May 06, 2024
Congress on Belarus Political Prisoners will be held in Prague
On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic, in partnership with Belarusian human rights defenders, activists, and democratic forces’ organizations and bodies, will hold the Congress on Belarus Political Prisoners. The event will take place on May 23-25 in […]
May 06, 2024
Cooperation agreement between European Parliament and democratic forces, support fund for political prisoners. Updates Summary of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for April 29 – May 5, 2024
COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND DEMOCRATIC FORCES This week, during her working visit to Malta, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. They signed the Letter of Intent on Cooperation between the European Parliament and the Belarusian Democratic Forces. This is the first time the European Parliament has signed […]
May 05, 2024
“Our strength lies in light and faith that we carry through the darkness no matter what”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Orthodox Happy Easter
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Easter is a holiday that we usually celebrate together with our families. We invite our relatives for dinner, play egg tapping, and visit our grandparents in their villages to eat the most delicious Easter cakes. But many Belarusians cannot spend this day with their loved ones. Innocent people are in prisons, enduring persecution […]
May 03, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with leadership of Malta
This year, as Malta chairs the OSCE, the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs serves as the organization’s chairman. Malta is also a member of the UN Security Council. Recently, the country supported the activities of the Council of Europe’s Contact Group on Cooperation with Belarusian Democratic Forces and joined the sanctions, as well as voted […]
May 03, 2024
Roberta Metsola and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya signed Letter of Intent on Cooperation between European Parliament and Belarusian Democratic Forces
During her working visit to Malta, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, signed the Letter of Intent on Cooperation between the European Parliament and the Belarusian Democratic Forces. This is the first time the European Parliament signs such a document with a body other than an official government. The letter […]
May 03, 2024
Resolution for the 38th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident by Ecohome NGO
OUR WAY MUST BE DIFFERENT! Today, April 26, 2024, on the 38th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, when: – the consequences of this radiation accident continue to pose a danger and are exacerbated by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine; – about one million people live in contaminated areas in Belarus alone, where the government consciously […]
May 03, 2024
Letter of Intent on Cooperation between the European Parliament and the Belarusian Democratic Forces
The European Parliament and the Belarusian Democratic Forces (the Parties), determined to enhance relations between the European Parliament and the democratic forces and civil society of Belarus, pursuant to the European Parliament resolution of 13 September 2023 on relations with Belarus[1], condemning the unprecedented repression and the systemic and widespread human rights violations conducted by the Lukashenka […]
May 03, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Regime is trying hard to destroy ‘fourth power’ after it already subjugated first three”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I heard the other day that residents of Mazyr and Petrykau barely see any road repairs in their towns. And in Zhlobin, residents complain about potholes near kindergartens. Although we sometimes tend to skip news from the regions, media attention to such problems is important for those who face the negligence of local […]
May 02, 2024
“Through prism of propaganda, young people are perceived as objects subject to control and manipulation”: Marharyta Vorykhava’s comment on regime’s propaganda film
Another propaganda film has been released on a regime-controlled TV channel. It accuses students of the Belarusian National Technical University of “terrorism and collaboration with foreign intelligence services”. In a video address, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, notes: We are witnessing yet another example of how the regime uses the […]
May 02, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We do not need special occasions to talk about political prisoners”
Many political prisoners in Belarus are deprived of letters, phone calls, and meetings. They are isolated from their families and lawyers and denied the medical assistance they need. Incommunicado detention deprives them of any communication with the outside world as the regime tries to make political prisoners believe that no one supports them. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: […]
May 01, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I ask you to be the voice of the voiceless”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave speech for Words Matter Conference in Oslo: “Dear Chairman Finn-Jarle Rode, Dear Jacqui Thornton, Dear friends, Words matter. I couldn’t agree more with the title of this conference. Words really do matter. Words can break through walls, bring down tyrants, and transform our world. But words also have the power to hurt, […]
May 01, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Norway: Meetings with Foreign Minister, Oslo Mayor, and Culture Minister
On the first day of her visit to Norway, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the President of the Storting (Parliament), addressed the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of Norway, held a briefing for the expert community at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, spoke at the Words Matter Conference, and gave interviews to a […]
May 01, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Natallia Pinchuk
During a closed meeting, the Belarusian leader and Natallia Pinchuk discussed personal matters regarding their husbands, Siarhei Tsikhanouski and Ales Bialiatski. They also discussed ways to secure the release of political prisoners and how the international community could help in this regard. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am impressed by Natallia’s resilience and courage. I am grateful […]
May 01, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Never allow even minor violations of your rights”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today our country celebrates Labor Day, which originally symbolized the struggle for workers’ rights and the defense of social justice. However, in Belarus, we are faced with a tragic irony. While proclaiming May 1 a holiday, the government militantly suppresses independent trade unions and limits workers’ rights. Two years ago, the authorities liquidated […]
April 30, 2024
International humanitarian fund to support political prisoners and their families from Belarus was established in Norway
An international humanitarian fund to support Belarusian political prisoners and their families has been established in Norway at the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Support will include medical, material, and psychological assistance, as well as rehabilitation for individuals who have suffered political repression from the regime. During her working visit to Oslo, the Belarusian leader met […]
April 30, 2024
“The most important thing is that Belarusians did not give up”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at Committee on Foreign Affairs of Norwegian Parliament
During her visit to Oslo, the Belarusian leader addressed the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of Norway. In her speech, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the importance of isolating the regime on multiple fronts and described the appalling conditions faced by political prisoners in Belarus. The leader also mentioned the international campaign to support political […]
April 30, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Lukashenka is selling our country to Putin, piece by piece”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave speech before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense in Oslo: “Dear members of the Standing Committee on Foreign and Defense, Dear friends, It is an honor and privilege to address you today. And I know that I am among friends. Since the beginning of our revolution, Norway has stood with […]
April 30, 2024
Million dollars for independent media, Belarus in G7 communiqué. What did Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visits to Canada and Mallorca bring to Belarusians?
