August 18, 2026
Expired Belarusian passports: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office works to secure solutions for Belarusians in exile
The International Department of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office continues its systematic work on the issue of expired Belarusian passports. Diplomatic Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski, explains how negotiations with governments of different countries are conducted and what results have already been achieved. The work is being carried out in two directions: European-wide. Thanks to Luxembourg […]
August 17, 2026
Dzianis Kuchynski met with Adam Hałaciński and Grzegorz Poznański at Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, held a meeting with Poland’s Foreign Minister’s Plenipotentiary for Cooperation with the Democratic Forces of Belarus, Adam Hałaciński, and Deputy Director of the Eastern Department at Poland’s MFA, Grzegorz Poznański. The meeting focused on key areas of strategic cooperation between Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya’s Office, […]
August 17, 2026
Sweden updated its policy on Belarusian passports, easing procedures for Belarusians in exile
The Migration Agency of Sweden has updated its legal position regarding Belarusian citizens’ inability to renew their national passport. It now recognizes that Belarusians returning to Belarus to renew their passports may face politically motivated persecution, including detention. This decision is the result of long-term, systematic work by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the People’s […]
August 17, 2026
“1968–1989, 2020–?: A Czech Lesson for Belarus”: Prague discussion on the struggle for freedom
On August 10, Prague hosted the discussion “1968–1989, 2020–?: A Czech Lesson for Belarus”, marking the sixth anniversary of the protests against dictatorship and violence in Belarus. The event brought together around 100 people, including Czech representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs, and civil society. The event was organized by the Office of Belarus […]
August 14, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with ambassadors and diplomats working on Belarus
On the sixth anniversary of the 2020 protests, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with special envoys, ambassadors, and diplomats working on Belarus. The meeting was attended by Adam Hałaciński (Poland), Grete Sillasen (Denmark), Cody Thompson (US), Bjørn Erik Brustad (Norway), Patrik Svensson (Sweden), Gunta Pastore (Latvia), Karmen Laus (Estonia), Jaana Teckenberg (Finland), Asta Andrijauskienė (Lithuania), and Iaroslav […]
August 11, 2026
New Belarus Conference, 2020 protests anniversary. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: August 3–9
NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE The annual New Belarus Conference took place in Warsaw on August 7–9, bringing together around 300 participants, including ordinary Belarusians, representatives of the democratic forces, politicians, and international partners. On August 7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at three side events. On August 8, she delivered a welcome speech, participated in panel discussions, and […]
August 11, 2026
International solidarity statements in support of Belarusians on the sixth anniversary of the 2020 protests
On August 9, Belarusians around the world held rallies and events to mark the day when peaceful protests against the dictatorship began six years ago. On this occasion, heads of state, government ministers, and leading politicians from around the world expressed their support for the Belarusian people. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has compiled a list of […]
August 11, 2026
New Belarus Conference: Thank you to everyone involved!
At the closing of the New Belarus Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed everyone who contributed to preparing and holding the event: participants, speakers, the organizing team, volunteers, media, the democratic forces, civil society, and international partners. She offered special thanks to her Ukrainian allies who took part in the discussion on Ukraine, foreign guests and partners […]
August 11, 2026
New Belarus Conference 2026: Key outcomes
The New Belarus Conference concluded in Warsaw on August 9. Over two days, participants discussed the strategy of the democratic forces, Belarus–Ukraine cooperation, Belarus’s European future, support for Belarusians inside and outside the country, culture, education, the economy, transnational repression, and preparations for future change. The discussions brought together political leaders, including those who were […]
August 11, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s closing speech at the New Belarus Conference 2026
Dear friends, The two days of the conference have flown by. I was very happy to share them with you. And now it is time to reflect on the key outcomes. Over these two days, we heard from political leaders — people who were behind bars only recently. We heard from representatives of the media […]
August 10, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the Dignity Day rally in Warsaw
On August 9, Belarusians marked Dignity Day in Warsaw, commemorating the 2020 protests in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the event, along with representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet and the Coordination Council, Ukraine’s Ambassador-at-Large (MFA) Iaroslav Chornogor, Polish public figure and journalist Adam Michnik, representatives of civil society, and the Belarusian diaspora in Warsaw. Addressing […]
August 10, 2026
August 9 rally in Vilnius
A rally marking the anniversary of the 2020 protests in Belarus was held in Vilnius. Belarusians and friends of Belarus gathered in Cathedral Square to remember the events of 2020 and remind everyone that Belarus and its people continue to choose freedom. After the rally, participants marched through the city center to the Embassy of […]
August 09, 2026
Women’s Breakfast with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took place in Warsaw
On August 9, ahead of Day Two of the New Belarus Conference, a Women’s Breakfast with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was held in Warsaw. The informal gathering brought together more than 50 Belarusian women and international partners, creating a space to strengthen community and solidarity and share experiences. The event brought together more than 50 participants from […]
August 09, 2026
New Belarus Conference: Day One summary
Day One of the New Belarus Conference took place in Warsaw on August 8. It brought together representatives of Belarus’s democratic forces, civil society, media, initiatives, diaspora, and international partners. Throughout the day, participants: discussed how the democratic forces can make use of new opportunities and maintain political momentum; discussed cooperation with Ukraine and Belarusians’ […]
August 09, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address to Belarusians on the sixth anniversary of the 2020 protests
On the sixth anniversary of the 2020 protests, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addresses Belarusians with personal reflections on how we have changed over these years and what we all need to preserve within ourselves today. Watch the full speech on YouTube or read its full text below. “Six years is a very long time. In those years, […]
