April 27, 2026
“Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Viasna Human Rights Center”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Viasna Human Rights Center. Thirty years ago, this organization emerged because someone had to stand on the side of people when the state abandoned that role. Unfortunately, over all these years, the state has never returned to the people’s side. But Viasna has never left it. […]
April 26, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster
On the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addresses Belarusians, recalling her personal memories and warning about the risks linked to the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant and the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus: “When Chornobyl happened, I was only three years old. I do not remember the explosion itself, but I […]
April 26, 2026
Overview of developments in education and science: March 2026
This overview presents the key developments in education and science in March 2026, divided into two sections — developments within Belarus and those beyond its borders. The overview was prepared by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Pavel Tereshkovich. DEVELOPMENTS IN BELARUS ONLINE PORTAL OF BELARUSIAN FAIRY TALES The National Academy of Sciences of […]
April 26, 2026
Political statement “For an Independent and Nuclear-Free Belarus”
The catastrophe at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant 40 years ago demonstrated what nuclear power becomes in the hands of an authoritarian regime. Chornobyl became a symbol of irresponsibility and betrayal, a symbol of the danger posed by the uncontrolled use of nuclear energy. Today, the Lukashenka regime continues the same irresponsible policy. Over 32 […]
April 25, 2026
Belarusians in Vilnius joined the environmental initiative “Mes Darom”
The environmental campaign “Mes Darom” took place in Vilnius. The Belarusian community joined it, as well as: Dzianis Kuchynski, Director of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Lithuania; Anatoli Liabedzka, Parliamentary Cooperation Advisor; Dzmitry Kuchuk, Non-Staff Environmental Advisor. “Mes Darom” is the Lithuanian part of the international movement “Let’s Do It World”, which unites millions of people […]
April 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a concert by Irdorath
In Warsaw, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a concert by Irdorath, a Belarusian band whose members used to be political prisoners. Before the performance, she spoke with the musicians about their journey, life after imprisonment, and what their work and creative process look like in exile today. The band presented Ms. Tsikhanouskaya with a book about Belarusian […]
April 25, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Lavon Volski’s exhibition in Warsaw
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the exhibition “The Forest Hears, the Field Sees” by renowned Belarusian musician and artist Lavon Volski, currently on display at the Free Belarus Museum in Warsaw. The exhibition features a series of twelve paintings, each inspired by a specific Belarusian proverb or saying. The project combines visual art with folk wisdom, offering […]
April 25, 2026
Addressing issues affecting Belarusians in Lithuania
On April 23–24, Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski held a series of political meetings, also attended by Dzianis Kuchynski and Anatoli Liabedzka of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. The meetings took place with Lithuania’s Minister of the Interior, Vladislav Kondratovič; Speaker of the Seimas, Juozas Olekas; and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Audra Plepytė. The focus was on […]
April 23, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Belarusian NGOs in Białystok
On April 22, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Białystok-based representatives of Belarusian NGOs and initiatives in an introductory Q&A format. More than 40 representatives of cultural, media, educational, human rights, and civic initiatives took part in the discussion. The meeting focused on the current realities of Belarusian projects in the region and their most pressing challenges: […]
April 23, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Tutaka Foundation in Białystok
On April 22, during her visit to Białystok, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of the Tutaka Foundation and discussed their current projects. The meeting also addressed this year’s festival preparations: the program, partners, support, and cooperation with local authorities, as well as organizational changes — including the fact that the festival will be ticketed for […]
April 22, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended Viasna’s 30th anniversary and awarded the Cross of Freedom to Ales Bialiatski
On April 21, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a ceremony in Warsaw dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Viasna Human Rights Center. She congratulated Viasna’s members on the anniversary, highlighted their key role in the Belarusian human rights community, and emphasized that Viasna has become a symbol of support for Belarusians facing persecution. She […]
April 22, 2026
Dzianis Kuchynski met with Nordic Council President Ville Väyrynen in Vilnius
In Vilnius, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, held a meeting with the new President of the Nordic Council, Ville Väyrynen. The Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, Ole Andersen Lindeman, also joined the discussions. The meeting took place on the sidelines of a conference marking the 35th anniversary of cooperation […]
April 22, 2026
Dzianis Kuchynski met with Lithuania’s Vice Foreign Minister Audra Plepytė
On April 17, the Director of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius, Dzianis Kuchynski, held a meeting with Lithuania’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Audra Plepytė. They discussed support for Belarusians and coordination of efforts across key international tracks. Key topics discussed included: assistance to released political prisoners and migration-related issues, including legal stay and integration […]
April 22, 2026
Belarusian democratic forces at the Global Progressive Mobilization
At the invitation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, following his meeting with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a delegation of the democratic forces — Diplomatic Advisor Dzianis Kuchynski and newly appointed Head of the Democratic Belarus Mission in Madrid Tatsiana Marynich — took part in the Global Progressive Mobilization. This marks the first participation of representatives of […]
April 22, 2026
Human rights hearing in Canada, meeting with Secretary General Mathieu Mori. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: April 13–19
