Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague
During the meeting, Stephen Capus and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed support for the Belarusian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Belarusian-language broadcasting in general, needed to ensure that accurate information reaches the audience inside Belarus. Mr. Capus and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also talked about the situation with political prisoners, particularly journalists Ihar Losik, Andrei Kuznechyk, and […]
March 27, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Czech Minister of Education discussed new scholarships for Belarusians
The Minister of Education of the Czech Republic, Mikuláš Bek, welcomed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Prague. The Belarusian leader expressed gratitude to Czechia for allocating state scholarships for Belarusian students, including former political prisoners. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya requested more scholarships for both master’s and bachelor’s programs at Czech universities, as well as exemptions from visa restrictions for […]
March 27, 2024
“We clearly realize what change in Belarus we are fighting for”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
The Belarusian leader visited Strasbourg on a working visit, where she participated in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech during which she talked about reform projects for Belarus and made 4 practical requests for assistance from European partners. ⚪️ “Help us to prepare the […]
March 27, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I also want to complain, maybe even cry on someone’s shoulder”
The Third Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora opened with a speech by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The same emotionally restrained speech was expected from the leader at the end of the event. However, her final conversation with the participants had a completely different, more emotional tone. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Do you realize that politicians need support as well? […]
March 27, 2024
“We are capable of uniting to defend what’s ours”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on Freedom Day
The national leader of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, addressed the Belarusian people on the occasion of Freedom Day: “We have no other option but to hold rallies and ceremonies abroad, not on our native land. As thousands of people remain behind bars, we can only celebrate this day with a sore heart. We say “Freedom Day” […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on foreign diplomats to appoint special envoys for relations with democratic Belarus
At the Embassy of Lithuania in Prague, the leader of the United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, met with ambassadors and diplomats from Argentina, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Bulgaria. On the occasion of the meeting, the Lithuanian […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Foreign Minister of Czechia discussed visa issues and support for Office of Democratic Forces in Prague
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, received the leader of the United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the minister for supporting the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces, the Civil Society Program, through which the country issues visas to activists and […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Czech leadership. What was on agenda?
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s working visit to Prague featured several high-level meetings, including with the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. During the conversation, the Belarusian leader raised several important issues, including the situation with political prisoners, harsh prison conditions, and coordinated pressure on the regime. In addition, the dialogue focused on ways to stop Belarus’ […]
March 26, 2024
Czech President Petr Pavel received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at Prague Castle
During Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s official visit to Prague, she was received by the Czech president at Prague Castle, where the president’s official residence is located. President Pavel wished Ms. Tsikhanouskaya a Happy Freedom Day and expressed support for the Belarusian people. During the meeting, the parties discussed support for political prisoners and steps towards their release, […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Thank you to everyone who took part in Freedom Day celebration!”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “My heart swelled with pride as I heard your voices and saw your eyes shining with warmth. Your support inspires and gives us strength to keep moving forward. At the same time, it breaks my heart that Belarusians inside the country cannot join the festivities and celebrate this day properly… However, I urge […]
March 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “No violence can suffocate the strength of Belarusian character. Freedom Day symbolizes our resilience”
Today, the Belarusian leader participated in the online events held by the BNR100 team to celebrate Freedom Day. She addressed Belarusians on the occasion of this national holiday: “This is the milestone that started the recent history of Belarus, our independence, and our national revival. Belarusians stepped out of the shadow of the empire and […]
March 25, 2024
3rd Conference of Belarusian Diaspora in Prague: Second day results
On the second day of the Third Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the People’s Embassies held a joint strategic session. The Belarusian leader joined it, after which she officially launched a memorial plaque in honor of Francysk Skaryna, marking the third object in Prague dedicated to the […]
March 24, 2024
3rd Conference of Belarusian Diaspora in Prague: First day results
Here are the key issues discussed by speakers in the panel discussions during the Third Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora. 📌 First panel. Speakers emphasized the need to strengthen the internal and external policies, support for Ukraine, and the Belarusian diaspora’s active participation in international events. Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, […]
March 24, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusians abroad should provide practical assistance to those in Belarus, not just show compassion”
The Belarusian leader spoke at the opening of the Third Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora. Guests of the event represent 21 countries and over 100 initiatives and organizations. In her welcome speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that no one but Belarusians can solve their own problems: 📌 “We, Belarusians, tend to underestimate ourselves. We may think […]
March 23, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Tragedy will not be on TV, we will be watching it unfold with our own eyes”
The national leader of Belarus commented on the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall outside Moscow: “Today’s terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert complex reminded me of what happened in the early 2000s. Horrific scenes after explosions in residential buildings, the Moscow theater hostage crisis, hostages in Beslan… A tragedy that was […]
