Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Alexandre Fasel
Continuing her series of international engagements, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Switzerland’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Alexandre Fasel. They discussed key issues related to the situation in Belarus and the broader international context: Lukashenka’s role in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the prospects for democratic change in Belarus under current conditions; International efforts, including those […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the death of former political prisoner Tamara Karavai
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I’ve just learned the tragic news — Tamara Karavai has passed away, a former political prisoner who spent nearly two years behind bars. Tamara was sent to prison for nothing more than a ‘like’ on the internet. She was sentenced to serve time – and then, three months before her term was up, […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Theodoros Rousopoulos
As part of her high-level political meetings, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Rousopoulos. The meeting focused on further and deeper cooperation between PACE and Belarus’ democratic forces. The parties discussed: Preparations for the June PACE session and continued cooperation, including the participation […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Luxembourg
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her visit to Luxembourg. As part of her high-level political engagements, she held talks with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Rousopoulos. The central focus of their discussion was the strategic cooperation between the democratic forces of Belarus and the Council of Europe. This partnership already […]
May 15, 2025
Roundtable on gender equality and future reforms in Belarus took place in Tallinn
The Representation of Democratic Belarus in Estonia hosted a roundtable titled “A Future Without Discrimination: Discussing Legislative Reforms to Protect LGBTQ+ Rights in Belarus”. Participants included Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative for Estonia and Latvia, Vitaly Malchanau; the First Deputy Representative on Social Policy of the United Transitional Cabinet, Yuliya Mitskevich; representatives of Belarusian and Estonian NGOs […]
May 15, 2025
Luxembourg allocated €250,000 to support political prisoners in Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel. The parties discussed ways to support the Belarusian people, advance Belarus’ European integration, and hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its crimes. Minister Bettel announced that Luxembourg is joining the International Humanitarian Fund and has already allocated €250,000 to support […]
May 14, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to take part in the Council of Europe’s Ministerial Session for the first time
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has begun her working visit to Luxembourg to take part in the Council of Europe’s Ministerial Session, where the establishment of a tribunal for Russia’s crimes against Ukraine will be announced. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya will address the ministers to explain and highlight the co-aggressor role of the Lukashenka regime in the war and emphasize […]
May 14, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s International Nurses Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Nurses’ work is the backbone of the entire healthcare system. Yet they often remain invisible. This profession demands knowledge, resilience, quick decision-making, and compassion. We must remember that a nurse is not a ‘junior medical worker’ but an independent professional – someone essential in every hospital, clinic, and emergency unit. In Belarus, unfortunately, […]
May 13, 2025
Visits to the United States and Latvia, release of political prisoners, Victory Day. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: May 4–11
VICTORY DAY ADDRESS On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians with important reflections on war, peace, and our responsibility to history: “I see how in Belarus this date is being turned into yet another show with loud slogans and military equipment. But peace is not born from […]
May 13, 2025
Support for the repressed and solidarity with Belarus: Key outcomes of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Latvia
On May 9, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was on a working trip to Latvia, meeting with the Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament), visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and speaking at the event “The Role of Belarus in the Political and Security Architecture of Europe: Perspectives from the Baltic Region”. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced […]
May 10, 2025
“Belarus is not a Russian pawn. We have the right to self-determination, just like every European nation”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the plenary session of the Baltic Assembly in Riga, where MPs from more than 15 countries participated. She emphasized that only a democratic Belarus can become a reliable partner for Europe and a guarantor of regional security. Below are the key points from Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s speech. Belarus is part of Europe, not […]
May 10, 2025
“All we want is to give Belarusians the chance to choose their own future”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her working visit to Riga. After opening the Art from Behind Bars exhibition, she attended the event “The Role of Belarus in the Political and Security Architecture of Europe: Perspectives from the Baltic Region”, organized by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of […]
May 10, 2025
“This exhibition is a journey into the inner world of people whose only ‘crime’ was dreaming of a free and just Belarus”
During her visit to Riga, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya opened the exhibition Art from Behind Bars, organized by the Community of Belarusians in Latvia Supolka and the Viasna Human Rights Center. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that art has been the soul of the Belarusian protest and a form of resistance – even in prison. She […]
May 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Latvian parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Riga with a productive meeting with the Latvian parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”. She thanked the Latvian MPs for supporting Belarusians in exile – particularly for the legislative exemptions they have provided, as well as for their assistance to political prisoners and principled stance toward the regime. […]
May 09, 2025
