Day of Solidarity with Belarus Political Prisoners
Date of action: November 27 Events will take place between November 26 and November 30 On November 27, the Day of Solidarity with Belarus Political Prisoners, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls on international leaders, activists, journalists, and all friends of Belarus to show solidarity with political prisoners by organizing rallies and pickets, releasing statements, wearing or displaying national […]
October 23, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya appointed Tatiana Shchyttsova as Representative on Education and Science
Tatiana Shchyttsova is Dr. habil. in Philosophy and a professor at the European Humanities University, Vilnius. She got her degree in Belarus and graduated as a doctoral candidate from Russian State University for the Humanities, Moscow. Ms. Shchyttsova undertook internships at universities and colleges in Germany, the UK, and the US. As Ms. Tsikhanouskaya's Representative […]
October 20, 2021
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Opening Remarks at the International Legal Conference in Nuremberg, October 11, 2021
Today Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the opening of the International Legal Conference in Nuremberg, organized by the NAM of Pavel Latushko and dedicated to justice for the crimes of the regime. Speech of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Distinguished guests and participants, ladies and gentlemen, The rule of law is the very core of every functioning democracy, the fundamental […]
October 11, 2021
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Opening Remarks at the Vilnius University TSPMI International Conference
“Dear Rector Petrauskas, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, It is very crucial for Belarusians and Belarus to keep the problem of the political crisis in our country on the political, media, and international public agenda. Especially while every day, there are a lot of events in different countries which also demand the attention of the […]
October 07, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Press Conference in Warsaw, October 6, 2021
“Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, I am pleased to visit Warsaw and speak at the Warsaw Security Forum. I met the President of Poland, Foreign Minister Rau, Ministers and Ambassadors of EU countries, and representatives of international organizations. I plan to meet the Office of the Prime Minister today, meet Belarusian diaspora, ByPOL, the Workers […]
October 06, 2021
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Opening Remarks at the Warsaw Security Forum
“Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, It is an honour for me to represent Belarus at this discussion on European security. As you know, the situation in my country has become a direct threat to this security. Today I would like to touch upon the processes inside Belarus, the dynamics between Belarus and Russia and the […]
October 06, 2021
Conclusions of the expert discussion “Results of the Elections in Russia for Belarus: a Window of Opportunity or a Dead End?”
The Research Center of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office holds weekly expert discussions online with international experts on Belarus’ pressing matters. On September 23, 2021, we discussed the topic “Results of the Elections in Russia for Belarus: a Window of Opportunity or a Dead End?”. Senior advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the Foreign Policy Department Franak Viacorka, […]
October 02, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the tragic shooting in Minsk
“A tragedy happened yesterday. It is caused by the fact that Belarusians are being imprisoned, tortured, and persecuted without fair trial for their political position. The legislation is not protecting people anymore, and Belarusians are forced to defend themselves. The power is held with violence in Belarus, and it creates a confrontation between people that […]
September 29, 2021
Conclusions of the expert discussion “Civil society in Belarus: its current state and required support”
The Analytical Center of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office holds weekly expert discussions online with international experts on Belarus’ pressing matters. On September 16, 2021, we discussed the topic “Civil society in Belarus: its current state and required support”. Head of Public Outreach of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office Alexandra Logvinova, Head of Unit, European Commission, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement […]
September 23, 2021
Full testimony of Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative on Legal Affairs, Siarhej Zikratski, at the Helsinki Commission Hearing
September 21, 2021 “Dear members of the Commission! I am Siarhej Zikratski and I am Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative on Legal Affairs. I have been practicing law in Belarus as a consultant and attorney for 10 years. In March 2021 I was expelled from the Bar Association. It is an honor for me to testify at […]
September 21, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s remarks before the Helsinki Commission Hearing “Seeking justice and freedom in Belarus”
September 21, 2021 “Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for the opportunity to submit a written statement for the Helsinki Commission hearing on justice and freedom in Belarus. It is my distinct honor to address distinguished members of the Commission and participants of today’s discussion on this important occasion. This is not the first time […]
September 21, 2021
French media digest on Belarus, September 11-19
September 19th Paris Match – Svetlana Tikhanovskaya: “Lukashenka's regime underestimated the whole nation” (link) September 18th Le Point – Tikhanovskaya: “How many deaths do you need in Belarus?” (link) September 17th France 24 – Exiled Belarus opposition chief Tikhanovskaya urges France to play 'role of mediator' (link) France Info TV – Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I can see […]
September 20, 2021
Conclusions of the expert discussion “Referendum in Belarus: who needs it and why?”
