September 28, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Chicago Council on Global Affairs
During her working visit to the United States, the Belarusian leader spoke at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, an independent nonprofit organization focusing on international relations, global politics, and economics. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya highlighted the following points: 📌 Belarus is Putin’s laboratory of repression. The country is a testing ground for various methods of violence […]
September 27, 2024
“When you fight against tyranny, you have no right to time-outs and personal comfort”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at CEPA Forum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the CEPA Forum celebrations. The CEPA Forum is a large-scale event focusing on issues of security, democracy, and stability faced by the transatlantic alliance. A key part of the program is the gala evening, where the CEPA Forum Leadership Awards are presented. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Thank you, Mr. Lukas, for your kind […]
September 27, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Deputy Secretary of State in Washington
During the high-level week of the UN General Assembly, the US Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, officially welcomed the Belarusian leader in Washington. During the meeting, the parties discussed: 📌 Ways to achieve the release of political prisoners in Belarus, including those on the humanitarian list; 📌 Support for the repressed, civil society, and […]
September 27, 2024
“I accept this prize not for myself but for all those heroes who continue their fight”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received Lantos Human Rights Prize
During her visit to the United States, the Belarusian leader received the Lantos Human Rights Prize, which acknowledges people’s contributions to fighting human rights violations across the world. The 2024 award went to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Evgenia Kara-Murza for their courage and determination in resisting dictatorships in the post-Soviet space. Previous recipients include such prominent […]
September 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya became Visiting Fellow at University of Pennsylvania
During her visit to the United States, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the University of Pennsylvania, where she delivered a lecture and participated in a discussion. The university is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the US, being part of the renowned Ivy League. Among its most famous alumni are Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and […]
September 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Perry World House in Philadelphia
During her working visit to the United States, the Belarusian leader joined the conversation “Standing Up to a Dictator” at the Perry World House. She called for solidarity with the people fighting for democracy worldwide. Here is Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s speech: “Dear Justin, thank you for your kind words of introduction. Dear Ms. Amy Gadsden, Dear […]
September 26, 2024
“We, Belarusians, have many allies around the world”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on UN General Assembly outcomes
The Belarusian leader has been on a working visit to the United States for a week, with her primary focus being participation in the UN General Assembly. During the event, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the heads and foreign ministers of more than 40 countries, leaders of international organizations, and UN representatives. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya recorded a […]
September 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Only democratically elected leadership in Belarus can guarantee security for Ukraine and our other neighbors”
The UN General Assembly commenced in New York on September 23. The Belarusian leader, who is on a working visit to the United States, attended the event, where the sessions, among other issues, focused on the war in Ukraine, peace negotiations, and regional security. In the new video, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shares the position she conveyed […]
September 25, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Sometimes condemning it is not enough – taking action is what matters”
During her visit to the United States, the Belarusian leader joined a panel discussion at the annual Concordia Summit, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Together with the former Croatian President, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed Belarus’ role in regional security, emphasizing that the country should be seen as part of the […]
September 25, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Every Belarusian is a role model for me”
The Belarusian leader participated in the annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Together with Hillary Clinton and Yulia Navalnaya, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed why all democratic tools must be used to support those fighting against dictatorships. 📌 “Not knowing who your next president will be is a luxury. Under […]
September 25, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Atlantic Council’s Global Future Forum
The Belarusian leader spoke at the Atlantic Council’s Global Future Forum, an annual gathering of leaders and experts from various countries, dedicated to discussing and analyzing global challenges. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the global nature of the struggle for freedom and democracy, calling for solidarity with the people fighting against dictatorial regimes. Sviatlana […]
September 25, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on Ales Bialiatski’s birthday
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today is the birthday of human rights defender, head of the Viasna Center, and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski. The regime threw him behind bars simply because he spoke the truth, documented the repressions, and helped the people affected by them. Thanks to his work, the world knew the truth about the situation in […]
September 24, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack
During the UN General Assembly, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack. They discussed the regime’s persecution of Belarusians abroad and the risks faced by those returning to their homeland. Additionally, they discussed: 📎 Holding the regime’s officials accountable for their involvement in repression and human rights violations; […]
September 24, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Josep Borrell in New York
During the UN General Assembly, the Belarusian leader met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, to discuss the situation of political prisoners in Belarus, including those kept incommunicado. She also raised the issue of support for independent media and civil society. The parties also discussed: 📎 Restrictions on […]
September 23, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at UN Human Rights Council 57th session: “Belarusian prisons are death traps”
The UN Human Rights Council held an interactive dialogue on resolution 55/27 regarding the interim report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath. The Chair of the Independent Expert Group on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus, Karinna […]