“World War II is a pain that must remind us: War should never be a way to solve problems”
On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians with important reflections on war, peace, and our responsibility to history: “World War II is a wound that never heals. It is a pain that must remind us: War should never be a way to solve problems. Our grandparents did […]
May 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the election of Robert Francis Prevost as the Pope
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Your Holiness, I sincerely congratulate you on your election as pontiff and on your new solemn responsibility and service. Without a doubt, your appointment is a significant event not only for Catholics but for all Christians – and indeed for every person on Earth. Your voice will be heard by millions. And among […]
May 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met President George W. Bush in Dallas
During her visit to the United States, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, in Dallas. The meeting lasted over an hour and a half and focused on the situation in Belarus, the fight for freedom and democracy, and Belarus’ role in regional security. Key topics discussed included: […]
May 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked the United States administration for its role in freeing political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern European Affairs, Christopher Smith, who oversees the United States’ policy on Belarus under the new administration. Among other responsibilities, Mr. Smith works on the release of political prisoners in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked the new US administration for its role in securing the […]
May 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Washington: Meetings with members of Congress, senators, and representatives of the new administration
During her visit to Washington, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a series of meetings with members of the United States Congress, the State Department, and think tanks. This was her first visit since the new US administration came to power. The visit aimed to strengthen the bilateral Strategic Dialogue, discuss further steps for the release of political […]
May 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian diaspora in Washington
As part of her visit to Washington, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian diaspora and presented awards from the United Transitional Cabinet to distinguished compatriots. The ceremony also featured representatives of Belarusian communities and initiatives, diplomats, and members of the Department of State. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya acknowledged the contributions of the Belarusian diaspora in Washington: “I […]
May 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the release of 42 political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today brought the first release of political prisoners in 2025. Another 42 people are finally returning home. Forty-two families will see their loved ones and hold them in their arms. They will finally be close again. But none of them should have been imprisoned in the first place. And as long as more […]
May 07, 2025
Leanid Marozau’s statement on the extended mandates of the UN Special Rapporteur and the Independent Expert Group on Belarus
The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution extending the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus. This extension is both an act of international solidarity and an important step toward restoring justice, the rule of law, and respect for human rights […]
May 07, 2025
Outlook on Belarus and regional dynamics
As Russia wages its war against Ukraine and instability persists in the region, the future of Belarus remains dependent not only on internal factors but also on a number of external ones. Experts from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office outline several possible scenarios for how the situation might develop in Belarus and the wider region to help […]
May 07, 2025
Visits to Warsaw, Valencia, and the United States, meeting at the Lithuanian Military Academy. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: April 28 – May 3
VISIT TO WARSAW Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Three Seas Summit in Warsaw at the invitation of Polish President Andrzej Duda. During the summit, which brought together delegations from over 20 countries, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya held a series of brief conversations with heads of state from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, Estonia, and Albania, […]
May 05, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, I want to speak about the people whose right to a dignified life requires special attention and protection. International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a reminder that our society must be just and inclusive for everyone, with no exceptions. There are over 560,000 people with disabilities living in Belarus, yet their […]
May 05, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Sedona Forum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to the United States by participating in the Sedona Forum, hosted annually by the McCain Institute. The forum brings together global leaders to discuss major challenges to democracy, human rights, and security. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke on a panel dedicated to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, shifts in European […]
May 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s World Press Freedom Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I started this morning, like many others, with Obychnoe Utro. I skimmed the headlines and checked the latest updates on repression. It’s become a routine for me – even on days packed with meetings and speeches during official visits. But thanks to the work of independent media, I can speak about Belarus at […]
May 04, 2025
Monthly recap: April 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
The Viasna Human Rights Center’s Legal Service prepared a guide for Belarusians facing confiscation of their property by the regime in Belarus. A new creative space, Art Fusion Space, opened in Vilnius. Cultural NGOs published an open letter with recommendations on how to better integrate cultural topics into political forums and conferences. The Humanitarian Ambulance […]
May 02, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Labor Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today’s ‘holiday’ came to us from Soviet times, when labor was called an honor and the worker a hero – but only in words. In reality, workers were nothing more than cogs in a vast system where human life had no value. Unfortunately, this same attitude has been adopted by the current regime. […]
May 01, 2025