In a new video, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, speaks on the results of the work of the OST Foreign Policy Department during the visits to Canada and Mallorca. Following the visit, Canada announced 1 million CAD support for Belarus’ independent media, as well as new sanctions against the regime. In addition, Canada and […]
April 29, 2024
Norwegian Helsinki Committee initiated letter in defense of freedom of religion and beliefs in Belarus
On April 29, when Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Norwegian Helsinki Committee in Oslo, the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief, operating under the auspices of the committee, initiated a letter to be signed by parliamentarians from different countries. It responds to the new law adopted in Belarus, “Amending Laws on the […]
April 29, 2024
Marharyta Vorykhava became Vice-Chair of Bureau of Advisory Council on Youth of Council of Europe
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, participated in the meeting of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe in Budapest. During the event, Ms. Vorykhava was elected as the Vice-Chair of the Bureau, which is the governing body of the Council of Europe’s Advisory Council on Youth. The […]
April 29, 2024
Lithuanian Seimas against new restrictions on Belarusians, Chornobyl anniversary. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for April 22-28, 2024
LITHUANIAN SEIMAS DID NOT SUPPORT NEW RESTRICTIONS AGAINST BELARUSIANS The Seimas of Lithuania did not support new restrictions against Belarusians holding residence permits in Lithuania. The proposals included restrictions on travel to Belarus and allowed the migration authority to revoke the residence permits of Belarusians who frequently cross the border. Over the past few weeks, […]
April 27, 2024
Youth in politics and student rights advocacy. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with leaders of youth political organizations
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with leaders of youth political organizations in her Office in Vilnius. The meeting was also attended by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, and Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka. “It is important that the voice of youth is heard in political and other bodies, […]
April 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Together, we honor memory and commit to lessons of this tragedy”
In memory of the victims of the Chornobyl accident, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya initiated the laying of flowers at the Chornobyl Mother Monument in Vilnius. Alongside the Belarusian leader, the ceremony was attended by the Ambassador at Large for Belarus of Lithuania, ambassadors from Norway, Canada, Spain, Ireland, and Estonia, as well as representatives […]
April 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Every one of us needs the work that Viasna team and volunteers do every day”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks 28 years since one of the most prominent Belarusian organizations, Viasna, was founded. Over almost three decades of tireless work, the human rights center has united the destinies of countless people who need each other. I want to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to its establishment and work. […]
April 26, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Regime is turning our country into a humanitarian Chornobyl”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks the 38th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, which affected almost every Belarusian family. It was an example of the irresponsibility and impunity of the authorities, for which people had to pay the highest price. Although nearly 40 years have passed since the tragedy, unfortunately, it wouldn’t be true if we said […]
April 25, 2024
Anatoli Liabedzka: “Can you remember a decision by All-Belarusian Assembly that made you happier and richer – not Lukashenka, Kachanava, or Karpiankou?”
On April 24-25, the so-called All-Belarusian People’s Assembly took place in Minsk to approve the guidelines for Belarus’s domestic and foreign policies. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, comments on the results of the assembly: “Lukashenka and his propaganda vertical have openly and shamelessly admitted that Belarus is a dictatorship. […]
April 25, 2024
Lithuanian MPs voted against restrictions on Belarusians’ travel to home country
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Just now, the final vote has ended in the Lithuanian Seimas on amendments to the draft law regulating the legal status of Belarusians in the country. The amendments that, among other things, could restrict travel to Belarus, did not pass because they were not supported by a sufficient number of deputies. In recent […]
April 25, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will lay flowers at Chornobyl Mother Memorial in Vilnius on April 26
In memory of the victims of the Chornobyl disaster, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya initiates the laying of flowers at the Chornobyl Mother Memorial in Vilnius. The event will be attended by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team and foreign diplomats, Belarusian activists, representatives of civil society organizations, initiatives, and the media. The event will be open! If […]
April 24, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Maryia Kalesnikava’s birthday
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “April 24 is Maryia Kalesnikava’s birthday. The birthday of our Masha, whose radiant smile has become a source of support for thousands of Belarusians. If the regime is ‘not at war against women’, then how come it is the fourth year already that Masha spends this day behind bars? What is it if […]