Monthly recap: March 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The Legal Initiative compiled a structured collection of resources that can substantiate the dangers of staying in Belarus when applying for international protection, asylum, or political refuge in other countries. Belarusian Students’ Association prepared its annual report on the state of Belarusian academia in 2024. The Belarusian Council for Culture created a database of international […]
April 01, 2025
Freedom Day: Celebrations worldwide
On March 25, Belarusians around the world celebrated 107 years since the proclamation of the Belarusian Democratic Republic (BNR). Events, rallies, and gatherings took place in various countries to unite Belarusians, honor the legacy of the BNR, and show solidarity. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has compiled a list of the most prominent events. 22-23.03.25: Prague: Commemoration of […]
March 31, 2025
Freedom Day, Office of Belarus’ Democratic Forces in Tallinn, discussion at the Lithuanian Seimas. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 24–30
FREEDOM DAY March 25 marked Freedom Day, Belarus’ key independence holiday. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians with a message, while rallies and events took place around the world, including in Prague, Białystok, Warsaw, Salzburg, Vienna, Brussels, Edmonton, Toronto, Limassol, Tallinn, Paris, Cologne, Munich, Batumi, Tbilisi, Tel Aviv, Riga, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Vilnius, The Hague, Gdańsk, Kraków, Poznań, […]
March 31, 2025
Anatoli Liabedzka: “Work is underway on a bill that will radically change the status of Belarusian volunteers and veterans in Ukraine”
Work is underway in Ukraine on a bill aimed at addressing key issues for Belarusian volunteers – from citizenship to financial support. In the video below, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, shares the outcomes of a roundtable discussion organized in partnership with the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council. The […]
March 31, 2025
Human rights defenders submitted evidence of the Lukashenka regime’s crimes against humanity to the International Criminal Court
It was announced today that a group of Belarusian human rights organizations has compiled and submitted evidence of crimes against humanity committed by the regime in Belarus to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, explains how this can help Belarusians: “Submitting this report to the Office of the […]
March 27, 2025
Tatiana Shchyttsova’s comment on the mass closure of university programs in Belarus
According to a statement from Belarus’ Minister of Education, in just the past two years, 57 university programs have been discontinued, and starting from the new academic year, universities will have to shut all programs that are outside their focus field. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, comments on these developments. The […]
March 27, 2025
Freedom Day: Statements of solidarity with Belarusians from international politicians and diplomats
Freedom Day, beyond its historical significance, has become a symbol of international solidarity with Belarusians who continue their struggle for a democratic Belarus. On March 25, words of support were voiced for those who persist in their fight, remain unbroken in prisons, live in exile, or continue their resistance inside the country. Politicians, diplomats, democratic […]
March 27, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the regime’s March 25 “inauguration”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Yesterday, while Belarusians around the world celebrated Freedom Day, Lukashenka held his so-called ‘inauguration’ – an empty, meaningless spectacle in which a lonely man swore another oath to himself. This was not an act of public recognition or a legitimate transfer of power – it was a desperate, staged performance by the regime, […]
March 27, 2025
“We have a common goal – a free Belarus. And we are moving towards it, step by step. Together, we will overcome everything”
All day long, Vilnius and many other cities around the world have been hosting events dedicated to Freedom Day. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the raising of the white-red-white flag, addressed the plenary session of the Seimas of Lithuania, awarded outstanding individuals, and attended the opening of the exhibition “Europe That Unites Us”. In the […]
March 26, 2025
“These remarkable individuals make Belarus stronger and bring it closer to freedom”
On March 25, Freedom Day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented awards at her Office in Vilnius to outstanding individuals who contribute to a free and democratic Belarus. This event highlighted the importance of supporting activists and human rights principles, serving as an inspiration to all those fighting for freedom and justice. The medal “For Distinguished Work for […]
March 26, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Lithuanian Seimas on Belarus Freedom Day
Today, on Freedom Day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Seimas of Lithuania during its plenary session. She honored the long history of friendship between Belarusians and Lithuanians and thanked Lithuania for supporting repressed Belarusians, assisting Belarusian NGOs in exile, and maintaining a clear stance against the regime. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that Belarusians continue their struggle for […]
March 26, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched the Freedom Day celebrations in Vilnius
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched the Freedom Day celebrations in Vilnius with a ceremonial raising of the white-red-white flag near the Seimas of Lithuania. This ceremony is part of the 107th anniversary of the declaration of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Alongside Ms. Tsikhanouskaya, the event was attended by the First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania, […]
March 25, 2025
“No matter how much they try to silence us, intimidate us, or break our will, we stand firm and proudly say: Long Live Belarus!”
