Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s International Human Solidarity Day address
“Solidarity is a powerful and uniting force. And today is a great occasion to discuss how important mutual help and support are. In times of crisis, we see how much solidarity Belarusians have. How you, my dear ones, come to each other’s aid in difficult situations is inspiring and moving. It motivates us to keep […]
December 21, 2024
“My favorite moments in exile are when I get to see you, hug you, and share kind words”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s International Migrants Day address
“Like hundreds of thousands of Belarusians, I know how difficult it is to adapt to life in a foreign country. How painful it is to spend every day without the chance to embrace loved ones or return home. I often dream of Belarus. Sometimes these dreams are nightmares, as they are for many Belarusians, tied […]
December 18, 2024
“Lukashenka’s hopes for going back to business as usual with the West are futile”
In an interview with RFI, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed the democratic forces’ strategy ahead of the presidential ‘election’ scheduled by the Lukashenka regime for January 26. Below are the key points from the interview: Implications of the sham election for Belarusians and the West: “My key message is that what the regime is organizing in Belarus […]
December 17, 2024
Belarus Days in Brussels. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 9-15, 2024
VISIT TO BRUSSELS From December 9 to 13, Brussels hosted the Belarus Days, organized by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission in collaboration with the European Parliament. During the visit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the 4th session of the EU-Belarus Consultative Group, the high-level conference on Belarus “Standing with the People […]
December 16, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on Stanislau Shushkevich’s 90th birth anniversary
“Today, I would like to honor the memory of a man who left a profound mark on our history. As the first leader of independent Belarus, a scholar, and a politician, he laid the foundation of our nation’s independence and dedicated his life to transforming Belarus into a free and democratic country. Stanislau Shushkevich played […]
December 15, 2024
Summary of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Brussels (December 9–13, 2024)
Meetings Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament: Discussed the non-recognition of Lukashenka’s sham election, ongoing repression, and the EU’s role in supporting Belarus’ democratic forces. Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission: Addressed the EU strategy vis-a-vis Belarus, including sanctions, non-recognition of the sham […]
December 15, 2024
What Kaja Kallas discussed with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel Latushka in Brussels. They attended the opening of an exhibition dedicated to political prisoners in Belarus at the European External Action Service HQ. This was Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s first meeting with Ms. […]
December 15, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the European Commission: Support for repressed individuals, culture, and independent media
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Marta Kos. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Commissioner Kos on her appointment and outlined the work of Belarus’ democratic forces and civil society, as well as the situation of political prisoners in the country. She provided updates on the ongoing Needs Assessment for journalists, human […]
December 15, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, hosted Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya ahead of the high-level conference on Belarus in the European Parliament. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Ms. Metsola for supporting the Belarus Days in Brussels and inviting over 150 Belarusian representatives, including human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and cultural figures. “This is truly an unprecedented event. […]
December 13, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius
During the Belarus Days in Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Mr. Kubilius on his appointment, thanking him for his years of support during his time in the European Parliament and expressing hope for closer collaboration in the future. The meeting focused on […]
December 13, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Minister-President of Flanders Matthias Diependaele
During the Belarus Days in Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel Latushka of the United Transitional Cabinet met with the new Minister-President of Flanders, Matthias Diependaele. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Flanders for hosting the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels. She highlighted Flanders’ aid to Belarusian expert, civic, and cultural initiatives, as well as the support provided […]
December 13, 2024
“The EU will continue to play a key role in shaping Belarus’ future”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya briefed a European Parliament delegation
During the Belarus Days in Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a briefing for a European Parliament delegation. She outlined the key challenges Belarus faces, calling for rejecting the legitimacy of the 2025 ‘election’, supporting independent Belarusian media, and increasing assistance to Belarusian society. In addition, she proposed effective ways to aid political prisoners and their families. […]
December 12, 2024
“Belarusians do not need imperial Russia to tell us how to live and what to do”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at a high-level conference on Belarus in Brussels
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her working visit to Brussels. On Thursday morning, she participated in the high-level conference titled “Standing with the People of Belarus”. The event also featured the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, its members, EU representatives, ambassadors, and special envoys on Belarus. The conference, organized by the European External Action Service […]
December 12, 2024
“Human rights defenders are our Marvel superheroes!” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at “Unbroken” exhibition
Today’s program of the Belarus Days in Brussels began with the opening of the “Unbroken” exhibition, dedicated to the imprisoned human rights defenders of the Viasna Human Rights Center. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered an address, emphasizing their incredible courage and praising the exhibition as a symbol of the struggle for freedom. “Today, we launched an exhibition […]
December 12, 2024
“By displaying the works of political prisoners, we remind the world of their plight”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya inaugurated “Voices from Prison” exhibition in Brussels
