Support for students and professors, preparations for reforms. Tatiana Shchyttsova discussed 2023 work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Education Team
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, discusses the work of the Education Team of the Office in 2023 in a new video. Ms. Shchyttsova names the release of the Roadmap for the Democratization of Education in Belarus one of the most significant events of the year. It is an action plan that […]
December 28, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shared her vision for 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave an interview to Radio Svaboda about her expectations from 2024: “I don’t expect it to be easy. I don’t expect some miracle to happen or a messiah to appear and solve all the problems for us. It is our duty. You know, I don’t like the word “wait” at all. Waiting and […]
December 27, 2023
New Belarusian passport, separation from Russians, support for political prisoners. Franak Viacorka summarized work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Senior Advisor, Franak Viacorka, discusses the work of democratic forces in 2023 in a new video. He names the key achievements of this year, including the formation of a transparent organizational structure of the democratic forces, the launch of a rehabilitation system for the repressed and political prisoners, prevention of a visa ban […]
December 27, 2023
Lithuanian Seimas supported three-year residence permits for Belarusians
On the penultimate day of its work in 2023, the Lithuanian Seimas adopted amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners. Some amendments will affect the status of Belarusians as the Lithuanian MPs supported the Interior Ministry’s proposal to grant residence permits for a period of three years to some citizens of Belarus. […]
December 26, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya summarized her 2023 political meetings
In an interview with Radio Svaboda (RFE/RL Belarusian service), the Belarusian leader shared her views on which international visits and meetings she considers were significant in 2023: “I would highlight my meeting with Maia Sandu and the strengthening of relations with Moldova. For the first time, a CIS country invited me and our democratic forces […]
December 26, 2023
48 visits, 250 meetings, relations with Moldova and Ukraine. Dzianis Kuchynski shared results of international work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office
Dzianis Kuchynski, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, speaks about the work of the Foreign Policy Department of the Office in 2023 in a new video. The team made significant efforts to keep Belarus on the global agenda and elevate cooperation with other countries to a new level. In 2023, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had 48 official visits, including […]
December 26, 2023
Dzianis Kuchynski spoke on impressions from Belarus–USA Strategic Dialogue
In a new video, Dzianis Kuchynski, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, speaks on the work of the Foreign Policy Department of the Office. Today’s video focuses on the most unconventional impressions from the Belarus–USA Strategic Dialogue – an unprecedented political event in the recent history of Belarus. Among other things, Mr. Kuchynski says that US Under […]
December 25, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wished Belarusians a Merry Christmas
Many Belarusians celebrate Christmas on December 25. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wished them all a Merry Christmas in a video address: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “You know, today, throughout the world, there is a tradition of sharing a piece of bread, passing it from hand to hand. In this way, people express support and care, share warmth and love. […]
December 24, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We need to make sure political prisoners are a problem for Lukashenka”
The Belarusian leader addressed pressing questions regarding political prisoners, including whether negotiations are needed with the illegitimate authorities, why pressure must be exerted on the regime, and what Ms. Tsikhanouskaya is ready to do to release people from prisons: “I am ready to work from morning till late evening to draw attention to the issue. […]
December 23, 2023
What inspires Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to continue the struggle?
In an interview with Euroradio, the Belarusian leader shared what motivates her to continue the struggle for a free Belarus: “I am inspired by Belarusians who continue the fight. I know that despite the crackdown, Belarusians inside the country are forming communities and engaging in acts of sabotage. You might not see this in the […]
December 22, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Lukashenka will face punishment under international law, and no immunity will protect him”
Today, the Lukashenka regime adopted amendments to the Law on the President of the Republic of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “In the last couple of days, people have been discussing Lukashenka’s health problems, claiming he has a hoarse voice or is losing it. I am not aware of what the doctors say about his condition. But […]
December 22, 2023
Why Strategic Dialogue is important: Dzianis Kuchynski summarized international work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office
Dzianis Kuchynski, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, discussed the work of the Foreign Policy Department of the Office. In the video, he talks about one of the most important political events of 2023 – the Belarus–USA Strategic Dialogue, which took place in early December. In particular, he mentioned that as a result of the Strategic Dialogue, […]
December 22, 2023
Roadmap for Democratization of Higher Education: key points
This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office Education Team presented the Roadmap for the Democratization of Higher Education in Belarus. It was drafted by a group of education experts and professionals at the initiative of the Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and in collaboration with the United Transitional Cabinet. Read below to find answers to the main questions about […]
December 21, 2023
Aleś Alachnovič commented on Belarus’ increasing dependence on Russia and ways to address it
Aleś Alachnovič, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Economic Reforms and the Vice-President of Association of Belarusian Businesses Abroad (ABBA), shared insights on Belarus’ increasing dependence on Russia in a Euroradio interview. He also outlined the approach to repaying the loans taken by the current regime in future New Belarus. “Our dependence on Russia is critical. Essentially, […]
December 21, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office co-organized “Reforming Education System Governance in Belarus: Exploring Opportunities and Challenges” Conference
As part of the Personnel Reserve program and with the support of the International Republican Institute, the conference “Reforming Education System Governance in Belarus: Exploring Opportunities and Challenges” took place in Vilnius. The program was initiated by the United Transitional Cabinet. It aimed to train personnel for democratic transformations in Belarus. The Conference featured the […]
December 19, 2023
Alliance of parliamentary groups “For a Democratic Belarus”: Why it matters for Belarusians
One of the key outcomes of interparliamentary cooperation in 2023 for Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office was the formation of the Alliance of parliamentary groups “For a Democratic Belarus”. Anatoli Liabedzka, Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, explained the significance of the Alliance for Belarusians. 📌 Membership composition The Alliance currently brings […]
December 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office Education Team presented Roadmap for Democratization of Higher Education in Belarus
Contemporary Belarusian education suffers from numerous issues, including ineffective governance models, flawed content of educational programs, and technological lag. Limited international academic cooperation and decline in the professional level of educators hinder the Belarusian education system from being on-trend. Recognizing the need for reforms, the Education Team of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, in collaboration with the […]
December 19, 2023
Alexander Dabravolski presented summary of Internal Policy Division work for 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Senior Political Advisor, Alexander Dabravolski, reported on the work done in 2023 by the Internal Policy Division of the Office. Among other things, the Office developed the New Belarus Transition Strategy and presented it for public discussion. This document was developed in collaboration with the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, and numerous […]
December 18, 2023
New Belarus Transition Strategy: Why is it relevant?
