Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s opening remarks at the Consultative Group meeting in Brussels, 2023
“Dear High Commissioner Borrel, Dear colleagues and friends of Belarus, I am really honored to open the first meeting of the Belarus – EU Consultative Group. We have come a long way to reach this point. And finally we are launching a mechanism to work on the bilateral agenda between Belarus and the EU. I […]
June 29, 2023
Increasing support for Belarus: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi
During yesterday's meeting with the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Tsikhanouskaya proposed that the European Union increase support for the repressed, human rights defenders, independent media, and civil society in Belarus. “We are not going to give up. We will continue our work to defend Belarus’ independence and strengthen society. The European Union is […]
June 29, 2023
Tsikhanouskaya, Latushka and Kavaleuski met with President of the European Council Charles Michel
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet are on a visit to Brussels. During the meeting with the President of the European Council, the parties discussed the politico-military situation within the country, the arrival of Prigozhin and the Wagner Group in Belarus, the stationing of nuclear weapons, and the implications for regional security. […]
June 28, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the Wagner PMC placement in Belarus
“We, Belarusians, do not need Prigozhin's thugs, or Russian nuclear missiles, or a strongman rule. Putin and Lukashenka are turning our country into a pariah state, a firing range. Despite this disheartening situation, this is not a reason to give up. Neither for me nor for you. Today I am heading to Brussels to discuss […]
June 27, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received Irish Parliament Speaker Seán Ó Fearghaíl in her Office
The meeting focused on the latest developments related to the Wagner PMC presence in Belarus, the deportation of Ukrainian children, as well as ways to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for crimes against humanity. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also conveyed the position of the Belarusians concerning the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, which is that Belarus […]
June 27, 2023
“China, Belarus and Russia: a geopolitical triangle”. A policy brief by Oxford Belarus Observatory
Oxford Belarus Observatory, in collaboration with the Research Centre of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (OST) and the Institute for Global Sustainable Development (IGSD) of the University of Warwick, is compiling a series of Policy Briefs based on the discussions taking place in our jointly convened Expert Webinar series. We invite you to read the […]
June 25, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “The reason for our problems is sitting in the Independence Palace”
June 24, 2023
“Expel Russian military from our country”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the regime’s army, officials, and law enforcement officers
Watch Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's address regarding the situation in Russia with subtitles in English.
June 24, 2023
The UN Human Rights Committee will consider Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s complaint
On June 9, 2023, the UN Human Rights Committee registered a complaint from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. It was prepared by Respect — Protect — Fulfill, the human rights organization that also represents Ms. Tsikhanouskaya in the Committee. The complaint alleges that the authorities of Belarus violated Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's right to be elected in fair elections, the right to […]
June 23, 2023
Hearings will be held in the Coordination Council as per Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s decision
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, has resolved to hold hearings in the Coordination Council by August 1 to hear reports and approve the candidates for representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet. The United Transitional Cabinet and Coordination Council have previously agreed that the Council is to approve the Cabinet's representatives, who are […]
June 22, 2023
Franak Viacorka spoke on the outcomes of Jadnajsia! event in Warsaw
Warsaw hosted the Jadnajsia! gathering last week, which brought together more than 20 Belarusian public organizations and initiatives. The event featured performances by Belarusian musicians, panel discussions, and presentations by civil initiatives. Franak Viacorka, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Senior Advisor, spoke in a video on the outcomes of the gathering. He thanked Belarusians for joining the event […]
June 22, 2023
Visa facilitation, assistance to political prisoners, support for Belarusian culture: results of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Strasbourg
On 19-20 June Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was in Strasbourg at the invitation of the PACE President, where she took part in the PACE hearings and addressed the PACE Political Committee, PACE Women group, and Council of Europe Ambassadors. The Belarusian leader met with national delegations, party groups, and the Council of Europe leadership. The meetings were […]
June 21, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the presentation of Maksim Znak’s book “Zekameron” in Strasbourg
The book “Zekameron” is a collection of stories written by Maksim Znak while in prison. It has already been published in several European countries in Belarusian, Russian and German, and is coming out in English and Swedish. Besides Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the book presentation was attended by Maksim Znak's associate and former political prisoner Illia Salei, […]
June 21, 2023
EU announced scholarships for Belarusian students in Lithuanian, Latvian, Polish, and Czech universities
The European Union has announced a call for applications for scholarships to study at universities in Czechia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland for Belarusian students and applicants who are persecuted due to their civic position or activities or have faced repression. Belarusian students and applicants are eligible for the scholarship program if they: – are already […]
June 21, 2023
Eliminating administrative and legal obstacles for Belarusians in exile: PACE adopted resolution on Belarus
Yesterday, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) session, where she called on PACE members to vote in favor of the resolution on practical support for Belarusians in exile. She emphasized the importance of the recommendations of the resolution being reflected at the national level in individual countries. Ms. […]
