April 03, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the so-called “Day of Unity of Belarus and Russia”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “On April 2, the regime marks what is perhaps its most cynical so-called holiday — the ‘Day of Unity of Belarus and Russia’. But the truth is that this ‘unity’ is just a label behind which the reality has always been the same: the gradual destruction of our identity and independence. In the […]
April 03, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke on transnational repression at a discussion in Berlin
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a working visit to Berlin, where an international discussion took place titled “Defending Democracy’s Frontline Defenders: Disrupting, Deterring, and Recovery from Authoritarian Transnational Repression”. The event brought together diplomats, representatives of global media, and think tanks. The meeting aimed to: develop practical policy recommendations; strengthen cooperation between policymakers, civil society, […]
April 03, 2026
UN extended the Special Rapporteur and Independent Expert Group mandates on Belarus
The UN Human Rights Council has extended the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus for another year. This decision confirms that the international community has no intention of turning a blind eye to the ongoing terror and legal arbitrariness in Belarus. Despite the complete lack of cooperation from […]
April 01, 2026
Passports of political prisoners deported from Belarus have been invalidated
Human rights defenders have previously reported that before deportation, people had their passports and other documents confiscated and were issued temporary papers instead, which do not carry full legal validity. The Lukashenka regime has now taken the next step — effectively stripping individuals of their legal identity. Checks through the official Interior Ministry system show […]
March 31, 2026
March 2026: Highlights from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office
Throughout March, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continued its work in supporting political prisoners, strengthening international cooperation, and reinforcing the role of the democratic forces. The focus of the month was on the release of political prisoners, Freedom Day 2026, and extensive international engagement. Below are the key developments from the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. […]
March 31, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with former political prisoners in Vilnius
On March 30, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting in Vilnius with former political prisoners who were released and deported to Lithuania on March 19 as part of the release of 250 people. The meeting was also attended by a representative of the Volnyja initiative and Viachaslau Zhukau of A Country to Live In Foundation. The […]
March 31, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a discussion in the Lithuanian Seimas
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech at the opening of a roundtable in the Lithuanian Seimas, dedicated to Belarus’ role in regional security and cooperation with democratic forces. The event was attended by: Juozas Olekas, Speaker of the Seimas; Audra Plepytė, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Michał Kamiński, Deputy Marshal of the Polish Senate; Lithuanian MPs, […]
March 31, 2026
White-red-white flag raised in Vilnius near the Lithuanian Seimas as a sign of solidarity with Belarus
The white-red-white flag was ceremonially raised near the Lithuanian Seimas in Vilnius today. This ceremony was part of honoring the 108th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. The event was attended by: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya; Juozas Olekas, Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania; Michał Kamiński, Deputy Marshal of the Senate of Poland; members […]
March 31, 2026
Freedom Day and regional security forum in Kyiv. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 23–29
FREEDOM DAY March 25 marked the 108th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, celebrated by Belarusians as Freedom Day. On this occasion, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered an address, noting that this holiday unites everyone who cares about Belarus, regardless of where they are, as they share a common aspiration to see the country […]
March 31, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined Freedom Day celebrations in Warsaw
On March 28, a large-scale Freedom Day event took place in Warsaw. Hundreds of participants gathered in the streets of the Polish capital to mark the national Belarusian holiday, express solidarity, and remind the world that the struggle for a free Belarus continues. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the march, walking alongside Belarusians through central Warsaw under […]
March 30, 2026
Leanid Marozau’s statement on political prisoner Stsiapan Latypau’s attempted suicide
It was reported today that political prisoner Stsiapan Latypau has attempted suicide for the third time. Behind bars, such an attempt is a desperate step to draw attention to one’s situation and to stop the abuse. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, comments on the prison conditions in Belarus that lead to such […]
March 27, 2026
The whole world stands with Belarus! Statements of solidarity from international politicians and diplomats on Freedom Day
March 25 is a special date for Belarusians. It is a day marked by its history, a sense of unity, and the aspiration for freedom and independence. It is also significant because of the support Belarusians receive from the international community. Yesterday, politicians, diplomats, governments of democratic countries, and international organizations expressed their solidarity with […]
March 27, 2026
Freedom Day celebration in Vilnius
A Freedom Day celebration took place in Vilnius, marking the 108th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Belarusians and friends of Belarus gathered at Lukiškės Square to commemorate this important date and march through the streets of the city. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a video address. She thanked Belarusians for their resilience and […]
March 25, 2026
“Path to Freedom” Forum started in Kyiv
Today, the “Path to Freedom” Forum is taking place in Kyiv, addressing regional security issues. The forum focuses on key aspects of the struggle for the liberation of Belarus, threats posed by the Lukashenka regime, and the democratic forces’ cooperation with Ukraine and European partners. Participants include Ukrainian and Western experts, Belarusian democratic forces, and […]
March 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Freedom Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addresses Belarusians on the occasion of Freedom Day, the 108th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian Democratic Republic: “Dear friends, Today is March 25. Belarus Freedom Day and International Day of Solidarity. More than a century ago, in 1918, Belarusians declared independence. They declared the right to be free. The right to […]
