April 28, 2023
“Save yourself – stop hiding Babaryka”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Lukashenka’s accomplices
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Neither lawyers nor relatives of Viktar Babaryka have been able to see him and his condition. And this situation is not the only of its kind. Today, Lukashenka's accomplices do not realize the consequences of this pressure on political prisoners. They must understand, though, that in any change of situation, Lukashenka will only […]
April 27, 2023
Franak Viacorka: “We have already contacted representatives of diplomatic missions, European countries, the United States, and OSCE leadership”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Senior Advisor, Franak Viacorka, commented on the situation with Viktar Babaryka and the regime’s pressure on political prisoners. He also discussed the response from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, her Office, and the United Transitional Cabinet: “As soon as we received the reports, and later their confirmation, we started to act. The situation with Viktar Babaryka […]
April 27, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The situation of Viktar Babaryka and other political prisoners needs immediate international attention”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “On April 26, the jailed former presidential hopeful in Belarus, Viktar Babaryka, was transferred from a prison colony to a hospital and is undergoing surgery. Independent media reports indicate that he was taken to the hospital with traces of beatings. His lawyers and family members are denied information or contact with him. This […]
April 27, 2023
Support for media and volunteer fighters, visas for Belarusians, pressure on the regime. Results of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s April 24-25 visit to Germany
“Yesterday, on April 25, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya finished her visit to Berlin, where she delivered the annual Berlin Freedom Speech at the Brandenburg Gate, held working meetings with Germany's Minister of Finance Christian Lindner, German Chancellor Advisor Jens Plötner, and US Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutmann. In Berlin, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also commenced the work of the […]
April 27, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We demand a public demonstration of Viktar Babaryka’s condition”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Last night, reports came that Viktar Babaryka was taken to the hospital with signs of beating. We demand a public demonstration of his condition. We demand access for his lawyers and relatives. Any other actions will be interpreted as deliberate harm to his life and health.”
April 26, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya laid flowers at Vilnius’ Chornobyl Mother Memorial on the disaster anniversary
Today, together with diplomats from Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Estonia, the US, Finland, Ireland, and the UK, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya laid flowers at the Chornobyl Mother Memorial in Vilnius. The gesture paid tribute to the 37th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster on April 26. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We must remember Chornobyl. It is a painful memory but also […]
April 26, 2023
Kristina Rikhter: “For 27 years, human rights defenders in Belarus have been embodying the spirit of justice and freedom. They often risk their own freedom to ensure that fundamental human rights are observed and protected”
Today marks the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Viasna Human Rights Center. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office and its Advisor on Legal Issues Kristina Rikhter congratulated the human rights defenders: “Today, April 26, the Viasna Human Rights Center celebrates its 27th birthday. This is an important moment for us to talk about the brave work […]
April 26, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the 2nd Belarusian Business Forum in Vilnius, 2023
“Dear guests, dear speakers, I would like to thank you all for coming to the 2nd Belarusian Business Forum in Vilnius. I am grateful to be here with you today. Congratulations to the organizers: Association of Belarusian Business Abroad and those who supported this event: Lithuanian Business Confederation, European Commission and USAID. It is already […]
April 26, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with German Minister of Finance Christian Lindner
During her visit to Germany, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the German Minister of Finance, Christian Lindner. She thanked him for supporting Belarus over the past three years. Mr. Lindner was the first German politician to protest outside the Belarusian embassy after August 9, 2020, and the diaspora is extremely grateful to him for that. They […]
April 25, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged the Belarusian diaspora to join the Chornobyl Way rallies
Tomorrow, on April 26, the anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, Belarusians all over the world will take to the Chornobyl Way rallies to openly and explicitly demonstrate that they stand against nuclear weapons. All events are marked on the dze.chat map. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya herself will join the rally in Vilnius. Image: @motolkohelp
April 25, 2023
German Bundestag established a Friends of Belarus group. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined its first meeting
The group includes 30 MPs from almost all German political factions in the Bundestag: Social Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, and Greens. During her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that the Belarusian issue unites German politics rather than divides it, which is a very important signal. She called on the MPs to join the International Day of Solidarity […]
April 25, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “PRC was one of the first countries to recognize Belarus’ independence in 1991. The statements made by the ambassador are unacceptable”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The Chinese ambassador to France made remarks about former Soviet countries, stating they don’t have an “effective status in international law.” Thus, the Chinese ambassador questioned the sovereignty of 15 countries, including Belarus. It goes without saying that such statements by the ambassador are absolutely unacceptable. The international community recognized Belarus as a […]
April 25, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Committee for EU Affairs of the Bundestag in Berlin, 2023
“Mr. Chairman Michael Roth, Mr. Chairman Dr. Anton Hofreiter, Dear members of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the European Affairs Committee, Dear friends, Thank you for this opportunity to meet with you. On behalf of the Belarusian people, let me thank you for supporting our fight for democracy. Yesterday, I spoke to the members of […]
April 25, 2023
Outcomes of the Second Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora
On April 22-23, over 120 representatives of Belarusian initiatives and communities from different continents gathered in Vilnius for the Diaspora Conference. The Conference aimed to discuss making the work of the diaspora more effective and matching the needs of Belarusians within Belarus, and improving cooperation between activists and politicians. Participants of the Conference agreed to: […]