June 21, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with PACE President Tiny Kox during her visit to Strasbourg
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Mr. Kox for the adoption of the PACE resolution on the issues faced by Belarusians in exile. She welcomed that the resolution can make life easier for tens of thousands of people who find themselves in a difficult situation with visas, residence permits, and bank accounts, as well as access to health […]
June 21, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikanouskaya: “By appealing the verdict, I did not hope for the sentence to be overturned, but rather wanted to highlight the lawlessness”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “On March 6, the so-called court in Belarus, represented by Piotr Arlou, issued a verdict against me in absentia, 15 years of imprisonment. By the way, I never saw a copy of the verdict documents. And today it was reported that Belarus' Supreme Court considered my appeals and left the verdict unchanged. You […]
June 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at thе Plenary Session of PACE in Strasbourg, 2023
“Dear President Kox, Madam Secretary Buric, Rapporteur Paul Galles, Excellencies, friends, It’s an honor for me to address the Assembly. Thank you, Mr Galles, for your tremendous work preparing the report and the draft resolution. This is a visionary resolution. Rapporteur Galles captured the truth of our story and offered crucial recommendations. For the true statesmen […]
June 20, 2023
“She used to speak out on the issues the regime preferred to ignore”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the sentence for Nasta Loika
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: The “court” in Belarus issued another verdict for a person who works honestly and wishes to help people. Today, human rights defender Nasta Loika was sentenced to 7 years in prison. Nasta worked not only within Belarus but also participated in international human rights campaigns. She used to represent the interests of Belarusians […]
June 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at thе Concert of the Volny Chor in the chamber of the European Parliament, 2023
“Dear Frank Schwabe, Dear President Kox, Dear Secretary General Buric, Dear President-Elect Rinkevics, Ladies and gentlemen, I am deeply honored to stand here among you, awaiting the remarkable concert tonight by Volny Khor – The Free Choir. Volny Khor symbolizes sacrifice and tireless efforts for a free Belarus. In 2020, when Belarus had deepened in […]
June 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address to Women PACE group in Strasbourg, 2023
“Dear friends, Let me start by thanking “Women PACE Group” for your invitation and for bringing all of us together. It’s a privilege for me to be in a circle of like-minded women. I don’t need to prove myself, excuse myself, or to compete for the place on the podium. I can be honest about […]
June 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the Political Committee of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, 2023
“Dear Chair Zsolt Nemeth, Dear Members of PACE, Dear Belarusian friends, I am happy to see that the cooperation between the Belarusian democratic movement and the Assembly becomes more robust every year. And it's great to see representatives of Belarusian parties regularly participating in political committee meetings. I am glad that the voice of Belarusians […]
June 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address to Council of Europe Ambassadors in Strasbourg, 2023
“Dear Excellencies, I feel that I am among friends today. We all share the same values and the same dream – to live in freedom and peace. And I wish to thank each of you for supporting our cause and our fight for the democratic future of Belarus. Because of your help, the Council of […]
June 20, 2023
Belarus’ civil society will hold a campaign in support of victims of torture
Thousands of Belarusian men and women have faced torture in the three years after 2020 alone. We remember that and must not remain silent. Therefore, the Legal Initiative NGO, in partnership with the International Committee for Investigation of Torture in Belarus, will hold thematic events in Warsaw, Vilnius and Poznan aimed at showing the unacceptability […]
June 19, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on Medical Worker Day
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today Belarus celebrates Medical Worker Day. And it is about the same people who three years ago, with almost no protective equipment, treated Belarusians for COVID-19. At the time when the state denied the pandemic, they continued to save human lives. Without sleep. Without equipment. Without rewards. The government constantly talks about how […]
June 18, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the anniversary of detention of Viktar and Eduard Babaryka
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today marks exactly three years since the day the regime kidnapped the Babaryka family. Father and son were detained on the same day and are still behind bars. By now, we have not heard from Viktar Babaryka since April 25, and Eduard has spent almost a year and a half in pre-trial detention […]
June 18, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged Belarusians to support Belarusian independent cinematography
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusians often invite me to movie premieres. For instance, I attended the presentation of the 'Courage' movie by Aliaksandr Paluyan and watched the 'Voices of Belarus' play this spring. But I am aware that most Belarusians do not have such opportunities as independent films are not shown in Belarusian cinemas, and theatrical performances […]
June 17, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on Putin’s statement about placement of the first batch of nuclear weapons in Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Let's start by remembering that neither we nor our international partners have any reliable information. It is very possible that two dictators are deliberately pushing false information about nuclear weapons. What they want is to scare Belarusians and force Western countries to stop supporting Ukraine and to negotiate with Lukashenka and Putin. They […]
June 17, 2023
Residence permits for Belarusians, assistance to Belarusian volunteers, Friends of Belarus group: results of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Estonia
Yesterday, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was on a working visit to Tallinn, where she held meetings with the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, the Speaker of the Parliament, Lauri Hussar, Member of Parliament Urmas Reinsalu, Belarusian diaspora, and also spoke at the Conference of European Churches. The main outcome of the visit was the establishment […]
June 16, 2023