HUMAN RIGHTS HEARING IN CANADA On April 13, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a hearing at the Parliament of Canada on the global human rights situation and addressed Canadian MPs and officials with proposals to: continue pressure on the regime: maintain a firm stance and work toward the release of all political prisoners and an […]
April 20, 2026
Meeting with Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe Mathieu Mori
The Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Mathieu Mori, held a meeting in Vilnius with the democratic forces of Belarus. Representatives of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transitional Cabinet, and civil society initiatives participated in the meeting. On behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, its […]
April 19, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the enlarged summit of the European People’s Party ahead of the European Council meeting
On March 19, during her visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in an enlarged summit of the European People’s Party (EPP), held ahead of the European Council meeting. This is a coordination meeting of EPP leaders before key European Union decisions. In a closed, informal format, heads of state and government, EU institutional leaders, […]
April 16, 2026
Anatoli Liabedzka joined a discussion on the Coordination Council election
On April 15, the Expert Club of the European Dialogue Center hosted a new discussion in Vilnius, dedicated to the role of the Coordination Council within the democratic forces. Representatives of political parties and initiatives took part in the discussion. Participants discussed the upcoming Coordination Council election, political parties’ attitudes toward it, as well as […]
April 14, 2026
Visit to Madrid, work on residency issues in Lithuania. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: April 6–12
VISIT TO MADRID On April 6–8, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a visit to Madrid, Spain. She held a series of high-level bilateral meetings. With Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the situation of political prisoners, engagement with the United States, and the situation of Belarusians in Spain. With Senate President Pedro Rollán Ojeda, discussions focused […]
April 14, 2026
“Belarus is a vivid example of what happens when democracy is disregarded”
On April 13, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a hearing in the Parliament of Canada on the global human rights situation. She spoke about mass repression and how the regime has turned the country into a launchpad for Russian aggression. She also noted that despite recent releases, persecution in the country has not stopped. Sviatlana […]
April 13, 2026
Christ is Risen. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wishes Belarusians a Happy Easter
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “From time to time, we all need a miracle — even a small one — that can support us and give us strength to move forward. And these miracles do happen: we just need to be attentive enough to notice them and believe in the best. May this holiday strengthen our faith that […]
April 11, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wishes Ivonka Survila a happy 90th birthday
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated the Chair of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, Ivonka Survila, on her 90th birthday. They connected via video call. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Ivonka Survila for her many years of work for Belarus and Belarusians. They discussed the situation in Belarus and in the world, as well as the need to […]
April 11, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the 15th anniversary of the Minsk metro tragedy
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today is a day of remembrance and pain that has lived in our hearts for 15 years. We remember those who were killed in Minsk 15 years ago. Fifteen people. Ordinary individuals who were simply on their way home, hurrying to their loved ones, living their everyday lives, making plans. Their lives were […]
April 10, 2026
Addressing legal stay issues in Lithuania: Dzianis Kuchynski met with Migration Department Director Indrė Gasperė
On April 10, the Director of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Lithuania, Dzianis Kuchynski, held a meeting with the Director of the Migration Department of Lithuania, Indrė Gasperė. On behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Dzianis Kuchynski expressed gratitude to the Migration Department for its work and, in particular, for its assistance in the residency legalization of former […]
April 10, 2026
“For an Independent and Nuclear-Free Belarus”: Organizing Committee for the Chornobyl Way rallies convened by the democratic forces
A meeting of the Organizing Committee for the Chornobyl Way rallies, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, has taken place. Representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, environmental NGOs, and the Belarusian diaspora participated in the meeting. The Organizing Committee is to define common messages and formats for the events, as well as to […]
April 09, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a lecture at IE University in Madrid
As part of her visit to Madrid, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a lecture at IE University titled “Leadership in Exile: The Fight for Democracy in Belarus”. IE University is a private international university in Spain, known for its programs in business, international relations, law, and technology. The lecture gathered more than 60 members of the academic […]
April 09, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
On April 7, during her visit to Madrid, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez. As the Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, she thanked PM Sánchez for supporting a free Belarus, for consistent assistance to Ukraine, and for a principled stance toward the Aliaksandr Lukashenka regime. She also expressed gratitude […]
April 09, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Spanish Senate President Pedro Rollán Ojeda
During her visit to Madrid, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the President of the Spanish Senate, Pedro Rollán Ojeda. The meeting was also attended by Diplomatic Advisor Dzianis Kuchynski, Parliamentary Cooperation Advisor Anatoli Liabedzka, Chief Advisor Franak Viacorka, and Imaguru Founder Tania Marinich, who represents the Belarusian community in Madrid and has been nominated as the […]
April 09, 2026
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares
On April 7, during her visit to Madrid, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares. She spoke about the releases of political prisoners, as well as the challenges they face after their release or deportation from the country. She thanked Minister Albares for Spain’s €50,000 contribution to the International Humanitarian […]