September 23, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “This is not just a crisis – it’s a national catastrophe – and a situation where the UN must intervene”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commenced her visit to the United States by participating in a debate on political prisoners on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, organized by the EU Delegation together with Estonia, Lithuania, Spain, Germany, and France. Diplomats and representatives from more than 30 countries attended the debate, with the foreign ministers of Lithuania […]
September 23, 2024
Release of political prisoners, aid to flood victims, launch of International Humanitarian Fund. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for September 16-22
LAUNCH OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN FUND Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, together with Belarusian human rights defenders, presented the International Humanitarian Fund to support the repressed. The fund, already supported by Sweden and Norway (with contributions totaling €1.5 million), will assist political prisoners and their families, with a focus on those inside the country. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that the […]
September 21, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will visit the United States
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will visit the United States from September 22 to 27. During her visit, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya will participate in the high-level week of the 79th UN General Assembly, meeting with global leaders, representatives of international organizations, and the Belarusian diaspora in the US. The discussions will focus primarily on international support for Belarus’ democratic […]
September 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with refugees from Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the shelter in Vilnius run by the Humanitarian Emergency Service. She was given a tour of the facility, where former political prisoners, their families, and Belarusian activists are staying. The leader met with the shelter residents, who, in an open and warm conversation, told their personal stories of facing persecution in Belarus […]
September 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met USAID Deputy Administrator and attended launch of USAID Belarus office
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met USAID Deputy Administrator and attended launch of USAID Belarus office Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Vilnius with the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) Deputy Administrator, Ambassador Erin Elizabeth McKee. During the meeting, the parties discussed US support for independent Belarusian media, human rights defenders, cultural projects, pro-democracy businesses, and educational programs. […]
September 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Democracy can’t do without knowledge, and true knowledge requires freedom”
The Belarusian leader delivered a speech at the opening of the international conference “Imprisoned Rationality, Philosophy in Prison”, organized in solidarity with politically imprisoned Belarusian philosopher Uladzimir Matskevich. In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the importance of knowledge and freedom of thought in a democratic society and emphasized the regime’s pressure on intellectuals in Belarus. […]
September 19, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “For four years, the regime has tried hard to silence Belarusians”
In an interview with the Dozhd TV channel, the Belarusian leader shared her vision of the conditions required for fair elections in Belarus and emphasized the importance of strengthening national identity. Here are the key points from the interview: 📌 “Lukashenka wants to stay in power indefinitely. He is afraid of passing it on because […]
September 19, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “People affected by repression need help here and now, not someday in the future”
Today in Vilnius, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented the International Humanitarian Fund to support political prisoners in Belarus. The event was held as a press conference, with representatives of Belarusian humanitarian support organizations participating, including Volha Zazulinskaya (A Country to Live in Foundation), Andrei Stryzhak (BYSOL Foundation), and Alexey Leonchik (ByHelp Foundation). Here’s Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s speech: “Dear […]
September 19, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on anniversary of Belarus’ official name and national symbols adoption
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “33 years ago, the Supreme Council adopted the Republic of Belarus as the official name of our country. Along with the country’s name, it also established the Pahonia coat of arms and the white-red-white flag as the state symbols, embodying Belarusians’ long path toward freedom and independence, pursuit of justice, and right to […]
September 17, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on 1500 days of 2020 protests
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks exactly 1500 days since we realized just how many of us there are. So many people who are ready to fight for the freedom and future of our Belarus. Sometimes, it feels like these 1500 days were only about pain, suffering, and loss. And indeed, it has been an incredibly tough […]
September 17, 2024
“When democratic changes come and there won’t be any fear to speak openly, Belarusians will take their independence back”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Warsaw and delivered an address during a panel on Belarus and the Baltic region. The Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, took part in the event alongside the Belarusian leader. Here’s Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech: “Dear Excellencies, friends Dear friends, I want to start with […]
September 17, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusians show solidarity and self-organization in helping flood victims”
The Belarusian democratic forces and diaspora groups are actively assisting the victims of the flood that has affected several countries in Central Europe, including Poland and the Czech Republic. In this difficult time, Belarusians are showing solidarity and support both within their community and for the affected residents. The United Transitional Cabinet has organized a […]
September 17, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “No matter how long you’ve been away – for the regime, there is no statute of limitations”
The regime continues detaining people returning to Belarus. According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, at least 55 such people have been detained in 2024 so far, with more than 200 cases recorded last year. The Belarusian leader comments on the arrests of Belarusians returning home from abroad: “The regime is trying to lure us […]
September 16, 2024
Belarusian-registered vehicles, support for civil society, free education for Belarusians. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Latvia’s Special Representative
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, her Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and Representative for Estonia and Latvia, Vitaly Malchanau, met with Latvia’s newly-appointed Special Representative to the Belarusian democratic community, Gunta Pastore. The meeting focused on the restrictions recently introduced in Latvia against Belarusian-registered vehicles, whose owners cannot return to Belarus due to political persecution. In addition, the parties […]