Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on Czech Foreign Minister to lift visa restrictions against Belarusians
The Belarusian leader met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, in Vilnius. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs for assistance to former political prisoners and the Civil Society Program, which allows Belarusian activists to obtain Czech visas. Several Belarusians have received international protection and government scholarships. […]
November 10, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students received Young Woman of Europe Award 2023
Yesterday in Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, received the Young Woman of Europe Award 2023, which annually acknowledges women who promote European values. Ms. Vorykhava dedicated the award to all young leaders of Belarus. “Young people play a crucial role in shaping the future and protecting democracy. And this […]
November 10, 2023
Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs visited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius
On November 9, the Minister of State for European Affairs of Ireland, Peter Burke, visited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius. He was accompanied by the Ambassador of Ireland to Lithuania, Séadhna MacHugh, who is responsible for cooperation with democratic forces in Belarus. During the meeting, Mr. Burke and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed support for rehabilitation programs […]
November 09, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the Future of Democracy Forum in Vilnius, 2023
“Dear friends of democracy, dear friends of free Belarus. First of all, I wish to congratulate our host, Minister Landsbergis, on this wonderful forum. The fight for democracy is difficult. To win this fight – we need champions. And you, dear minister, are one of them. You have become a real enemy for the dictators […]
November 09, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the Seminar on Media Freedom and Belarus, Vilnius, 2023
“Dear Professor Šešelgytė, Thank you for your introduction. A few weeks ago, we met here at your Institute to discuss how to improve the Lithuanian-Belarusian relationship. Today, we discuss how to improve Media freedom. It seems that with your help, we can improve many aspects of life. I want to thank all organizers of this […]
November 09, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at Berlin Conference, 2023
“Dear Christopher Knoch, thank you for your kind introduction, Dear Armin Laschet, Dear friends, I’m always honored and excited when I have a chance to speak before the young leaders of Europe. A few years ago, I couldn’t imagine myself in this place, and I would still rather be the one learning and listening to […]
November 09, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed Belarusian language support with YouTube representative
The Belarusian leader visited the YouTube regional office in Berlin, where she met with the platform’s Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Sabine Frank. During the meeting, they discussed Belarusian language support on YouTube, promotion of Belarusian content and blocking of the regime’s propaganda. The Belarusian language is currently supported on most of YouTube’s […]
November 09, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to Viktar Babaryka: “I believe that you have not given up”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, November 9, is Viktar Babaryka’s 60th birthday. This is the fourth birthday he has spent behind bars. Another day that Mr. Babaryka cannot spend the way he likes – with his family. Like thousands of Belarusians, he is being held in inhumane conditions. His lawyer is no longer allowed to see him, […]
November 09, 2023
German Bundestag adopted resolution on Belarus
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Bundestag and called on its members to adopt a resolution on Belarus. After debates, the German Parliament adopted the resolution “In support of a democratic Belarus in the European family”. The resolution states: “The German Bundestag firmly stands on the side of the entire […]
November 08, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with German Chancellor’s Foreign and Security Policy Advisor Jens Plötner
The meeting of Jens Plötner and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya focused on alien passports for Belarusians in Germany, recognition of the new Belarusian passport, as well as steps needed to achieve the release of political prisoners and support their families. The politicians also talked about the strategy vis-a-vis Belarus, sanctions pressure, and closing loopholes to avoid circumvention. […]
November 08, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Bundestag: “Tyrants hope that the world will forget about Belarus. We should not allow this to happen”
The Belarusian leader addressed the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Bundestag. She called on the MPs to adopt a resolution in support of Belarus, which aims to support democratic forces, civil society, and independent media while condemning the crimes of Lukashenka’s regime. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the unacceptability of equating Belarusians to the Lukashenka […]
November 08, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundestag in Berlin, 2023
“Mr. Chairman Michael Roth, Dear members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Dear friends, First, I would like to thank you for supporting our fight for democracy on behalf of all Belarusians. It is a crucial time not just for the people of Belarus and Ukraine, but for all of Europe. And I am glad to […]
November 08, 2023
Solidarity campaigns and rehabilitation programs for Belarusian political prisoners: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Libereco leadership
The Belarusian leader visited the office of the Swiss-German NGO Libereco, where she met with Executive Director Marco Fieber and his team. Libereco actively supports Belarusian political prisoners. Thanks to their campaign, more than 300 MPs from 21 countries have become godparents to imprisoned Belarusians. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Libereco for their support and emphasized the […]
November 08, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Everywhere you go, speak about Belarus”
The Belarusian leader took part in a rally of Belarusians near the Brandenburg Gate, which was also joined by representatives of the Razam organization, the Libereco NGO that supports political prisoners in Belarus, and the People’s Embassies of Belarus. During her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on Belarusians to be more active and engage with politicians […]
November 08, 2023
Kristina Rikhter took part in meeting of working group on migration issues in Poland
