Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Belarusian entrepreneurs met with Secretary of State of Portugal Bernardo Ivo Cruz
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Secretary of State of Portugal, Bernardo Ivo Cruz. The event, which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal in Lisbon, also featured leaders of Belarusian startups working in Portugal and representative of the Imaguru Startup Hub, Anastasiya Khamiankova. During the meeting, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Mr. Cruz for […]
November 13, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on results of Day of Solidarity with Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “On November 12, rallies and campaigns were held all around the world to mark the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus. Together, we honored the memory of Raman Bandarenka and other outstanding people who died fighting for a free Belarus. We tied white-red-white ribbons, lit candles, and raised the eternal Belarusian flag. Wherever […]
November 13, 2023
Results of International Day of Solidarity with Belarus
On November 12, the world marked the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus. November 12, 2020, was the day of the tragic death of Raman Bandarenka. Dozens of politicians and organizations around the world expressed support for the people of Belarus, while Belarusians organized solidarity rallies in Belarus and abroad. The EU High Representative for […]
November 13, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will participate in Web Summit in Lisbon
The Belarusian leader will give a speech at Web Summit in Lisbon, one of the largest and most influential global tech industry conferences. The event will gather around 70,000 participants – representatives of technological companies, big businesses, politicians, and journalists. During her visit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will meet with the Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and […]
November 12, 2023
Fighting Autocrats Together: How Belarusians and Lithuanians Stand Hand in Hand for Freedom and Democracy
By Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Ingrida Šimonytė The article was previously published on Delfi. Despite attempts by the Lukashenka regime to set us against each other, we stand together in defense of freedom and democracy from authoritarian aggression. As Russia persists in its imperial war against Ukraine and its hybrid aggression against democracies worldwide, and as […]
November 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks three years since we lost Raman Bandarenka”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, November 12, marks three years since we lost Raman Bandarenka. Three years ago, his words – “I am heading out” – became a true motto for the Belarusian people. Raman himself for us became the symbol of our fight for freedom. When there is a crackdown in your country, any action, any […]
November 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Malaga
The leaders discussed the resolution on Belarus adopted by the German Bundestag this week. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for swift measures to implement its provisions. During the dialogue, the Belarusian leader urged the Chancellor to support an international investigation into the crimes committed by Lukashenka, particularly crimes against humanity and the forced displacement of Ukrainian children […]
November 11, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am grateful to Poland for the consistent and principled policy that many countries do not have”
The Belarusian leader congratulated Poland on its Independence Day. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked the people of Poland for supporting Belarusians in the struggle for freedom, and Polish politicians for the consistent and principled policy toward Belarus. “I am confident that our joint efforts will help make Belarus a modern, independent, and democratic state. A state that […]
November 11, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Our goal is to build a country where social rights are guaranteed, not just declared”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Congress of the Party of European Socialists in Malaga, Spain, where she addressed heads of state and government, political leaders, and activists from all over Europe. The leader emphasized the role of Belarusian social democrats in defending the independence of their country: “In this hall, we have representatives of […]
November 11, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the Congress of the Party of European Socialists, 2023
“Dear Chairman Löfven, Dear Pedro Sánchez, Dear delegates of PES Congress, Friends of democracy, and friends of free Belarus, I would like to start today by congratulating the Belarusian Social Democrats with their 120-year anniversary. Belarusian social democrats were the main power behind Belarusian independence declared more than a century ago. Then, they were fighting […]
November 11, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched the first Belarus-Estonia Conference
Today in Tallinn, the major Belarus-Estonia Conference was launched. It was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia in cooperation with the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and became the first in its format. The event brought together about 250 participants, including representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, Belarusian activists and […]
November 10, 2023
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