August 09, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the anniversary of the 2020 protests in Belarus
Six years ago, on August 9, 2020, Belarusians voted for democratic change, against brutal dictatorship and tyranny. Hundreds of thousands went to the streets to defend their choice. “We are a nation, not slaves” – Belarusians chanted across the country. We were so close to winning our country and our freedom. And the regime was […]
August 09, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s welcome speech at the New Belarus Conference 2026
Dear Belarusians, Welcome to the New Belarus Conference! Six years ago, something happened that changed our country — and each of us. That August, August 2020, still resonates with pain in me. Pain mixed with inspiration. On this day, six years ago, when I was leaving home to vote, as always, there were many officers […]
August 09, 2026
New Belarus Conference: Side events
Day One of the New Belarus Conference took place today in Warsaw, with a series of side events ahead of the main program, which begins tomorrow. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in three discussions throughout the day. Belarus’s Role in the Aggression Against Ukraine: Holding Lukashenka’s Senior Leadership Accountable Participants discussed the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in […]
August 04, 2026
Dzianis Kuchynski discussed issues faced by Belarusians with Lithuania’s Migration Department Director Indrė Gasparė
A meeting between the Director of the Vilnius Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski, and the Director of the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, Indrė Gasparė, took place at the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The parties discussed the current migration situation, humanitarian support for Belarusians fleeing repression, […]
August 04, 2026
Meeting with the Davoli Association of Political Prisoners, speech at the EDS Summer University, Sovereignty Declaration anniversary. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 27 – August 2
MEETING WITH THE DAVOLI ASSOCIATION OF FORMER BELARUSIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS On July 30, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with members of the DaVoli Association of Former Belarusian Political Prisoners in Warsaw. The parties discussed the challenges faced by former political prisoners and their families, as well as possible support, rehabilitation, and the protection of the rights of […]
August 04, 2026
July 2026: Highlights from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office
Parliamentary engagement was a major focus in July 2026. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office prioritized strengthening support for Belarus in international assemblies, launching new “For a Democratic Belarus” groups in parliaments, and advancing resolutions in support of Belarusians. At the same time, work continued on international accountability for the regime’s repression, expanding educational opportunities, and supporting civil […]
August 03, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Mikita Melkaziorau Cup opening
On August 1, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the opening of the Mikita Melkaziorau Cup. She joined the tournament’s participants and guests to honor the journalist’s memory with a minute of silence before symbolically kicking off the competition with the tournament’s first kick. The opening ceremony was also attended by Pavel Latushka, Aliaksandr Ivulin, and representatives of […]
July 31, 2026
Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya spoke at the European Democrat Students’ Summer University 2026
On July 31, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the European Democrat Students’ Summer University 2026. The event brought together young leaders, politicians, and experts from across Europe, including representatives of European youth political organizations, policy experts, and Polish politicians. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech, stressing that the regime has remained in power only because of Russia’s […]
July 30, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the DaVoli Association of Former Belarusian Political Prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the DaVoli Association of Former Belarusian Political Prisoners in Warsaw. The parties discussed the challenges faced by former political prisoners and their families, as well as possible support, rehabilitation, and the protection of the rights of people who have endured political repression. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya answered the participants’ questions. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I […]
July 30, 2026
Anatoli Liabedzka met with Moldovan Parliament President Igor Grosu: “For a Democratic Belarus” Parliamentary Group to be officially launched in September
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation and Constitutional Reform, Anatoli Liabedzka, is on a visit to Chișinău. Ahead of the plenary session of the Parliament of Moldova, he met with President Igor Grosu. Igor Grosu conveyed his warmest regards to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, with whom he has long-standing professional and personal ties. The key outcome of […]
July 29, 2026
Pavel Tereshkovich’s address on the 36th anniversary of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Belarus
Pavel Tereshkovich’s: “On July 27, 1990, 229 members of the Supreme Soviet of the Belarusian SSR approved the Declaration of State Sovereignty. It became a major milestone in the chain of dramatic events that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and opened the way for our country’s independence. The USSR, established in 1922, […]
July 28, 2026
Overview of Belarusian education and science, new application cycle for the Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Scholarship. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 20–27
STATEMENT ON THE MAZYR OIL REFINERY BEING SANCTIONED Following the inclusion of the Mazyr Oil Refinery in the EU’s 21st sanctions package, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement on why this was a consequence of the regime’s actions: “Until 2022, Ukraine was the refinery’s largest and most profitable market. Belarusian gasoline and diesel accounted for up […]
July 27, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the anniversary of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Belarus
Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya: “On July 27, 1990, Belarus took a decisive step toward independence with the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty. To some, this may sound like just another historical date from a textbook. But behind it were people who wanted Belarus to finally determine its own future. They wanted our country to have […]
July 27, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the inclusion of the Mazyr Oil Refinery in the EU’s 21st sanctions package
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The Mazyr Oil Refinery is a clear and painful example of how Lukashenka’s mistakes are destroying our economy and the well-being of Belarusians. Until 2022, Ukraine was the refinery’s largest and most profitable market. Belarusian gasoline and diesel accounted for up to 50% of the Ukrainian market. But Belarus’s involvement in the war […]