák, also addressed Czechia’s visa policy. The Belarusian leader called […]
March 27, 2024
An open call for participation at the Conversation Festival LAMPA in Latvia
The organization FreeBelarus, the Belarusian women’s NGO “Māra” and the Office of the Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will participate in the summer Conversation Festival LAMPA in Cēsis (Latvia). Discussions, games, morning exercise, and other activities dedicated to the topic of democratic Belarus will take place in the “Bad Neighbors Tent” on July 5 and 6. In order […]
March 27, 2024