Join the action in Vilnius to support political prisoners held incommunicado!
On March 9, 2025, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will hold an event in Vilnius to mark the second anniversary of Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s complete isolation. A similar event was held a year ago. Incommunicado detention is a form of torture that deprives political prisoners of basic rights to communicate with their families, lawyers, and the […]
March 06, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya honored the memory of Belarusians who fought for Italy’s freedom
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Italy ahead of an important historical milestone – the 80th anniversary of the country’s liberation from fascism. Belarusians also took part in this struggle. 81 years ago, 264 Belarusian soldiers lost their lives in the Battle of Monte Cassino. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya visited the Polish War Cemetery, where soldiers of Anders’ Army are […]
March 06, 2025
“If we lose the truth, we lose democracy”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her visit to Italy. Today, in Milan, she opened the Sakharov Prize award ceremony – a prestigious honor that Belarus’ democratic forces received in 2020. Since 1988, the European Parliament has awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the fight for human rights […]
March 05, 2025
Summary of the first day of Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Italy: Bologna
During her visit to Italy, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Bologna, where she met with Mayor Matteo Lepore, engaged with the local Belarusian diaspora, and participated in the presentation of the book “Belarus: Alive Between Dictatorship and Resistance”, published in Italian. She also visited the Polish War Cemetery, where soldiers of Anders’ Army are buried, and laid […]
March 05, 2025
Summary of the first day of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Italy: Florence
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Florence during her official trip to Italy. The leader met with Mayor Sara Funaro, who awarded her the Seal of Peace. This award, established in the 15th century in Florence, recognizes individuals who contribute to peace and human rights. Previous recipients include the Dalai Lama and Daisaku Ikeda. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the […]
March 04, 2025
“I am truly relieved to hear that Kseniya Lutskinа is finally safe”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am truly relieved to hear that Kseniya Lutskinа is finally safe. But it is heartbreaking that she had to leave her home to achieve that. Years of imprisonment have taken a serious toll on her health – without medical care, her chronic illness worsened, she developed pneumonia, and the tumor kept growing. […]
March 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to visit Italy
From March 3 to 6, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will visit four Italian cities as part of her working trip, during which she will hold a series of high-level meetings. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya will deliver a speech at the second meeting of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Alliance of Parliamentary Groups. This event will bring together representatives from […]
March 04, 2025
Monthly recap: February 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
Human Constanta and The Others (IshyYa) announced “Equality March”, a month dedicated to non-discrimination, equality, and inclusion. Belarusian diasporas worldwide marked International Mother Language Day with events and rallies. The team of Pamyłka, a popular science zine in Belarusian, announced the winners of the first-ever “Bison Higgs” public award for the popularization of Belarusian scientists […]
March 04, 2025
Meeting with a former political prisoner, address on the anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine, meeting at the Lithuanian Ministry of Education, and International Day of Solidarity with Belarus. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: February 24 – March 2
MEETING WITH ALENA MAUSHUK On February 27, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Alena Maushuk at her office in Vilnius. Alena, a mother of five, was arrested in 2020 along with her husband during a protest rally and later sentenced to six years in prison, losing her parental rights. She spent four and a half years behind […]
March 04, 2025
“The more actively women engage, the stronger our community becomes”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with women leading Belarusian NGOs ahead of the upcoming International Women’s Day. The meeting focused on key issues and challenges faced by civil society and the role of women in Belarus’ society and politics. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya and the participants of the meeting discussed: Support for Belarusians in exile, including coordination between NGOs […]
March 03, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich
Svetlana Alexievich is the first Belarusian writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. In 2015, the Swedish Academy honored her “for her polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time”. Over the years, Ms. Alexievich has gifted the literary world six works from her cycle “The Chronicle of the Big Utopia”, […]
March 01, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with former political prisoner Alena Maushuk
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with former political prisoner Alena Maushuk in Vilnius. Alena, a mother of five, was arrested in 2020 along with her husband during a protest rally and later sentenced to six years in prison, losing her parental rights. She spent four and a half years behind bars, where she was deprived of visits […]
February 27, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s World NGO Day address
“Civil society has always been the heart of Belarus. It is made up of volunteers who help those in need by supporting pensioners and people with disabilities, providing educational opportunities for children and youth, defending human rights, and fostering culture and education. These are dedicated, inspired individuals who make our society open, strong, and united. […]
February 27, 2025
The Lukashenka regime at the UN Human Rights Council session: An attempt to legitimize repression amid crimes against humanity
Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced its participation in the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council. In Geneva, Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov intends to discuss, among other topics, “current approaches” to the Council’s activities, as well as Belarus’ stance on regional and global security issues. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office reiterates the following: Belarus systematically […]
February 27, 2025
Meeting with ambassadors in Vilnius, visit to Sweden, International Mother Language Day. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for February 17-23
MEETING WITH AMBASSADORS Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with ambassadors and heads of missions from 25 countries in Vilnius to discuss ways to secure the release of political prisoners, the military and political situation in the region, and support for independent media. She emphasized that sanctions must remain in force to keep pressure on the regime until […]
February 24, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the third anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine
“Talking about war is not easy. Sometimes it seems like nothing new can be said. From childhood, we are taught that war is a tragedy and that nothing can justify brutal bloodshed, ruined cities, and endless deaths. In schools and universities, we hear about the value of human life. So how has this full-scale war […]
February 24, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s World Day of Social Justice address
“Justice is more than a legal term or an abstract concept. Justice is the foundation of a democratic and free society that we strive for. Belarusians know well what injustice is. We see the consequences of inequality and the suppression of rights. Indifference to people breeds repression and oppression. Lack of justice leads to a […]
February 20, 2025
“The repression machinery continues to operate against Belarusians both inside the country and beyond its borders”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met in Vilnius with ambassadors and heads of missions from 25 countries accredited in Lithuania. The now-traditional meeting with the diplomatic corps was organized by the Embassy of Poland, which currently holds the EU Presidency. The discussions during the briefing covered: The situation of political prisoners in Belarus and the efforts to secure […]
February 20, 2025
“Women are not a footnote in revolutions. We are their foundation!”