The Analytical Center of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office holds weekly expert discussions in the online format with international experts on Belarus’ pressing matter. On September 2, 2021, we discussed the topic “Referendum in Belarus: who needs it and why?”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Special Representative on Elections Alexander Shlyk, Director of the Institute of Political Studies “Palitychnaya Sfera” […]
September 14, 2021
Outcomes of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Slovenia and participation in the Bled Strategic Forum
At the invitation of the Slovenian government, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Bled Strategic Forum. There she held a number of meetings with European politicians and experts: Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša and Foreign Minister Anže Logar, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka, Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu, Croatian Foreign […]
September 03, 2021
Address by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the Bled Strategic Forum
“Dear Minister Logar, Mayor Fajfar, Mr. Grk, ladies and gentlemen, It is an honor for me to speak in front of such a distinguished audience about the future of Europe. The theme of this year’s Forum helps me look at the future of our continent through the prism of the aspirations of Belarusians for their […]
September 02, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is confident that the EBRD will resume its activities in new Belarus
Leader of democratic Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso met on the margins of the Bled Strategic Forum. They discussed the current situation in Belarus. Ms. Renaud-Basso outlined the EBRD’s activities in the country, explaining that the bank has not been doing any sovereign investment in […]
September 01, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Speech at the Alpbach Economy Symposium 2021
“Dear ladies, and gentlemen, dear friends, I am honored to take part in today's discussion. I’m speaking here on behalf of millions of Belarusians who have been fighting for democracy for more than a year already. It has been a challenging year, but our nation learned that the path to democracy is complex and requires […]
August 31, 2021
Statement by Siarhej Zikratski: “Torture is punishable by a prison term of 7 to 25 years, or life imprisonment, or even death penalty„
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Representative on Legal Affairs, Siarhej Zikratski, commented on the statement of the Investigative Committee of Belarus, which completed an inquiry into torture in August 2020. Mr. Zikratski said, “Today, it was reported that the Investigative Committee of Belarus completed an investigation into the fact of torture and humiliation that were committed by the […]
August 27, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulates Belarusians on the 30th anniversary of Belarus’ Independence
“Dear Belarusians! Today is a momentous day for us. On August 25, 1991, the Belarusian parliament granted the Declaration of state sovereignty a constitutional status. Thus, the Parliament officially proclaimed the independence of Belarus. This day should have been celebrative and joyful in Belarus. However, on the 30th anniversary of this event, we live in […]
August 25, 2021
Guest Essay of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for The New York Times
“No One in Europe Is Safe From My Country’s Dictator” Guest Essay By Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Ms. Tikhanovskaya, a candidate in Belarus’s presidential election last year, is an exiled opposition leader coordinating efforts for a democratic transition in the country. “Just over a year ago, on Aug. 9, 2020, I stood in Belarus’s presidential election against […]
August 23, 2021
Tsikhanouskaya called on IMF Managing Director and US Secretary of Treasury to block the regime’s access to IMF funds
On August 20, 2021, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya sent letters to the IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and the US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen. In her letters, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya urged the IMF and the US government to block the Lukashenka regime’s access to the SDRs, including by freezing their exchange to freely usable currencies until a […]
August 21, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the release of Belarusians imprisoned on political grounds
“You might have heard that recently the regime has begun to make plans to pardon political prisoners. They are offered to repent and plead guilty in exchange for a “presidential pardon”. Some will accept this offer, others will turn it down, but it is up to them to decide. We are happy to see them […]
August 19, 2021
Joint statement after meeting between Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Yara President and CEO Svein Tore Holsether
Yara and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya today held a meeting in Oslo towards its common goal of supporting human rights, democracy, and the situation for workers of Yara’s potash supplier in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said: “Yara is an important long-term partner for Belarus. However, considering the ongoing mass terror conducted by the regime, we believe it is […]
August 13, 2021
Sanctions against the regime, rallies of solidarity and statements by politicians: how the world supported Belarusians on August 9th
On August 9, when the struggle for freedom of Belarus started a year ago, the United States, Great Britain, and Canada introduced new sanctions against the Lukashenko regime. In an official statement on sanctions, US President Joe Biden noted that “the Belarusian regime’s harmful activities and long-standing abuses aimed at suppressing democracy and the exercise […]
August 12, 2021
Press briefing of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, August 9, 2021
“Hello, On this day a year ago, I came to the polling station and received a ballot with my name on it – Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. I remember how I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. But with no hesitation, I checked the box next to my name – because it also stood for the […]
August 09, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Speech at the Institute for War & Peace Reporting discussion
“Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, Thank you for the invitation to discuss the crisis in Belarus with you today. My country is now undergoing the traumatic process of transformation where many similarities with the other post-soviet situations can be found, including Central Asia. I believe that sharing these experiences can be mutually helpful. On Monday, […]
August 05, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls to show solidarity with Belarusians on August 9th
“Belarusians are on the front lines of the worldwide struggle for democracy, and we are counting on you to show solidarity with us on August 9. Since the fraudulent Belarusian presidential election of August 9, 2020, we have demanded freedom and justice, persisting in spite of the regime's impunity and unmatched violence. The opposition’s peaceful […]
August 05, 2021
President Joe Biden Met with Belarus Pro-Democracy Leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the White House
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, NSC Senior Director for European Affairs Amanda Sloat, and NSC Director for Eastern Europe Christopher Smith also joined the meeting. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged the United States to support her call for mediated negotiations leading to a new presidential election in Belarus under international observation this year. She stressed the importance […]
July 28, 2021
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met Secretary Madeleine Albright
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya accepted an invitation to meet with Secretary Albright. They met and talked about what was happening in Belarus, the need to support media and continue the path to a free Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Madeleine Albright for her support and awareness of the Belarusian situation: “I always say that I am not a professional politician, […]
July 22, 2021