Today, another meeting of the working group at the Ministry of the Interior of Poland took place. The Belarusian side was represented by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Kristina Rikhter, and the Director of the Legal Aid Department at Belarusian Solidarity Center, Volha Dabravolskaya. The parties discussed the issues of legalizing the stay of […]
November 07, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Anna Lührmann discussed simplifying legalization of stay for Belarusians in Germany
During the meeting with the German Minister of State for Europe, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya raised the issues of assistance to the Belarusian civil society and independent media, as well as increasing support for Belarusian volunteer fighters in Ukraine, to whom Germany had previously provided 5 pickup trucks and a mobile hospital. Ms. Lührmann announced preparations to […]
November 07, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in meeting of Alliance of Groups “For a Democratic Belarus” in Berlin
The Belarusian leader spoke in Berlin at the first meeting of the Alliance of Groups “For a Democratic Belarus”. Such groups already exist in 22 countries around the world. Leaders of parliamentary groups from Austria, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Spain participated in the event. MPs from Ireland, […]
November 07, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the meeting of the groups “For democratic Belarus”, Berlin, 2023
“Dear Excellencies, colleagues, Friends of democratic Belarus, I’m so happy that finally we all gathered here in Berlin. We worked on this event for many months. And let me start with words of gratitude to our dear hosts, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for making this happen. Huge thanks to Böll Foundation, FES and Friedrich Naumann Foundation […]
November 07, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received new Czech Ambassador in her Office
Aleš Opata will represent the interests of the Czech Republic in Lithuania and maintain ties with Belarus’ democratic forces. During the conversation, the Belarusian leader and Aleš Opata discussed issues related to the legalization of stay for Belarusians in Czechia, including issuing alien passports to Belarusian citizens who cannot return home. Such a passport has […]
November 06, 2023
Young girl Varia who helps volunteer fighters in Ukraine received foreigner’s passport in Czechia
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Do you remember the wonderful girl Varia? The little Belarusian girl spent two years saving money to buy a drone for herself, and then handed it over to the fighters of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment along with a touching letter. It seemed like the end of the story. But I called Varia our […]
November 06, 2023
Astrozhski Belarus-Ukraine Forum took place in Lviv: Legal expertise projects and Verkhovna Rada Representative for Belarus
On November 4-5, Lviv hosted the second Astrozski Belarus-Ukraine Forum, which discussed various formats of cooperation between the countries. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, as well as political experts represented Belarus. During the meeting, the Belarusian side joined Ukrainian politicians and MPs to seek solutions to the problems faced […]
November 06, 2023
Sweden appointed Envoy for Relations with Democratic Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström. The parties announced the appointment of the Envoy, whose responsibilities will include relations with Belarusians in exile, cooperation with the democratic forces, and strengthening international ties. The position was taken by Christina Johannesson, Sweden’s former Ambassador to Belarus. Sweden joined France, Estonia, Lithuania, and […]
November 06, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for joining Christmas campaign in support of political prisoners’ children
In anticipation of Christmas, A Country to Live in Foundation, in partnership with Dissidentby, Littowin LIONS CLUB, Politzek.me, the People’s Embassies of Belarus and the Association of Belarusians in America (ABA) announced “Christmas Post” for the children of political prisoners. The children of political prisoners can draw or write in a letter about a gift […]
November 04, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students spoke with OST volunteers about her work
Last week, Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Youth Policy and Students and President of the RADA Youth Council, Marharyta Vorykhava, held an online meeting with the volunteers of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. Ms. Vorykhava spoke about her work and projects, and also answered the volunteers’ questions about youth policy and youth as a target audience. Read […]
November 03, 2023
Belarus-Estonia Conference in Tallinn: program and agenda
The first Belarus-Estonia Conference in Tallinn, scheduled for November 10, will have the following program. 8:30-9:30 Registration, coffee time Conference Day Moderator: Marko Koplimaa, Estonia’s first Special Representative for the Democratic Forces of Belarus. 9:30-10:30 Keynote speeches, discussion The keynote speeches will be followed by a discussion moderated by Mr. Jerzy Pomianowski, Executive Director of […]
November 03, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced working visit to Berlin
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Next week, my team and I will be visiting Berlin. We will launch the Alliance “For a Democratic Belarus”, which will unite dozens of parliamentary groups from various countries. We will come together to develop a common strategy vis-a-vis Belarus. We will discuss how to support Belarusians not only in exile but also […]
November 03, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Dziady has been an important day for Belarusians since ancient times”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Dziady has been an important day for Belarusians since ancient times. Today, Belarusians follow the tradition and visit the graves of their relatives and friends. We feel warmth but also pain in our hearts when we remember our loved ones who are no longer with us. But the people of Belarus are all […]
November 02, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya answered Belarusians’ questions in Current Time interview
Readers of Current Time Belarus asked Ms. Tsikhanouskaya about her ways of coping with stress. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I do not cope with it, I live with it. I am not in any kind of therapy, I am my own psychoanalyst and psychologist. Maybe I am just used to it somehow and live in stress all the […]
November 01, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke on progress with new Belarusian passport
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Almost every day Belarusians tell me about problems with passports and legalization of stay abroad. They message me hoping to find out how the launch of the new Belarusian passport project is progressing. So I decided to share the latest news. Right now we are working on producing the first passport samples. We […]
November 01, 2023