March 22, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with ambassadors and diplomats from 16 countries
A delegation led by the EEAS Special Representative for the Eastern Partnership, Dirk Schuebel, visited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius. The diplomatic delegation included representatives from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, Ireland, and Greece. The Belarusian leader briefed the politicians on the importance […]
March 22, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Chairman of Polish Sejm Foreign Affairs Commission Paweł Kowal
During the meeting, the Belarusian leader emphasized the need to support the Belsat TV channel, other independent media, and civil society initiatives. Mr. Kowal and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also discussed the current situation with political prisoners in Belarus, as well as Polish visas for Belarusians. Mr. Kowal assured the Belarusian leader of Poland’s support for the […]
March 22, 2024
“We are fighting the same evil and for the same future”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at opening of Kalinowski Conference in Vilnius
Today, the Lithuanian Seimas launched the two-day Kalinowski Conference. The Belarusian leader spoke at the opening, calling for keeping Belarus on the agenda. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also emphasized the importance of aid to Ukraine and noted that Belarus is the weakest link in Putin’s military machine. Here are the most notable quotes from her speech: 📌 […]
March 22, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed support for independent media with European Commission’s NEAR Director-General
The Belarusian leader met with the European Commission’s Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Gert Jan Koopman, in her office in Vilnius. During the meeting, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the need to support Belarusian independent media, noting that the issue is urgent. She drew Mr. Koppman’s attention to the funding problems faced by many media […]
March 22, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Speaker of Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the President of the National Assembly of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, during the Euronest Congress. In the dialogue, the Belarusian leader expressed hope for closer cooperation between Armenia and democratic Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for his decision not to attend the CSTO summit in Minsk. Representatives of Armenia […]
March 22, 2024
What is notable about Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Prague? Explained by Dzianis Kuchynski
On March 23, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will begin her working visit to the Czech Republic. Her team has already announced the leader’s participation in the Third Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora but the Belarusian leader’s agenda for the visit is much broader. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, shares the key and most important details in […]
March 22, 2024
Kristina Rikhter spoke at “Give Voice to the Victims” event at UN Human Rights Council
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Kristina Rikhter, spoke at the “Give a Voice to the Victims” event in Geneva. It was organized by the Permanent Mission of Lithuania to the UN and supported by the Permanent Mission of Poland. The side event during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council was dedicated to […]
March 21, 2024
3rd Conference of Belarusian Diaspora: Panels and speakers
The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Office of Democratic Forces of Belarus in the Czech Republic, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the People’s Embassies of Belarus continue preparations for the 3rd Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora, which will be held on March 23-24 in Prague. During the conference, current issues faced by the Belarusian community […]
March 21, 2024
“There’s no freedom for one without freedom for all”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke before Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
The Belarusian leader addressed the 2024 ALDE Party Extraordinary Congress in Brussels, emphasizing the importance of unity and determination in the European community’s fight against tyranny and dictatorship. She also called on participants to support Belarusians through visas and assistance with the legalization of stay: Here are some key quotes from Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s speech: 📌 […]
March 21, 2024
Anatoli Liabedzka spoke on results of EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly
On March 20, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the official opening of the 11th ordinary session of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, discusses the main outcomes of the session: Ten seats allocated for Belarus in the Parliamentary Assembly were not vacant. These seats were […]
March 21, 2024
Release for political prisoners and accountability for Lukashenka regime: UN Human Rights Council discussed Belarus
Today, during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the report was presented by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Situation of Human Rights in Belarus in the Run-Up to the 2020 Presidential Election and in its Aftermath”. An advance unedited version of the document is available at the link. In the […]
March 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “It’s high time to show that the European Union is ready for enlargement and bold steps regarding its neighborhood”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the official opening of the 11th ordinary session of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels. The Belarusian leader focused on the importance of the European future for Belarus and called for including Belarus’ democratic forces in the European Union’s Eastern Partnership program. The regime suspended Belarus’ participation in 2021. Here are […]
March 20, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am optimistic about Belarus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave speech for Formal Opening of the Eleventh Ordinary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels: “Dear co-chairs, European parliamentarians, colleagues from Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan Dear friends, It’s a big honor to address the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly today. I want to give a special thanks to the Co-Presidents Mr. Andrius […]
March 20, 2024
“Freedom means everything to us”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched Belarus Day at European Parliament
On the occasion of Freedom Day, members of the European Parliament and politicians of the European People’s Party, with the help of the Belarus Free Theatre and the Belarusian House in Warsaw, organized “Belarus Freedom Day”, a thematic event dedicated to Belarus. It featured the exhibition “I am not afraid, let them be afraid!” about […]
March 20, 2024