“Solidarity among women is our strategy”: Key messages on women’s leadership from the Stockholm Forum
The Women’s Empowerment and Democracy for Belarus Forum 2025 took place on June 16–17 in Stockholm. Alongside Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the event was also attended by her Office’s representatives, including Marharyta Vorykhava, Kryścina Šyjanok, and Stanislava Hlinnik. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Solidarity among women is more than kindness. It is power. It is our strategy. It is how […]
June 18, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on the fifth anniversary of Viktar and Eduard Babaryka’s arrest
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Five years behind bars, without loved ones – left only with memories of their former lives. So much has changed during this time. Many Belarusians have left their homes, changed jobs. Some have grown more interested in the Belarusian language, others have begun learning foreign ones. Some have become numb to others’ pain, […]
June 18, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Sweden’s Prime Minister and Minister for EU Affairs
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz – who serves in the Prime Minister’s Office – met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the government headquarters in Stockholm. The meeting focused on the following issues: Strategies for securing the release of political prisoners and supporting them; Migration issues faced by Belarusians in […]
June 18, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Sweden’s Foreign Minister launched a new leadership program for Belarusian women
During the Women Empowerment & Democracy for Belarus Forum 2025, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Maria Malmer Stenergard announced the launch of a new leadership development program for Belarusian women, supported by the Swedish government. Ten women leaders were selected through an open call, including journalists, activists, human rights defenders, and cultural figures. They will now begin […]
June 18, 2025
“We want a Belarus where women lead, make decisions, and shape the future”
The Women Empowerment & Democracy for Belarus Forum 2025 opened today in Stockholm, dedicated to the role of Belarusian women in the struggle for democracy. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a welcome address, reflecting on her personal experience, the challenges faced by women in politics. She called for true equality – not as a foreign concept but […]
June 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusian diaspora in Sweden
A heartfelt meeting with the Belarusian diaspora in Stockholm became a key moment of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Sweden, alongside political meetings and the Women’s Forum. The conversation focused on current issues facing Belarusians abroad, and the democratic leader answered numerous questions and shared her vision for the future. “Such warmth, unity, and deep faith […]
June 17, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Women Empowerment and Democracy for Belarus Forum in Stockholm
On June 16–17, Stockholm is hosting the Women Empowerment and Democracy for Belarus Forum 2025 — an international platform focused on the role of Belarusian women in the struggle for democracy. Participants are discussing political leadership, human rights protection, and the upcoming Women’s Leadership Program for Belarus – a practical step toward strengthening women’s voices […]
June 17, 2025
Visit to Sweden: Meeting with the group “For a Democratic Belarus” and a rally in support of Ukraine
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is currently on a working visit to Sweden, where she has already met with the local parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”. The focus of the discussions included support for Belarusians living in Sweden, cooperation with the Riksdag, and partnerships with the Nordic Council countries. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya outlined practical steps Swedish MPs can […]
June 17, 2025
EU–Belarus Consultative Group meeting, Brussels Forum 2025, response to TikTok restrictions in Belarus. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: June 9–15
VISIT TO BRUSSELS On June 11–12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a working visit to Brussels, where the 5th meeting of the EU–Belarus Consultative Group took place. In addition to broader topics like the release of political prisoners and regional security, the meeting addressed practical issues faced by Belarusians, including visas, scholarships, legal stay, and support for […]
June 16, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented proposals to Swedish delegations to PACE and the OSCE PA
On the first day of her visit to Sweden, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with members of Sweden’s delegations to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. During the meeting, she called for practical actions in support of democratic change in Belarus and presented seven key proposals: Speak within PACE […]
June 16, 2025
Women Empowerment and Democracy for Belarus Forum
On June 16–17, Stockholm will host the high-level Women Empowerment and Democracy for Belarus Forum 2025. The event is organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in partnership with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and the Gender Equality Group of the United Transitional Cabinet, […]
June 16, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Medical Worker Day address
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Dear medical professionals, I know how difficult it is to work in healthcare right now. Medical workers have become hostages of politics. Many have been dismissed, some forced into exile, others face persecution. Meanwhile, the regime is only making the situation worse. More than 5,000 healthcare workers were fired in April alone. Medical […]
June 16, 2025
Dzianis Kuchynski joined a solidarity bike ride for politically imprisoned journalists in Belarus
A solidarity bike ride took place today in Vilnius in support of journalists imprisoned in Belarus. The event was organized by the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) and marked its 30th anniversary. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, also joined the ride. Freedom for journalists! Freedom for all political prisoners!
