“That’s not true”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya debunked misconceptions about Belarus at the Pact of Free Cities Summit in Tirana
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Albania, where the Pact of Free Cities Summit is taking place. The event serves as a platform for politicians, diplomats, and experts to discuss critical political and social issues. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya took part in an interactive discussion with mayors and 80 young political activists. The session focused on […]
February 06, 2025
Monthly recap: January 2025. Key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian activists and NGOs
A series of notable events marked January 2025. Below are the key updates from the Belarusian democratic community. The Free Belarus Centre has launched ТЭМА#1 campaign together with its partners. The Belarusian Association of Journalists has published a safety guide in Facebook, Signal and Telegram. The Belarusian Association of Journalists has started monitoring of […]
February 05, 2025
“Just as Poland once walked its path to freedom, so too will Belarusians”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Kościuszko Forum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is in Gdańsk on a working visit. Her program began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to the shipyard workers of the city who lost their lives during the tragic events of December 1970, when the military used firearms to brutally suppress protests against the communist regime. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, together with European […]
February 04, 2025
Outcomes of the 2025 “presidential election” in Belarus
On January 26, 2025, a so-called “presidential election” took place in Belarus. It was a staged performance designed to keep Lukashenka in power and was defined by widespread fraud and repression. New laws criminalized independent vote counting and calls for a boycott. The results were predetermined, independent observation was banned, and election commissions were composed […]
February 04, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Nordic-Baltic envoys and ambassadors in Vilnius
On January 31, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya hosted envoys and ambassadors from the Nordic-Baltic countries at her office. The meeting participants included: Grete Sillasen (Denmark) Hermann Ingólfsson (Iceland) Jaana Teckenberg (Finland) Gunta Pastore (Latvia) Marko Koplimaa (Estonia) Lars Christensen (Norway) Asta Andrijauskienė (Lithuania) Anna Kozłowska-Słupek (Poland) Christina Johannesson (Sweden) The discussions focused on: 🔹 Non-recognition of the […]
February 03, 2025
Report on sham election, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Belarusian delegation at PACE. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for January 27 – February 2
2025 SHAM ELECTION On January 26, a so-called “presidential election” took place in Belarus. It was not recognized by the international community and failed to restore Lukashenka’s legitimacy. In response, the democratic forces launched the “Belarusians Deserve Better” campaign, opposing the fraudulent election. The campaign culminated in a forum in Warsaw and a march on […]
February 03, 2025
Belarus election 2025: Unchanged – repression and fraud continue
The Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Viasna Human Rights Center have released a preliminary report on the 2025 election in Belarus as part of the “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” campaign. The findings highlight the lack of democratic voting conditions and record widespread violations. Key findings are as follows: The “election” did not meet […]
February 03, 2025
“Eduard Babaryka is spending his birthday behind bars for the fifth time”
“Eduard Babaryka is spending his birthday behind bars for the fifth time. He is serving five years of unjust imprisonment as revenge for his father’s attempt to run in the election. Five years of punishment for wanting to build a country that reflects the dreams of a new generation, for striving to restore justice in […]
January 30, 2025
“Holocaust tragedy is a reminder of the devastating consequences of aggressive and hateful ideologies”
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. It is a former Nazi death camp, where a million people perished, including Jews deported from Belarus. The camp also held Belarusians who participated in the resistance movement or were deemed undesirable by the Nazis. This day marks the 80th anniversary of the camp’s […]
January 28, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to EU foreign ministers: “Isolate Lukashenka but support Belarusians”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the foreign ministers of the EU member states in Brussels at the invitation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas. The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, also joined the meeting. The discussion focused on the non-recognition of Lukashenka and his sham election, peaceful negotiations on Ukraine, visa and […]
January 28, 2025
Sham election in Belarus, visit to Davos, “Belarusians Deserve Better” Forum. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for January 20-26
NON-RECOGNITION OF THE “ELECTION” Another so-called “election” took place in Belarus, with Lukashenka being “re-elected”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office compiled a list of countries and international organizations that have officially rejected the sham campaign. PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos, meeting with the President of Latvia, […]
January 27, 2025
Countries and international organizations that do not recognize the 2025 sham election in Belarus
The list is relevant as of 14:00 GMT, January 30, and will be updated. On January 26, Belarus witnessed yet another political farce designed to “re-elect” “Lukashenka. For over 30 years, he has clung to power by sustaining a regime built on mass repression and human rights violations. Following the rigged 2020 election and the […]
January 26, 2025
“For Belarus to matter to others, it must first matter to us”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the “Belarusians Deserve Better” Forum in Warsaw, calling for unity, emphasizing the importance of struggle inside Belarus, and expressing gratitude to Belarusians for their dedication and support. Below are the key points of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech: 📌 Why Belarus must remain on the global agenda “In a world full of events, as […]
January 26, 2025
“We will reclaim our country and return home!”
