July 21, 2026
Aspen Security Forum, TUTAKA Festival, New Belarus Conference program announcement. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 13–19
PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE ASPEN SECURITY FORUM On July 16, during the Aspen Security Forum, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the panel discussion “Continental Drift? Europe in Transition” alongside the Secretary General of the European External Action Service, Belén Martínez Carbonell; the Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade of Belgium, Theo Francken; and the Minister […]
July 21, 2026
Belarusian education and science under repression, militarization, and exile: Key trends and policy recommendations. April–June 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Pavel Tereshkovich, has prepared a policy paper for independent media, the leadership of the Belarusian democratic forces, political partners, and international donors. Executive Summary From April to June 2026, education and science in Belarus continued to develop under conditions of intensifying political control and repression. Key trends included […]
July 21, 2026
Applications open for the Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Scholarship at Austria’s Management Center Innsbruck
Belarusians are invited to apply for the Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Scholarship at the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI). The new intake is for students beginning their studies in fall 2027. The program is offered under the patronage of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and is intended for individuals engaged in activities that promote freedom, democracy, good governance, and the rule […]
July 16, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a panel discussion at the Aspen Security Forum
During the Aspen Security Forum, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the panel discussion “Continental Drift? Europe in Transition”. The Aspen Security Forum is one of the leading international platforms on national security and foreign policy, bringing together political leaders, government officials, representatives of international organisations, experts, and journalists each year to discuss key global challenges […]
July 16, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the regime’s attempts to erase Belarusian culture
“Belarusian culture has always been with us, sometimes in the most ordinary things. You notice traditional embroidery on someone’s shirt or hear a song you’ve known since childhood. In conversation, a word slips out that only Belarusians understand. That is how Belarusian culture lives around every corner. It is in Kupalle, in our favourite books, […]
July 15, 2026
Belarusian CSOs discussed support for political prisoners, civil society, and diaspora issues with the Austrian Foreign Ministry
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and representatives of Belarusian CSOs met with the Director for Eastern Europe at Austria’s Ministry for European and International Affairs, Thomas Mühlmann. The Belarusian organizations represented at the meeting included: the Belarusian Helsinki Committee; the Viasna Human Rights Centre; the Belarusian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society […]
July 14, 2026
Ukraine Takes the Initiative, Lukashenka Under Pressure, Tsikhanouskaya Meets European Leaders
BELARUS UPDATE June-July 2026 Recent developments in Ukraine have created a new dynamic for Belarus. Under pressure from Kyiv, Lukashenka has been forced to soften his rhetoric. The Belarusian democratic forces have launched a campaign to prevent Belarus from being dragged deeper into the war. The EU considers new sanctions against Minsk, while the United […]
July 14, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya supported the civic initiative to raise the historic white-red-white flag at the Grunwald Battlefield
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has sent letters to the Marshal of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Marcin Kuchciński, and the management of the Grunwald Battle Museum, asking them to consider raising the historic white-red-white Belarusian flag at the Grunwald Battlefield. In doing so, she expressed support for the civic initiative launched by Belarusians that has already gathered more than […]
July 14, 2026
Overview of developments in education and science: June 2026
June 2026 was marked by a further escalation of pressure on Belarus’s academic community, the continued militarization of school education, and new attempts to isolate Belarusian applicants from international education. At the same time, outside Belarus, work continued on the concept for reforming the country’s education system, international academic cooperation expanded, and expert discussions took […]
July 14, 2026
Czech Senate’s resolution in support of democratic Belarus, support for Belarusians in exile, 3rd Women’s Political Leadership Academy announcement. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: July 6–12
INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION FOR A BELARUSIAN CITIZEN IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC A Belarusian citizen has been granted international protection in the Czech Republic after more than two years of waiting, an initial rejection by the Ministry of the Interior, and a successful court appeal. The court ultimately recognized the applicant’s right to international protection, and he […]
July 10, 2026
Czech Senate adopted a resolution in support of democratic Belarus
On July 9, the Senate of the Czech Parliament adopted a resolution in support of Belarus’s democratic forces and approved a call for the Czech Government to continue supporting Belarusians. The resolution was introduced by the Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Security, Pavel Fischer. The resolution received near-unanimous support: 48 […]
July 08, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Ukrainian delegation to the OSCE PA
During the summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in The Hague, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with members of the Ukrainian delegation to the Assembly. She expressed her support for the Ukrainian people. The delegation is headed by Mykyta Poturaiev, who also serves as the Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Chair of the […]
July 08, 2026
Declaration on the Establishment of the Parliamentary Group “For a Democratic Belarus” in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
July 8, 2026, The Hague We, the undersigned members of national parliamentary delegations to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Guided by the principles and commitments enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, and other OSCE documents; Emphasizing the importance of democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights […]
July 08, 2026
OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Belarusian delegation
In The Hague, on the sidelines of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the OSCE Secretary General, Roberto Montella, and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President, Pere Joan Pons. She was joined by a delegation of the democratic forces of Belarus, including representatives of her Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, […]
July 07, 2026