Today, March 25, marks the 107th anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic’s declaration of independence. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addresses Belarusians on Freedom Day: “We all know and cherish in our hearts the date March 25 – the day the Belarusian Democratic Republic declared independence. The day Belarus stepped out of the shadow of an imperial occupier. […]
March 25, 2025
Summary of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Estonia
On March 24, during a short visit to Estonia, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya officially inaugurated the Office of the Democratic Forces of Belarus in Tallinn. Vitaly Malchanau was appointed as the Head of the Mission. This marks the fifth representation of Belarus’ democratic forces abroad – following Vilnius, Warsaw, Brussels, and Prague. The Estonian government, parliament, and […]
March 24, 2025
Office of the Democratic Forces of Belarus launched in Tallinn
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Tallinn on a working trip. She took part in the official opening of the Office of the Democratic Forces of Belarus, which will be led by Vitaly Malchanau, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative in Estonia and Latvia. The event featured speeches by Estonian and Belarusian politicians, as well as an award ceremony honoring Marko […]
March 24, 2025
March in Warsaw, visits to Brussels and London, meeting at the Lithuanian Government Office. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 17–23
FREEDOM DAY On March 25, Belarusians will celebrate Freedom Day, one of the most important national holidays. A key event ahead of the celebration was the march in Warsaw, held on Sunday. Another march in Vilnius is scheduled for Tuesday. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya invited Belarusians to join the celebrations – an opportunity to honor their history, […]
March 24, 2025
“It’s been 1,000 days – an endless time in captivity. That is how long our volunteers have been held as Russian prisoners”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “On June 26, 2022, Belarusian fighters of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment were ambushed near Lysychansk. Their commander, Ivan ‘Brest’ Marchuk, was killed. Several soldiers went missing, and two were taken prisoner by Russian forces. It’s been 1,000 days – an endless time in captivity. That is how long our volunteers, Yan Dziurbeika and […]
March 24, 2025
Consultations took place in London between the UK government and Belarus’ democratic forces
On March 21, the first-ever Strategic Consultations between the UK government and the democratic forces of Belarus took place in London. The consultations were launched by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The UK delegation was led by the Director of the FCDO Eastern Europe and Central Asia Department, Chris Allan, while the […]
March 24, 2025
Strategic Consultations started between the UK and Belarus’ democratic forces
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with the UK Minister of State for Europe, Stephen Doughty, to discuss deepening cooperation between the United Kingdom and the democratic forces of Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya expressed her gratitude to the UK for its unwavering support and welcomed the launch of Strategic Consultations between the UK government and Belarus’ democratic […]
March 21, 2025
UK MPs established a group “For Freedom and Democracy in Belarus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, are currently on a working visit to London. They held a meeting in the UK Parliament with Shadow Minister Wendy Morton and Labour representative Lord George Foulkes, where they announced an important development. An All-Party Parliamentary Group “For Freedom and Democracy in […]
March 21, 2025
“No decree can appoint or abolish the people’s will”
Today, on March 20, Belarus’ Central Election Commission announced that Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s “inauguration” will take place on March 25. This day has symbolized a free and independent Belarus for 107 years, ever since March 25, 1918, when the Belarusian Democratic Republic was declared an independent state. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya issues a statement on the regime’s decision […]
March 21, 2025
“When journalists are imprisoned for their work, society loses its voice”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I always say that the media is the ‘fourth estate’. Yes, they can be critical – and sometimes that’s uncomfortable. They expose our shortcomings and failures – which can be frustrating. But it is journalists who prevent those in power from stagnating. Thanks to them, we correct mistakes, hear what truly matters, and […]
March 21, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with former political prisoner Antanina Kanavalava
Antanina Kanavalava was a trusted representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya during the 2020 presidential election. She was arrested for her civic stance and political activism on September 6, 2020. A month later, the regime also imprisoned her husband, Siarhei Yarashevich. In 2022, Antanina was added to the regime’s list of individuals “involved in terrorist activities”, further […]
March 21, 2025
UN Human Rights Council discussed the human rights situation in Belarus at its 58th session
On March 19, the UN Human Rights Council highlighted the situation in Belarus as a matter requiring its attention yet again. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Belarus presented its latest report, emphasizing the following findings: The mission identified new evidence of crimes against humanity. Violence against protesters after the 2020 election was a continuation […]
March 20, 2025
“Turning people’s stories into a propaganda tool is yet another proof that the regime has no regard for human lives”
Stanislau Brykin, a citizen of Belarus, took his own life in a refugee shelter in Lithuania on March 4, 2025. He had fled Belarus with his family in 2022 after facing political persecution for participating in protests and a strike at Beltelecom. While his wife, Yuliya Brykina-Barysava, and their children later returned to Belarus, he […]
March 19, 2025
“RFE/RL is essential for Belarusians to resist propaganda, Russification, and Russia’s creeping occupation”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians regarding the situation around RFE/RL, emphasizing the crucial role its Belarusian service has played for Belarusian society. She stressed that shutting down RFE/RL would deal a serious blow to independent information and the democratic movement, calling for support for free media. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s full address is available in Belarusian. “We have […]
March 19, 2025
“When a government does not respect its own people, it will not respect its neighbors either”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a working visit to Brussels, where she took part in a meeting of EU ministers for European affairs. She called for active efforts to resolve Belarus’ political crisis. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya proposed 3 practical steps: Isolating the regime. She called on the EU to maintain pressure on the Lukashenka regime as long […]
March 18, 2025
Freedom Day: Join the celebrations worldwide
On March 25, Belarusians around the world will celebrate 107 years since the proclamation of the Belarusian Democratic Republic (BNR). Events, rallies, and gatherings will take place in various countries to unite Belarusians, honor the legacy of the BNR, and show solidarity. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has compiled a list of events so you can join […]
March 18, 2025
Addressing issues faced by Belarusians: Dzianis Kuchynski met with Lithuania’s Working Group on Combating Xenophobia
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, met with the leadership of Lithuania’s newly established Working Group on Combating Xenophobia, chaired by the Prime Minister’s Advisor, Aleksandras Radčenko. The meeting addressed key concerns of the Belarusian community in Lithuania, including: Legalization of residence and legal documents: residence permits, political asylum, and issues with Belarusian passports; Support […]
March 18, 2025