April 24, 2023
German Bundestag established a Friends of Belarus group
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to Germany. As a result of her first meeting in the Bundestag, a group of Friends of Belarus including about 30 MPs was established in the German parliament. During the meeting, the group members agreed on internships in the German parliament for young Belarusians. As the parties also discussed […]
April 24, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the 17th Berlin Speech on Freedom, 2023
“Honorary guests, dear friends, Representatives of Friedrich Naumann Foundation I will be speaking today about something that is very dear to my heart – freedom. The fight for freedom is often romanticized. We all remember the beautiful pictures of mass protests in Belarus, when hundreds of thousands took to the streets. We remember fearless women on […]
April 24, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wished Maryia Kalesnikava a happy birthday: “It was you who made me and thousands of Belarusians believe we can endure even the most difficult trials”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Dear Belarusians, I guess you know that most letters to Maryia, like to thousands of political prisoners, are blocked by censorship. But today I urge each and every one of you watching this video to write to our Maryia. If you don't know what to write about, tell her about your life, what […]
April 22, 2023
People’s agency, diaspora influence, regime accountability, political prisoners. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced four priorities of the Office and the United Transitional Cabinet
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Second Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora, where she announced the main priorities of the Office and the United Transitional Cabinet: 1. Rebuilding people's agency “This is not easy as we are in an extraordinary situation: we are the people of a country that does not belong to us. We […]
April 21, 2023
Scholarships for students, cooperation with civil initiatives, education reform in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with new rector of European Humanities University
Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the newly-appointed rector of the European Humanities University, Professor Krzysztof Rybiński. Representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office and the United Transitional Cabinet also attended the meeting. The discussions focused on: — Strengthening the role of the European Humanities University as a university working for the sake of democratic Belarus. This can […]
April 20, 2023
Anatoli Liabedzka: “The Lithuanian Seimas distinguishes the regime from the Belarusian people”
Today, the Lithuanian Seimas voted on the law on restrictive measures against citizens of Belarus and Russia. The vote overrode the veto of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and resulted in the adoption of the softer restrictions against Belarusians proposed by the Seimas. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor Anatoli Liabedzka was present at the Seimas to observe the […]
April 20, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The Lithuanian Seimas just voted for a bill with softer conditions for Belarusians”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The Lithuanian Seimas just voted for the bill with softer requirements imposed on Belarusians. 99 MPs voted for it, 7 against, and 2 abstained. Now the law will be adopted and the Lithuanian President is obliged to sign it. I thank all the MPs who supported us! We highly appreciate all the support […]
April 18, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Belarusian culture is what makes us a nation”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today is the International Day for Monuments and Sites. Countries around the globe honor their historical heritage by restoring and reconstructing ancient churches, castles, and buildings. Every country preserves its monuments that testify to its history and heroes. Unfortunately, it's not the case in today’s Belarus. The government preserves everything Soviet and Russian […]
April 17, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s comment on militarization of education in Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The regime regularly takes our children to military units and prisons and brings weapons into schools and kindergartens. Children are forced to take notes on propaganda, read poems about 'fraternal peoples' and literally transcribe speeches by regime officials. And every children's event is attended by police officers and military personnel. What kind of […]
April 16, 2023
«Belarus’ anti-authoritarian movement and women’s rights: female activism in times of terror and war». 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 […]
April 16, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Belarusians on Orthodox Easter
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Like many Belarusians, I have fond memories of Easter from childhood. It is eggs, Easter cake, smiling grandparents, and the whole family gathered around a table. People usually discuss family-related things at this table, not nuclear weapons or war. But the war is near, and nuclear weapons may soon be deployed in Belarus. […]
April 14, 2023
Belarusians must be distinguished from the regime
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today the President of Lithuania vetoed the law that imposes restrictions on Russian and Belarusian nationals in Lithuania. From the very beginning, my team worked to protect the rights of Belarusians and make these restrictions less severe. We raised these issues with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior […]
April 13, 2023
Soviet-style draft of students drags Belarus back into the past
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The regime continues to pull Belarus into the past. Another official proposed an "innovation" in education: drafting students to the army during their studies, as was done in the Soviet Union. This is the only way the old men raised under the Soviet system see the country – as one not respecting an […]
April 12, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech for Days of Exile in Hamburg, 2023
You can watch Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's speech by the following link. Text of the Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's speech: “Dear friends, I am honored to be the patron for this year’s Days of Exile and I want to thank the Körber Foundation for inviting me to give the Speech on Exile at this important event. I would like to […]
April 11, 2023
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today Ivonka Survila, the leader of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, celebrates her 87th birthday”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today Ivonka Survila, the leader of the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic (BNR), celebrates her 87th birthday. She embodies the historical continuity of Belarusian statehood from the founders of Belarusians’ first national state to the present day. But Ivonka Survila is not just the Rada of the BNR. She has devoted her […]