A change of power in authoritarian regimes does not always lead to democracy. As historical practices in Haiti, Syria, North Korea, and several other countries have shown, a dictatorship is often replaced by another dictatorship. This is why Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, together with the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, and numerous experts, has developed […]
December 15, 2023
Scholarships and academic exchanges for Belarusians: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Ghent University in Belgium
At the end of her working visit to Belgium, the Belarusian leader visited Ghent University, where she held a meeting with the university leadership and delivered a lecture. Dozens of Belarusians are currently studying at the university, which is the alma mater of two Nobel laureates. During the discussion with the Vice-Rector, Mieke Van Herreweghe, […]
December 15, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Lithuanians: “I am grateful for your support in difficult times”
After talks with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Lithuanian Seimas, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the press. In an interview, the leader thanked the Lithuanian people for their support and noted that Lithuania has been showing an example of principled and consistent struggle for freedom: “I am grateful to the Lithuanian people for supporting us […]
December 14, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke before Lithuanian Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee on issues faced by Belarusians
Today, at the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Lithuanian Seimas held a hearing on the legal status of Belarusians in Lithuania. The Chairman of the Committee, Žygimantas Pavilionis, and his deputies, as well as members of the group “For a Democratic Belarus”, participated in the hearings. The Belarusian side […]
December 14, 2023
European Parliament demanded immediate release of political prisoners and compensation for damages
On December 6, the Cross-Party Forum “8+100” took place in the European Parliament, bringing together representatives of Belarusian and European political parties. Following the forum, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation of political prisoners in Belarus. The resolution demands the regime to immediately release Mikalai Statkevich, who has not been heard from […]
December 14, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “They can ‘ban’ books but they can never prohibit us from taking pride in our culture and history”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Lately, the regime has been attacking the works of “disloyal” contemporary authors and “inconvenient” classics. In November, the regime labeled collections of Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkyevich’s works as extremist. Earlier, the novel “Kalasy pad Siarpom Tvaim” by Uladzimir Karatkevich was removed from the school curriculum. Books by Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich and writers like Uladzimir […]
December 14, 2023
Strengthening ties with EU, releasing political prisoners, enhancing Belarusians’ mobility: second meeting of Belarus–EU Consultative Group
Today, the second meeting of the Belarus–EU Consultative Group is taking place in Brussels. Belarus is represented by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, Viktar Babaryka’s HQ, Press Club Belarus, RADA Youth Council, and Belarusian human rights defenders. The dialogue with democratic forces is led by representatives of the […]
December 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, United Transitional Cabinet and Coordination Council presented New Belarus Transition Strategy for public discussion
Once the regime collapses, Belarusians will have a chance to establish democracy. How can they seize the opportunity, avoid legal chaos, and prevent attempts at revenge from the remnants of the dictatorship? This requires a premeditated plan. This is why Belarusian political bodies, civil society organizations, and think-tanks in the fields of economics, politics, strategic […]
December 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the meeting of the Consultative Group, Brussels, 2023
“Dear Michael Siebert, Dear members of the Consultative Group, Мае дарагія беларускія сябры, I am glad to be here with you today for the second meeting of the EU-Belarus Consultative Group. I really feel that I am among friends in this room. Friends who share the same values, and see Belarus as a part of […]
December 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström in Belgium
During her visit to Brussels, the Belarusian leader met with the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström, and Sweden’s Special Envoy for Relations with Democratic Belarus, Christina Johannesson. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed her hope for such an envoy at the EU level. The leader raised the issue of the legalization of stay for Belarusians abroad […]
December 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Donald Tusk on being elected Prime Minister
The Belarusian leader congratulated Donald Tusk on his appointment as the Prime Minister of Poland. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Heartfelt congratulations to Donald Tusk on becoming the Prime Minister of Poland. I am grateful to you for all the support you have provided to Belarus over the years. And I hope for close cooperation that will accelerate […]
December 11, 2023