March 24, 2026
“The numbers may be decreasing, but the catastrophe in Belarus continues”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau: “The fact that the number of political prisoners has dropped below 900 for the first time in four years, unfortunately, gives no grounds for optimism. Behind this lies continued repression. The system has not changed. The conveyor belt of political persecution is operating without interruption. While some […]
March 24, 2026
250 political prisoners released, visit to Belgium. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 16–22
RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS On March 19, 250 political prisoners were released in Belarus. 15 of them were forcibly transferred to Lithuania, while 235 were allowed to remain in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement: “I am sincerely grateful to Donald Trump, John Coale, Chris Smith, and the entire United States administration, which continues to […]
March 24, 2026
Pavel Tereshkovich’s comment on the expansion of propaganda into early education in Belarus
On March 22, marking the anniversary of the Khatyn massacre, Belarusian schools were advised to hold a unified lesson on the tragedy of Khatyn — one of the most painful chapters in the country’s history. However, the way this is being implemented raises concerns. From as early as grades 1–4, children are introduced to detailed […]
March 24, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined a discussion with the Belarusian academic and cultural community in Warsaw
On March 20, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the discussion “How to Defend Belarusian Independence: The Role of Academic and Cultural Community” in Warsaw. She delivered remarks emphasizing that the independence of Belarus must be defended not only through international policy but also through culture, language, and education. The meeting was held at the Belarusian […]
March 24, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the College of Europe in Bruges
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a lecture at the College of Europe, a prestigious postgraduate institution specializing in European studies in Bruges. Around 100 students attended the event. She addressed the scale of repression, Belarusians’ resistance both inside the country and in exile, as well as the role of culture and the war in Ukraine in shaping […]
March 23, 2026
Overview of developments in education and science: February 2026
This overview presents the key developments in education and science in February 2026, divided into two sections — developments within Belarus and those beyond its borders. Inside the country, the focus remained on the expansion of educational infrastructure and scientific projects amid increasing state control, growing ideological pressure, and persistent systemic challenges in research funding. […]
March 20, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the release of 250 political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “This is a great joy and a huge relief. 250 political prisoners are now free and can embrace their loved ones. This is always the most joyful moment – when a person is reunited with their family after having to go through unjust imprisonment. It is especially important that, thanks to the efforts […]
March 20, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the European People’s Party’s 50th anniversary celebration in Brussels
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a ceremonial event marking the 50th anniversary of the European People’s Party (EPP) in Brussels. She held brief talks with EPP President Manfred Weber, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The European People’s Party is the largest center-right […]
March 20, 2026
Support for political prisoners and international cooperation: Key topics of meetings at Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Lithuania
In recent days, the Director of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Lithuania, Dzianis Kuchynski, held a series of meetings with both Lithuanian politicians and international partners in Vilnius. The focus was on aid for political prisoners and practical ways to provide assistance. During meetings with international partners, further steps were outlined to develop cooperation in several […]
March 20, 2026
Dzianis Kuchynski and Anatoli Liabedzka discussed issues facing Belarusians in Lithuania with MP Rimantas Sinkevičius
On March 17, the Director of the Office in Vilnius, Dzianis Kuchynski, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, met at the Seimas of Lithuania with the Chair of the Committee on National Security and one of the leaders of the Social Democrats, Rimantas Sinkevičius. Key topics of the meeting included legislative initiatives […]
March 19, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed NATO ambassadors in Brussels
During her visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a briefing for ambassadors of NATO member states. The meeting brought together senior representatives of Allied countries, including permanent representatives and diplomats from Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. The discussion focused on the situation in […]
March 18, 2026
Meetings with the Presidents of Italy and Latvia, visits to Rome and Riga, “Women of My Time” event. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 9–15
VISIT TO ROME On March 9, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a working visit to Italy and held a series of important meetings: with President Sergio Mattarella, she discussed the situation inside Belarus, where politically motivated detentions and repression continue, including against religious believers. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for strengthening the European perspective for the Belarusian people and […]
March 17, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s comment on the regime’s new law on political parties
Aliaksandr Lukashenka has signed a new law changing the procedure for establishing political parties. The goal here is simple: to completely clear out politics for his own benefit, not to make it more open. In late 2022, Lukashenka openly stated that only the parties that align with his policy should operate in the country. In […]
March 17, 2026
“The seizure of the state from the people began with the seizure of the Constitution”
The fourth meeting of the “Professionally About the Current Issues” Expert Club was held in Warsaw. The topic was “Constitution Day Through the Lens of Challenges and Prospects”. More than 25 representatives of political structures, civic initiatives, and the expert community took part in the discussion. They included: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya; Artsiom Brukhan, Speaker of the […]