“The easiest thing to do is give in to despair and give up. But we cannot afford to do this”
A rally for the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners took place in Vilnius. May 21 will mark 4 years since political prisoner Vitold Ashurak died behind bars at the hands of the regime. Participants honored the memory of the people who died in prison and expressed solidarity with everyone who remains imprisoned. A symbolic […]
May 18, 2025
“I am proud to represent Belarus and Belarusians here”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the European Political Community Summit
“I am proud to represent Belarus and Belarusians here. All the discussions are about security: how to stop the war, how to help Ukraine, and how to protect democracy in Europe. I stressed: Belarus is part of Europe. And Europe’s security is impossible without a free Belarus. At this historic moment, it is important that […]
May 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meetings during the European Political Community Summit in Albania
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the 6th European Political Community Summit in Tirana. This is one of Europe’s most important political platforms, where the leaders of 47 countries and heads of major international organizations come together to seek common responses to today’s challenges, from democratic security to geopolitical resilience. This year’s event brought together key […]
May 17, 2025
Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus: Join the events on May 18–24
May 21 is the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners. Belarusians around the world are holding various events – film screenings, performances, runs, and vigils – to show support. We’ve compiled a growing list of diaspora-led events – join in if it’s safe for you! 📌 May 18 🇱🇹 Vilnius, 11:00 – “Helping Hand” Rally, […]
May 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Impact Conference in Poznań
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is taking part in the International Impact Conference for the second time. This year, it is taking place in Poznań on May 14–15. Impact brings together thought leaders, politicians, and experts from around the world. Among this year’s speakers are Barack Obama, Francis Fukuyama, Radosław Sikorski, John Kerry, Anne Applebaum, and others. Ms. […]
May 17, 2025
“True equality is only possible in a democracy”. Forum on Belarusian women’s role in the fight for freedom took place in Prague
On May 15, 2025, a landmark event titled “Her Story, Our Future: Belarusian Women Making a Difference” took place at the French Institute in Prague. The forum brought together leaders and activists of the Belarusian democratic community to honor the role of women in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Belarus. The three-hour event […]
May 16, 2025
Leanid Marozau’s statement on the regime’s plans to use extradition agreements for transnational repression
The Lukashenka regime in Belarus has announced its plans to sign bilateral extradition agreements with nine countries: Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Brazil, Cambodia, and Nicaragua, as well as with South Africa, Korea (unspecified which one), and Sri Lanka. The Belarusian Parliament also ratified a similar agreement with Pakistan yesterday. Comment by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Belarus referendum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Thirty years ago, a referendum was held in Belarus that resulted in changing the state symbols, deepening economic integration with Russia, and granting the Russian language equal status with Belarusian. That was the moment Lukashenka chose the direction for the country’s future – and from that point on, the will of the people […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Gunther Krichbaum
During her visit to Luxembourg, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with Germany’s new State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office, Gunther Krichbaum. The meeting served as an opportunity to establish contact with representatives of the new German government and coordinate steps to support democratic change in Belarus. Mr. Krichbaum and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed: Belarus’ position […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Alexandre Fasel
Continuing her series of international engagements, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Switzerland’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Alexandre Fasel. They discussed key issues related to the situation in Belarus and the broader international context: Lukashenka’s role in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the prospects for democratic change in Belarus under current conditions; International efforts, including those […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the death of former political prisoner Tamara Karavai
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I’ve just learned the tragic news — Tamara Karavai has passed away, a former political prisoner who spent nearly two years behind bars. Tamara was sent to prison for nothing more than a ‘like’ on the internet. She was sentenced to serve time – and then, three months before her term was up, […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Theodoros Rousopoulos
As part of her high-level political meetings, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Rousopoulos. The meeting focused on further and deeper cooperation between PACE and Belarus’ democratic forces. The parties discussed: Preparations for the June PACE session and continued cooperation, including the participation […]
May 15, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Luxembourg
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her visit to Luxembourg. As part of her high-level political engagements, she held talks with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Rousopoulos. The central focus of their discussion was the strategic cooperation between the democratic forces of Belarus and the Council of Europe. This partnership already […]
May 15, 2025
Roundtable on gender equality and future reforms in Belarus took place in Tallinn
The Representation of Democratic Belarus in Estonia hosted a roundtable titled “A Future Without Discrimination: Discussing Legislative Reforms to Protect LGBTQ+ Rights in Belarus”. Participants included Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative for Estonia and Latvia, Vitaly Malchanau; the First Deputy Representative on Social Policy of the United Transitional Cabinet, Yuliya Mitskevich; representatives of Belarusian and Estonian NGOs […]
May 15, 2025
Luxembourg allocated €250,000 to support political prisoners in Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel. The parties discussed ways to support the Belarusian people, advance Belarus’ European integration, and hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its crimes. Minister Bettel announced that Luxembourg is joining the International Humanitarian Fund and has already allocated €250,000 to support […]
