Restitution for victims of regime: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office presents draft Concept
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has partnered with lawyers, human rights defenders, and non-governmental organizations to develop the draft Concept, which will regulate restitution for individuals who have suffered from the regime. The Concept is aimed to restore justice for those who have faced repression and human rights violations during Lukashenka's rule since July 20, 1994. Restitution […]
September 25, 2023
More than 20 Western European countries supported democratic Belarus at UN Human Rights Council hearing
Kristina Rikhter, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Issues, attended the 54th session of the Human Rights Council, which discussed the report on the situation in Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath. During the hearing, it was emphasized that since the publication of the report, the situation in Belarus […]
September 22, 2023
Belarusians will retain their right to vote in local elections in Estonia
Anatoli Liabedzka, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, announced that Estonia has removed from the agenda the proposal to deprive Belarusians living in the country of the right to vote in local elections: “During consultations with Marko Mihkelson, the Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu, a legal appraisal was […]
September 22, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Executive Director of International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the United Transitional Cabinet Representative for Foreign Affairs, Valery Kavaleuski, met with Melissa Parke to discuss the situation regarding the placement of Russian nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that the threat of nuclear weapons in Belarus goes beyond the country’s national borders. “Belarusians stand firmly against the placement of […]
September 22, 2023
Marharyta Vorykhava’s statement on the regime’s attempts to keep young professionals from leaving Belarus
Currently, students in Belarus have to work for a minimum of 2 years (or 5 in some cases) at a place assigned to them by the university if their studies were subsidized from the state budget. Yesterday, Lukashenka suggested extending this practice to other students as well, even if they have paid tuition fees. Sviatlana […]
September 22, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at “The threat to the independence of Belarus and the international response” UN General Assembly side event, 2023
Minister Thórdís Gylfadóttir, Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister Miroslav Wlachovsky, Mr. Tobias Lindner, Mr. Enrique Mora, Dear friends, First, let me thank all of your countries present in this room for being here and standing with Belarusians. Today, Belarus passes through a humanitarian, political and security crisis. And there is no better place to talk about it […]
September 22, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusians must participate in the conversation about their country’s future”
The Belarusian leader spoke at the side event “Threat to Belarus' independence and international response to it“ on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. She called for an international strategy to preserve the independence of Belarus and more determined resistance to dictatorships. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The more the world recognizes and supports […]
September 22, 2023
UN Human Rights Council holds hearing on Belarus
Today, as part of the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in Belarus will be heard. The report was initially published in the spring, and today its updated version will be presented. Kristina Rikhter, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, […]
September 22, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new Foreign Minister of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš during UN General Assembly
During the brief meeting, Mr. Kariņš and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the situation at the Latvian-Belarusian border and the need for decisive action by the West towards Belarus. The Belarusian leader emphasized that she expects support for democratic Belarus from the new Latvian government.
September 21, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen
Ms. Valtonen, who recently took over as Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Belarusian leader discussed Lukashenka's “election” campaign announced for 2024. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya explained that these elections will be a farce and emphasized that the international community should not recognize them. The discussion also focused on issues related to support for Belarusian NGOs […]
September 21, 2023
PACE discussed Lukashenka regime’s persecution of Belarusians for opposition to war
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, met with Thórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir, a member of the Icelandic Parliament and PACE General Rapporteur, to discuss the persecution of Belarusians for their opposition to the war in Ukraine. “The subject of Ms. Ævarsdóttir’s report is disturbing because it touches on the conflict […]
September 21, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy
The Belarusian leader met with the leading politicians of Italy – Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya talked about the progress in preparing the new Belarusian passport and urged Italy to support this initiative. During the meeting, the Belarusian leader proposed that Italy appoint a special envoy for […]
September 21, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
On the margins of the UN General Assembly, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. They last met in Ottawa a year ago. The Belarusian leader thanked Canada for its support and asked the Prime Minister to raise the issue of Belarus at the G7 summit. “Canada has actively supported democratic […]
September 21, 2023
New Belarusian passports and simplification of migration for Belarusians: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with European Commissioner for Home Affairs
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the United Transitional Cabinet Representative for Foreign Affairs, Valery Kavaleuski, met with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. The Belarusian leader thanked her for the expert assistance in developing the new Belarusian passport and bringing it in line with international standards. Valery Kavaleuski discussed further plans, such as issuing samples, […]
September 21, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Secretary General of Council of Europe