At the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the panel discussion “Catalysts for Change: The Power of Women’s Political Movements in the Fight for Freedom”. The event focused on strategies and experiences of women’s initiatives in building and strengthening democratic governance. Alongside Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the discussion featured: Evgenia Kara-Murza – human rights advocate, Advocacy […]
February 20, 2025
Political prisoner release, Munich Security Conference, visits to Brussels and Paris. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for February 10-16
RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS On February 12, three political prisoners in Belarus were announced to have been released: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Andrei Kuznechyk, mother of multiple children Alena Maushuk, and an unnamed United States citizen. All of them are now in a safe place. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am deeply grateful to President Trump, […]
February 19, 2025
“This is exactly how I envision my Belarus – a European country without political prisoners or tyranny, where people can live freely and strengthen democracy”
During the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the panel discussion “Never Waste a Quarter-Life Crisis: New Solutions in a Polarized Century”, which focused on how crises can become opportunities for rethinking and defending fundamental values. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that Belarus is an integral part of Europe and needs support […]
February 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with key members of both chambers of the US Congress
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held meetings with the chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the United States House of Representatives and Senate – Brian Mast (House) and Jim Risch (Senate), both representing the Republican Party. The meetings took place during the Munich Security Conference, focusing on Ukraine peace negotiations and Belarus’ role in the process. Ms. […]
February 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia General Keith Kellogg
During the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with General Keith Kellogg, who serves in President Trump’s administration as the US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. His responsibilities include overseeing peace negotiations on Ukraine. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya highlighted the successful release of three hostages from prison in Belarus, including two political prisoners, and expressed gratitude […]
February 16, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Proposed to the UN High Commissioner to Join the Efforts for the Release of Political Prisoners
During the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk. She handed over documents from Belarusian human rights defenders regarding the latest wave of repression, the situation in prisons, and lists of political prisoners in critical condition. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that the situation is catastrophic and requires immediate […]
February 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meetings during the Munich Security Conference
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her active work at the Munich Security Conference. She has met with several key politicians from Europe and the US, including the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen; the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas; the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof; the Foreign Secretary […]
February 15, 2025
Belarus at the Munich Security Conference – an issue that must resonate worldwide
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her participation in the Munich Security Conference by joining the panel “Belarus Beyond 2025 Elections: Catalyst For Change Or Pawn”. The panel brought together influential European politicians, diplomats, and experts to analyze Belarus’ future in the evolving geopolitical context. The discussion focused on the following questions: Should Belarus be viewed through the […]
February 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern Europe Christopher Smith
“Today in Vilnius, I met with Christopher W. Smith. Yesterday, Mr. Smith was in Minsk on a ‘special mission’ to secure the release of our political prisoners, Alena Maushuk and Andrei Kuznechyk, as well as a US citizen. I expressed my gratitude to Mr. Smith for his efforts, cooperation, and coordination with my Office, and […]
February 13, 2025
“No decisions regarding Belarus can be made without Belarusians!” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to speak on the main stage of the Munich Security Conference
The Munich Security Conference is one of the world’s most important platforms for discussing key challenges in foreign policy and security. This year, the event is particularly significant, as discussions will focus on peace in Ukraine and the situation in the region. Moreover, for the first time in four years, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will take the […]
February 13, 2025
Andrei Kuznechyk and Alena Maushuk are free!
“Wonderful news! Today, we welcome three hostages of the regime back to freedom – journalist Andrei Kuznechyk, activist Alena Maushuk, and a United States citizen whose name has not yet been disclosed. I have been informed that all three are now safe in Vilnius. They are being assisted by representatives of the United States embassy, […]
February 13, 2025