May 14, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to take part in the Council of Europe’s Ministerial Session for the first time
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has begun her working visit to Luxembourg to take part in the Council of Europe’s Ministerial Session, where the establishment of a tribunal for Russia’s crimes against Ukraine will be announced. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya will address the ministers to explain and highlight the co-aggressor role of the Lukashenka regime in the war and emphasize […]
May 14, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s International Nurses Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Nurses’ work is the backbone of the entire healthcare system. Yet they often remain invisible. This profession demands knowledge, resilience, quick decision-making, and compassion. We must remember that a nurse is not a ‘junior medical worker’ but an independent professional – someone essential in every hospital, clinic, and emergency unit. In Belarus, unfortunately, […]
May 13, 2025
Visits to the United States and Latvia, release of political prisoners, Victory Day. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: May 4–11
VICTORY DAY ADDRESS On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians with important reflections on war, peace, and our responsibility to history: “I see how in Belarus this date is being turned into yet another show with loud slogans and military equipment. But peace is not born from […]
May 13, 2025
Support for the repressed and solidarity with Belarus: Key outcomes of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Latvia
On May 9, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was on a working trip to Latvia, meeting with the Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament), visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and speaking at the event “The Role of Belarus in the Political and Security Architecture of Europe: Perspectives from the Baltic Region”. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced […]
May 10, 2025
“Belarus is not a Russian pawn. We have the right to self-determination, just like every European nation”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the plenary session of the Baltic Assembly in Riga, where MPs from more than 15 countries participated. She emphasized that only a democratic Belarus can become a reliable partner for Europe and a guarantor of regional security. Below are the key points from Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s speech. Belarus is part of Europe, not […]
May 10, 2025
“All we want is to give Belarusians the chance to choose their own future”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her working visit to Riga. After opening the Art from Behind Bars exhibition, she attended the event “The Role of Belarus in the Political and Security Architecture of Europe: Perspectives from the Baltic Region”, organized by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of […]
May 10, 2025
“This exhibition is a journey into the inner world of people whose only ‘crime’ was dreaming of a free and just Belarus”
During her visit to Riga, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya opened the exhibition Art from Behind Bars, organized by the Community of Belarusians in Latvia Supolka and the Viasna Human Rights Center. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that art has been the soul of the Belarusian protest and a form of resistance – even in prison. She […]
May 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Latvian parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Riga with a productive meeting with the Latvian parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”. She thanked the Latvian MPs for supporting Belarusians in exile – particularly for the legislative exemptions they have provided, as well as for their assistance to political prisoners and principled stance toward the regime. […]
May 09, 2025
“World War II is a pain that must remind us: War should never be a way to solve problems”
On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians with important reflections on war, peace, and our responsibility to history: “World War II is a wound that never heals. It is a pain that must remind us: War should never be a way to solve problems. Our grandparents did […]
May 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the election of Robert Francis Prevost as the Pope
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Your Holiness, I sincerely congratulate you on your election as pontiff and on your new solemn responsibility and service. Without a doubt, your appointment is a significant event not only for Catholics but for all Christians – and indeed for every person on Earth. Your voice will be heard by millions. And among […]
May 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met President George W. Bush in Dallas
During her visit to the United States, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, in Dallas. The meeting lasted over an hour and a half and focused on the situation in Belarus, the fight for freedom and democracy, and Belarus’ role in regional security. Key topics discussed included: […]
May 09, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked the United States administration for its role in freeing political prisoners
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern European Affairs, Christopher Smith, who oversees the United States’ policy on Belarus under the new administration. Among other responsibilities, Mr. Smith works on the release of political prisoners in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked the new US administration for its role in securing the […]
May 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Washington: Meetings with members of Congress, senators, and representatives of the new administration
During her visit to Washington, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a series of meetings with members of the United States Congress, the State Department, and think tanks. This was her first visit since the new US administration came to power. The visit aimed to strengthen the bilateral Strategic Dialogue, discuss further steps for the release of political […]
May 08, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian diaspora in Washington
As part of her visit to Washington, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian diaspora and presented awards from the United Transitional Cabinet to distinguished compatriots. The ceremony also featured representatives of Belarusian communities and initiatives, diplomats, and members of the Department of State. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya acknowledged the contributions of the Belarusian diaspora in Washington: “I […]
May 08, 2025