During her visit to Brussels, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya inaugurated the exhibition “Voices from Prison: Art as Resistance”. The project features drawings and letters revealing the stories of Belarusian political prisoners, their resilience, and the defiance they demonstrate even behind bars. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya praised the project as important and shared her reflections after viewing […]
December 11, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s comment on the suicide of activist Sviatlana Krutsikava
“On December 10, Sviatlana Krutsikava took her own life. She had been persecuted for distributing ‘extremist’ materials, subjected to searches, and endured psychological abuse. It is impossible to comprehend the torment that drove someone to such a tragic and irreversible step – a step born of despair. The regime destroys lives not only in prisons. […]
December 11, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at POLITICO 28 – Class of 2025 Gala Dinner
As part of her visit to Brussels, where the Belarus Days are held, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Class of 2025 Gala Dinner, hosted by POLITICO Europe, as a guest speaker. The ceremonial evening was dedicated to unveiling POLITICO’s annual ranking of the most influential people in Europe. The list is divided into three categories – […]
December 11, 2024
“We have achieved a great deal together over the past six months”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarus–EU Consultative Group
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continues her official visit to Brussels, where she joined the fourth meeting of the Belarus–European Union Consultative Group. In her opening remarks, the Belarusian leader reviewed the progress made in recent months and emphasized that everything the Consultative Group does, it does for the Belarusian people, who place their hope in this work. […]
December 11, 2024
“Our culture is the essence of the Belarusian soul”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at #FramedinBelarus exhibition opening in Brussels
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her working visit to Brussels, focused on participating in the Belarus Days. On December 10, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the opening of the #FramedInBelarus exhibition, highlighting the role of cultural heritage as the spiritual core of the Belarusian people and a key element in the fight against dictatorship. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “These works […]
December 10, 2024
“Your efforts go beyond defending human rights – they pave the way for all Belarusians to live with dignity and freedom”
Today, on Human Rights Day, an annual awards ceremony took place in Vilnius, where outstanding Belarusian human rights defenders, activists, and journalists were honored for defending human rights. The Human Rights Defender of the Year award went to Nasta Bazar. The jury recognized Fiodar Pauliuchenka and Dziyana Pinchuk in the Journalist of the Year category. […]
December 10, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Human Rights Day address
“On December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, symbolizing hope for people all around the world. Yet today, even in the heart of Europe, these fundamental rights are under threat. The principles designed to be unshakable are being challenged, and those fighting for freedom are becoming victims themselves. Instead of safeguarding […]
December 10, 2024
Strategic Dialogue with the USA, Belarusian–Lithuanian conference. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 2–8
BELARUS–USA STRATEGIC DIALOGUE The second round of the Strategic Dialogue between the United States government and the democratic forces of Belarus took place in Vilnius. The meeting was chaired by the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Christopher Smith, and the National Leader of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Representatives of Belarusian democratic institutions, civil society, human […]
December 09, 2024
Yauhen Muravitski, detained during protests in Georgia, is now safe
Yauhen Muravitski, a Belarusian citizen detained on November 30 in Tbilisi and at risk of deportation, has left Georgia and is now safe in Lithuania. This was made possible through the swift efforts of Lithuanian human rights defenders, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, and Belarusian human rights organizations. Following his detention, Mr. Muravitski […]
December 09, 2024
Tatiana Shchyttsova: “The state has no need for intelligent people. It needs obedient ones”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, participated in the LRT show “Kholodny Borshch”, highlighting pressing issues in the education sector in Belarus. On the state of education in Belarus “Academic freedom in Belarus continues to deteriorate. The country has dropped from 175th to 176th place out of 179 countries in the corresponding […]
December 06, 2024
“Belarus’ future matters to both its people and the entire democratic world”. Belarus Days in Brussels
Belarus Days will take place in Brussels from December 9 to 13, organized by the European External Action Service and the European Commission in cooperation with the European Parliament. A series of events will be held as part of the 4th session of the EU Consultative Group for Belarus’ democratic forces, bringing together over 100 […]
December 05, 2024
Outcomes of the Belarus–USA Strategic Dialogue
The second round of the Strategic Dialogue between the United States government and the democratic forces of Belarus took place in Vilnius. The meeting was chaired by the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Christopher Smith, and the Head of Belarus’ United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Representatives of Belarusian democratic institutions, civil society, human rights […]
December 05, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s International Volunteer Day address
“Volunteers are living proof that the phrase ‘it’s not my problem’ is not about us. Your willingness to respond, support, and lend a helping hand, even in the hardest of times, is a true example of humanity and compassion. You are always the first to answer our calls for help – day and night, no […]
December 05, 2024
“If someone submits a petition for pardon, this should never be condemned – because these people are innocent”
In an interview with ERR.ee, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya shared her perspective on the situation in Belarus and public opinion toward the war and the Lukashenka regime. The leader emphasized that Belarusians oppose aggression and do not support policies that turn their country into an international pariah. Here are the key points from the conversation: Why Lukashenka […]
December 04, 2024
“In policy toward Belarus, consistency must be key”. Belarus–USA Strategic Dialogue started in Vilnius
The Belarus–USA Strategic Dialogue started in Vilnius, bringing together representatives of Belarus’ democratic forces and American policymakers. The dialogue, first launched last year, serves as a platform to strengthen long-term relations with the United States government. View the results of previous sessions of the Strategic Dialogue here and here. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was the keynote speaker […]
December 04, 2024