The meeting took place at the UN headquarters, where the General Assembly is being held. Marija Pejčinović Burić and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the work of the CoE Contact Group on Belarus, which has been active for over a year now. They talked about the action plan developed by the Contact Group. Several events have already […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Margus Tsahkna discussed the Conference on Belarus, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The event will take place on November 9 in Tartu and on November 10 in Tallinn involving representatives of Belarus' democratic forces, civil society, and independent media. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Under Secretary of State
During the meeting with Uzra Zeya, the Under Secretary of the United States for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed preparations for the Strategic Dialogue between Belarus and the United States. Its launch is scheduled for December 2023. This format will help build long-term partnership relations between the United States and democratic […]
September 20, 2023
“There is not a single UN charter that has not been violated by Lukashenka’s regime”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the UN
The Belarusian leader is currently in New York attending the UN General Assembly. She addressed the representatives of the UN on behalf of the Belarusian people. “I ask the United Nations to keep Belarus high on the agenda. I ask you to employ all available tools to secure the release of political prisoners and bring […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Albanian Foreign Minister Igli Hasani
The Belarusian leader thanked the minister for Albania’s support during the country’s presidency in the OSCE and now in the UN Security Council. It was at Albania’s request that the Security Council discussed the issue of nuclear weapons and Russian troops on the territory of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also spoke about the latest initiatives of […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in side event on women’s political leadership during UN General Assembly
The event was organized by the Women Political Leaders Association (WPL) and Apolitical Foundation. The Belarusian leader spoke to representatives of European governments and international non-profit organizations. She emphasized the importance of gender equality for a democratic society: “Equality is not just about numbers. It is not just about appointing women to positions without real […]
September 20, 2023
“New Belarus will need a viable economy. You are the ones laying its foundation”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed participants of 3rd Belarusian Business Forum
The 3rd Belarusian Business Forum is held in Warsaw today, organized by the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA). The Belarusian leader addressed its participants. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It is crucial that we maintain a good reputation for Belarusian business in the world. It should be associated with transparency, integrity, and creativity. These are the values […]
September 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “A dictatorship would never achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in a closed meeting of international leaders. The discussion on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly was organized by the leadership of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Leaders and foreign ministers from countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia joined the discussions. During the talks, the Belarusian leader […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusian solidarity has no boundaries”
On the day Belarus' national flag became the official flag of independent Belarus in 1991, the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment and Belarusian activists in Ukraine launched a huge white-red-white flag towards Belarus. This launch sends Belarusians a message that sooner or later, this flag will wave throughout our free Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “A big thank you […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with leaders of Jewish community in New York
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the current state of affairs in Belarus with prominent rabbis, led by Yoshiyahu Pinto. They addressed the thousands of political prisoners, the violent treatment in prisons, the crisis at the border with the European Union, and the Russification of the country driven by Putin's government. “For centuries, Belarus has been a home […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President and Foreign Minister of Guatemala
The Belarusian leader thanked the leadership of Guatemala for supporting the Belarusian and Ukrainian positions in international organizations. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged Guatemala to stop purchasing potassium fertilizers from Lukashenka in circumvention of sanctions and supporting his trade maneuvers. She proposed to help democratic forces in bringing representatives of the regime to account for economic and […]
September 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya – on anniversary of Belarus’ adoption of national symbols
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “On September 19, 1991, the Supreme Council approved the name of our state – the Republic of Belarus, as well as its national symbols – the Pahonia coat of arms and the white-red-white flag. Last week, when I spoke at the European Parliament, I said that I dream of seeing the white-red-white flag – the […]
September 19, 2023
“Threat to Belarus’ independence and international response to it”. Side event on Belarus will be held at UN General Assembly in New York
On September 21, a side event on Belarus will be held involving foreign ministers from European countries, organized at the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya by the Delegation of the European Union to the UN. The Belarusian leader will deliver opening remarks to start the event. The event is set to include participation from the Foreign […]
September 19, 2023
“This could be a pivotal moment to close the door to impunity”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on trial against Yury Harauski
Yury Harauski used to be a part of Lukashenka's “death squad” and is now being tried under universal jurisdiction in Switzerland. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Dictators like to use enforced disappearances. More than 30 such disappearances have been documented during Lukashenka's rule. A guilty verdict against Yury Harauski will also be an indictment for Lukashenka. This could […]
September 19, 2023
Kristina Rikhter commented on Swiss trial against Yury Harauski: “This is a landmark milestone for Belarus”
Kristina Rikhter, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor on Legal Affairs, commented on the trial that started in Switzerland against Yury Harauski: “Today, the Swiss court is considering charges against Yury Harauski. In 2019, the former Special Rapid Response Detachment member confessed to his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Belarusian opposition politicians, Yury Zakharanka and Viktar […]
September 19, 2023