Visit to The Hague, “For a Democratic Belarus” Interparliamentary Group at the OSCE PA. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: June 29 – July 5
“FOR A DEMOCRATIC BELARUS” GROUP IN THE OSCE PA On July 4, the Interparliamentary Group “For a Democratic Belarus” was officially launched within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe during its session in The Hague, bringing together 35 MPs from 17 countries. The group will coordinate support for the […]
July 06, 2026
A Belarusian citizen received international protection in the Czech Republic with the support of the Prague Office of Belarus Democratic Forces
A Belarusian citizen, identified as A., has been granted international protection (asylum) in the Czech Republic after more than two years of waiting, a rejection by the Ministry of the Interior, and a successful court appeal. Throughout the process, he received support from the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic, Czech lawyers, […]
July 06, 2026
“Through our parliamentary work, we are keeping Belarus on the international agenda”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is in The Hague, where, on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly session, the Interparliamentary Group “For a Democratic Belarus” was officially launched. The initiative brings together 35 MPs from 17 countries: Sweden, Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Finland, Italy, […]
July 05, 2026
Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya joined Kupalle celebrations at the Mroya homestead in Poland
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Pavel Latushka, representatives of civil society, and members of the Belarusian diaspora visited the unique Mroya homestead, located near the Belarusian border in Poland. The hosts gave guests a tour and shared the story of how the homestead came to be. More than 50 people gathered there to celebrate Kupalle. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined […]
July 03, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on Belarus’s official Independence Day
“On July 3, we commemorate the liberation of Minsk from Nazi occupation and honor those who gave their lives so that Belarus could be free. This date must remain in our collective memory. It reminds us of the terrible price of peace, security, and a nation’s right to live freely on its own land. That […]
July 02, 2026
June 2026: Highlights from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office
In June, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office prioritized international visits and meetings, support for political prisoners and civil society, and reforms for a future democratic Belarus. Below are the key developments of the month. Visit to the UK. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with then Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty and addressed the International […]
June 30, 2026
Visits to Kraków and Gdańsk, Ukraine Recovery Conference. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: June 22–28
UKRAINE RECOVERY CONFERENCE On June 25, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was in Gdańsk, where the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 took place — an international conference dedicated to the reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine. The forum brought together heads of state and government, international financial institutions, business representatives, civil society, and Ukraine’s partners from around the world. Discussions […]
June 30, 2026
Lech Wałęsa received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Gdańsk
On June 25, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Gdańsk with the legendary leader of Poland’s Solidarity movement, former President of Poland, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Wałęsa. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Mr. Wałęsa for his many years of support for the Belarusian people and noted that the experience of the Polish Solidarity movement continues to inspire […]
June 25, 2026
Concept for Accountability for Repression in Belarus published
The Concept for Accountability for Repression in Belarus has been published on Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s website, prepared by her Office’s Legal Department. The document outlines how serious human rights violations committed after 2020 could be investigated in a future democratic Belarus. The concept addresses the role of victims, the preservation of evidence, the right to truth […]
June 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meetings at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a visit to Gdańsk, where the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 is taking place — a major international forum dedicated to Ukraine’s recovery and modernization. The conference brings together heads of state and government, international financial institutions, business leaders, civil society representatives, and Ukraine’s partners from around the world. Discussions are focused […]
June 25, 2026
Overview of developments in education and science: May 2026
Developments inside Belarus State commission for preparing textbooks in the humanities and social sciences Aliaksandr Lukashenka signed a decree establishing a state commission to prepare textbooks in the humanities and social sciences. This represents yet another instance of political interference in education and yet another effort to rewrite textbooks to align them with the “content […]
June 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the College of Europe in Natolin
On June 22, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the graduating class of the College of Europe in Natolin in Warsaw, one of Europe’s most prestigious educational institutions for future diplomats, civil servants, and political leaders. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the future of Belarus and Europe, Russia’s war against Ukraine, Belarus’s role in European security, and the responsibility […]
June 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Andrzej Duda
In Kraków, former Polish President Andrzej Duda received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in his new office. He assured the Belarusian leader that he would continue speaking out about Belarus and supporting those fighting for freedom and democratic change. The parties discussed the situation in Belarus and Ukraine, relations with the United States, efforts to secure the release […]
June 25, 2026
Belarusian NGOs presented proposals to Ireland on supporting civil society
On June 22, a briefing dedicated to the work of Belarusian democratic and civil society organizations took place in Vilnius for representatives of Ireland. The Irish side was represented by Ireland’s Ambassadors to Lithuania, Seadhna MacHugh and Tim Mawe. From the Belarusian side, participants included the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Volnyja, the A Country to […]
June 22, 2026
Visit to Brussels, resolution in support of political prisoners. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: June 15–21
VISIT TO BRUSSELS On June 17, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Brussels with the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Séamus Boland. The parties discussed the situation in Belarus, support for civil society, implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed last year between the EESC and the democratic forces of Belarus, and new […]