A march took place in Warsaw against the sham election in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya walked through the city streets together with other Belarusians before delivering a speech. She emphasized the unwavering determination of the Belarusian people in their fight for freedom and called for unity. “What is happening in Belarus today has been called many […]
January 26, 2025
Solidarity against the sham election in Belarus: Upcoming events
Belarusians around the world are coming together to say “NO!” to the sham election in Belarus. Solidarity makes us stronger. Join the rallies and events in your city to help Belarusians voice their disagreement with the political “spectacle” orchestrated by the Lukashenka regime, as well as support political prisoners in Belarus and Belarusian communities. January […]
January 25, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Davos
From January 20 to 24, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos, where global leaders and executives from the world’s largest corporations gather annually to discuss pressing global issues. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya took part in the main program of the forum and several side events. Key topics raised during the visit: The sham […]
January 25, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya established ties with Chile
During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Chile’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren, establishing initial ties with the country. The meeting resulted in agreements on collaboration across various areas. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya expressed gratitude to Mr. van Klaveren for Chile’s support of democratic Belarus in the UN Human Rights Council. […]
January 25, 2025
Highlights of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s participation in the World Economic Forum
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya concluded her visit to Davos, where she participated in discussions and met with prominent global politicians. The Belarusian leader took part in the “Future of Belarus“ event and “Peace Through Strength” discussion, which focused on strategic security and democracy and featured notable figures like the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, the President […]
January 25, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, during the World Economic Forum in Davos. She presented several proposals from the Belarusian Wiki community. Belarusian Wikipedians should participate in Wikimedia Foundation events. Mr. Wales confirmed that they will be invited to Wikimania so they can share their experiences. Both sides agreed to enhance […]
January 23, 2025
Holding Lukashenka accountable for his crimes: Coordination Council hearing
Today, January 23, the Coordination Council will hold a parliamentary hearing to present an analysis of Lukashenka’s criminal activities during his time in power, alongside a legal qualification of these crimes. The hearing will aim to, ahead of the January 26 sham election, draw international attention to Lukashenka’s crimes and outline ways to hold him […]
January 23, 2025
“Democracy cannot thrive without a robust economy”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is participating in the World Economic Forum in Davos for the third consecutive year. This year, during the “Future of Belarus” event, the Belarusian leader shared her vision for the country’s recovery after the dictatorship and its path toward economic revival. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya outlined 5 practical steps. Create conditions for people to return […]
January 22, 2025
Tatiana Shchyttsova: “This is yet another provocation to incite hostility and hatred between Lithuanians and Belarusians”
Provocative inscriptions appeared recently on a European Humanities University (EHU) building in Vilnius. Similar acts of vandalism have previously targeted the Belarusian Cultural Center, the “Kropka” store, a refugee aid center in Vilnius, and other places associated with the Belarusian diaspora. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, commented on this latest act […]
January 22, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s statement on Donald Trump’s inauguration
“President Trump was in office in the United States when our peaceful uprising began in 2020. It was during his term that the first sanctions were imposed against the Lukashenka regime and Ambassador Julie Fisher was appointed [as the Special Envoy for Belarus], with whom we worked closely in the following years. The new administration […]
January 22, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration.
“Today, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to President Donald J. Trump on his inauguration. The people of the United States have once again demonstrated the enduring strength of democracy through a peaceful transfer of power. The ideals that underpin the American spirit—liberty, self-determination, and the pursuit of happiness—continue to light a path for nations around […]
January 20, 2025
Visit to the Netherlands, International Criminal Court referral, political prisoners’ release. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for January 12-19
VISIT TO THE HAGUE On January 12-13, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya conducted a working visit to The Hague, meeting with: Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dirk Schoof; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Martin Bosma; NGOs at the Helsinki Committee office; experts from the Clingendael Institute; the Belarusian diaspora in the […]
January 20, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended a commemoration for the 1863-1864 Uprising participants in Vilnius
On the anniversary of the uprising led by Kastus Kalinouski in 1863-1864, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya honored the graves of its participants. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “This day always feels significant and sacred. Despite the tragic fate of those who fought for independence and freedom over 160 years ago, this date carries great hope and strength. We are still […]
January 19, 2025
Lithuania extended entry ban exemptions for Belarusian-registered vehicles
Lithuania indefinitely extended exemptions for Belarusian-registered vehicles. The new regulations allow Belarusians with visas or residence permits to enter the country using their cars. Entry is also allowed for EU citizens driving Belarusian-registered cars provided the vehicles are only for personal use. Legal entities and Belarusian citizens intending to use vehicles for commercial purposes must […]
January 18, 2025
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Lithuania’s Minister of Justice Rimantas Mockus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel Latushka met with the new Minister of Justice of Lithuania, Rimantas Mockus. The discussion focused on efforts to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable, including Lithuania’s referral of the regime’s crimes to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and coordination with other countries on these efforts. The parties agreed to establish ongoing communication […]
January 18, 2025
Statement by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on the regime’s invitation to the OSCE to monitor the sham election
“We urge the OSCE ODIHR not to accept this belated and limited invitation from the regime to observe the so-called presidential election on January 26. Elections are not just about the voting day. They are a lengthy process that must be transparent and meet democratic standards. In 1994, OSCE participating states mandated ODIHR with long-term […]
January 18, 2025