June 16, 2025
New wave of anti-“social parasitism” policy in Belarus: Comment from Volha Zazulinskaya
The regime has intensified pressure on so-called “social parasites” – people who, for various reasons, are not officially employed. Reports are increasingly emerging about people being added to the lists of “parasites”, particularly those working abroad. Volha Zazulinskaya, Representative for Social Issues of the United Transitional Cabinet, responds to six key questions about this trend. […]
June 14, 2025
“Security, democracy, and prosperity are interconnected and cannot exist without one another”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Brussels Forum 2025
On the second day of her working visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Brussels Forum 2025, organized by the German Marshall Fund of the United States. This year marks the 20th edition of the forum – one of the key platforms for dialogue between political leaders, experts, and civil society representatives. The […]
June 12, 2025
5th meeting of the EU Consultative Group on Belarus took place in Brussels
The EU Consultative Group on Belarus has convened in Brussels, bringing together representatives of Belarus’ democratic forces and civil society and European institutions. This year’s meetings focus on: The political situation in Belarus and regional security; Visa mobility for Belarusians in the EU; The state of independent media and efforts to counter propaganda; Support for […]
June 11, 2025
Meeting in the Lithuanian Seimas, Lustration Concept, roundtable in Estonia. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: June 2–8
MEETING IN THE LITHUANIAN SEIMAS An extended meeting of the Cross-Party Parliamentary Group “For a Democratic Belarus” took place in the Lithuanian Seimas. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the democratic forces of Belarus joined it to discuss support for political prisoners, Belarusian-language education, the legal status of Belarusian volunteer fighters in Ukraine, and possible agreements […]
June 09, 2025
Football match in support of imprisoned Belarusian journalists took place in Vilnius
On June 5, a friendly football match took place between Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and the Lithuanian Seimas. Representing the Office were Franak Viacorka, Anatoli Liabedzka, and Dzianis Kuchynski, joined by civil society activists. Before the game, a solidarity action was held in support of Belarusian journalists who are imprisoned for their work of telling the […]
June 06, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Belarusian civil society met with the “For a Democratic Belarus” group in the Lithuanian Seimas
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya regularly visits the Seimas in Vilnius to both raise important issues faced by Belarusians and work with leading Lithuanian politicians to find solutions. Today, she joined a session of the Cross-Party Parliamentary Group “For a Democratic Belarus”, together with representatives of Belarusian civil society, Seimas deputies, and members of the Committee on Foreign […]
June 05, 2025
Join the football match in Vilnius in support of imprisoned Belarusian journalists
This Thursday, June 5, a football match will take place in Vilnius between members of the Lithuanian Seimas and the team from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. The match is held to show support for journalists in Belarus who have been imprisoned simply for telling the truth. Come cheer them on and express your solidarity with political […]
June 04, 2025
Monthly recap: May 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
Belarusian experts created a knowledge base on “extremism”, systematizing legal norms and enforcement practices related to “extremism” designations in Belarus. The Freelance Journalist Group and Belarusian human rights defenders issued guidelines on resisting recruitment attempts by security services. The Viasna Human Rights Center published a timeline review of how solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus […]
June 03, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the Polish presidential election results
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I closely followed how the election in Poland unfolded and was genuinely impressed. Our neighbors carried out a transparent political process where every vote mattered, every voice was heard, and the media freely covered not just the decisive contest between Karol Nawrocki and Rafał Trzaskowski but the entire electoral period. This is exactly […]
June 03, 2025
Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s arrest anniversary, Lustration Concept, Charlemagne Prize ceremony. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: May 26 – June 1
ANNIVERSARY OF SIARHEI TSIKHANOUSKI’S ARREST May 29 marked five years since Siarhei Tsikhanouski was arrested. In her address, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shared personal reflections about her husband and their journey, calling on Belarusians to remember the people imprisoned for speaking the truth. She also thanked Belarusians and the international community for their continued support, stressing that […]
June 02, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s World Children’s Day address
On World Children’s Day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shares the story of her and Siarhei’s children, Karnei and Ahniya — a story of how the regime destroys the childhoods of young Belarusians. She calls on everyone not to remain indifferent and stand up for children’s right to freedom, happiness, and a real childhood. Watch the full address […]
June 02, 2025
New Belarus Conference 2025 to take place in August: Help shape the agenda!
As in previous years, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office will host the New Belarus Conference in early August — the largest platform for strategic dialogue, discussion of Belarus’ future, and coordination among the democratic forces and civil society. You can already help shape what will be discussed at the conference! Fill out this short anonymous form to: […]
May 31, 2025
Lustration Concept for Belarus: Public discussion is open
After decades of impunity, falsifications, and repression, Belarus needs more than just a change of leadership – it needs a new, honest, and just system. Lustration is not about revenge; it is a way to protect the country from repeating the past. Belarusians must know who was involved in human rights violations and electoral fraud […]
May 30, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony in Aachen
Today in Aachen, the prestigious International Charlemagne Prize was awarded in a formal ceremony. The prize is presented annually in recognition of significant contributions to European unity. Past recipients include prominent political leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, Dalia Grybauskaitė, Donald Tusk, Angela Merkel, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, as well as Pope Francis and the European […]
May 29, 2025
“The day that divided our family’s life into ‘before’ and ‘after’”
Five years ago, on May 29, 2020, Siarhei Tsikhanouski was detained during a pre-election rally in Hrodna. He has been behind bars ever since. He was sentenced to 19.5 years in prison — for daring to dream of building a country to live in. Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya opens up about the personal story. About a […]
May 29, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on the tragedy in Yelsk
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am deeply shocked by the tragedy that occurred in Yelsk. A 14-year-old girl who sought medical help never returned home. The hospital lacked the necessary specialists; they were called in from other cities but tragically, her life could not be saved. This horrifying story highlights the systemic issues in Belarus’ healthcare system. […]
May 27, 2025