Sanctions for, and Counter-sanctions by, Belarus: what is the game-changer? Analytics
The OST Research Centre, together with the Oxford Belarus Observatory and the GCRF COMPASS Project, based on a discussion on 3 February 2022 issued a policy brief “Sanctions for, and Counter-sanctions by, Belarus: what is the game-changer?”. The full text is available below. Download the analytics document here.
March 07, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed with German Foreign Minister aid for Belarus and Ukraine, sanctions against Lukashenka and Putin
On March 7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Berlin, where she held a bilateral meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. The Belarusian leader also spoke at a conference at the German Federal Foreign Office, met with diplomats, and gave comments to the press. With Annalena Baerbock, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed: – support for Ukraine and humanitarian aid […]
March 07, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya supported the call of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to close airspace over Ukraine
“We support the call of President Zelenskyy to close the airspace over Ukraine. This is a security issue for Ukraine, Belarus, and all of Europe. It will also help stop Russian missiles and military planes that are launched from the territory of Belarus every day”, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in her address to the people of […]
March 05, 2022
“More than 1500 students and academics have become victims of repression”. Appeal to the international academic community
In this video Philosopher, Representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Education and Science Tatiana Shchyttsova appealed to the academic community. Text of appeal: “Dear colleagues, my appeal is addressed to the international academic community Today, the entire civilized world has become “the global East” as it sees the defence of Ukraine's independence as its main priority. The […]
March 05, 2022
Anti-War Movement Manifest
The territory of our country, against the will of the Belarusian people, is being used for military aggression against the Ukrainian people: Putin and Lukashenka unleashed a war against Ukraine and are using Belarusians in a deadly conflict. We, the citizens of the Republic of Belarus, stand against the participation of Belarus in the Kremlin’s military […]
March 01, 2022
Digest of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on Education and Science, February 2022 / Issue 3
Download the digest on education and science here. Repressions – On February 27-28, at least 13 students from Minsk and Hrodna universities were detained during the anti-war protests. More information could be found in the report of Studenckaja Dumka student media, the post of Minsk State Linguistic University’s telegram channel and the post of Free […]
February 28, 2022
Digest of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on Education and Science, February 2022
Download the digest on education and science here. Repressions – On February 27-28, at least 13 students from Minsk and Hrodna universities were detained during the anti-war protests. More information could be found in the report of Studenckaja Dumka student media, the post of Minsk State Linguistic University’s telegram channel and the post of Free […]
February 28, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a call with the President of the European Parliament
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a call with the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and garnered resounding support for the people of Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya spoke about the threat to Belarus’ sovereignty and called in this regard for decisive and tough actions against the regime – non-recognition of Lukashenka and maximum sanctions against the regime […]
February 25, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held an emergency meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian
Today, February 25, in Paris, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who currently chairs the EU Council of Ministers. The meeting took place a few hours before the discussion in Brussels on the Lukashenka regime, its actions and participation in the war in Ukraine. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said that Belarusian […]
February 25, 2022
Joint statement by the Operational Headquarters of the democratic forces
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced that she takes on the responsibility to stand up for the independence and national interests of the Republic of Belarus and forms the Transitional Cabinet as the national authority. The Operational Headquarters of the democratic forces supports her decision as the national leader, and representative of the Belarusian people, elected by a […]
February 24, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya declared herself as the national leader of Belarus
“This morning, Russia attacked Ukraine, violating the fundamental principles of international law. The Belarusian territory and Armed Forces were involved in this treacherous act of aggression. The full responsibility for the war belongs to Lukashenka and his regime, along with the Russian president. The illegitimate leader of Belarus introduced alien troops and made our country […]
February 24, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya declared herself as the national leader of Belarus
“This morning, Russia attacked Ukraine, violating the fundamental principles of international law. The Belarusian territory and Armed Forces were involved in this treacherous act of aggression. The full responsibility for the war belongs to Lukashenka and his regime, along with the Russian president. The illegitimate leader of Belarus introduced alien troops and made our country […]
February 24, 2022
The Venice Commission’s Opinion on the regime-pushed constitutional reform: instead of solving the crisis, reform only aggravates it
The Venice Commission assesses national laws and bills so that they defend the people and ensure the observance of people's rights. The Commission is a tool for constitutional-making in countries transitioning to democracy. Today, the Venice Commission issued its Urgent Interim Opinion on the regime-pushed constitutional reform in Belarus. The Commission's report notes the following: […]
February 23, 2022
The Operational Headquarters of Belarusian democratic forces started work in Vilnius
Representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the Coordination Council, National Anti-Crisis Management, Honest People community, Voice platform, and ZUBR initiative joined their efforts to promptly respond to the “referendum”-related developments in Belarus, as well as to make decisions given the tense situation in the region. The democratic forces’ Operational Headquarters has already released the action plan […]
February 22, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the Belarus Business Harbour in Baltics Forum, February 22
“Dear forum guests, dear friends, I am grateful to be here with you today. First of all, I would like to praise the organizers of this timely and important event – Association of Belarusian Business Abroad. You are doing an incredible job – you unite businesses, but you also unite people. It’s your second such […]
February 22, 2022
Tsikhanouskaya, Latushka: Whatever step against Belarusian sovereignty will entail the most serious consequences
On February 21, it was announced that Russian troops will not leave the territory of Belarus until “an objective need arises”. So who decides on this need now? There is absolutely no “objective need” for foreign troops on the Belarusian territory, and that is the opinion of Belarusians. Lukashenka is the major reason why Belarus’ […]
February 21, 2022
Position of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on the consequences of any actions against the sovereignty of Belarus
Despite all the regime's assurances, after February 20, Russian troops will not be withdrawn from Belarus. This means that Belarusians have been deceived all this time, and Lukashenka has lost his independence in decision-making. After all, because of him, Belarus is losing its identity, and Belarusians are losing control over their own country. The presence […]
February 20, 2022
Results of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s second day at the Munich Security Conference
On the morning of February 19, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the discussion on strengthening democracies. Among other speakers were Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani. In her address, leader of democratic Belarus outlined the necessary pillars in the struggle against dictatorships: 1) putting […]
February 20, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech at the high-level discussion on Ukraine at the Munich Security Conference
«Mr President, Honorable guests. First of all, on behalf of the Belarus people, let me express our solidarity with your nation in a crucial historical moment for all of us. Answering the question, I must say that the fate of Belarus today depends on the fate of Ukraine, and vice versa. Our extremely close and […]
February 19, 2022
US Senators met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to pledge unconditional support for Belarusians
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for more resolute actions against the regime. “In the midst of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, we must keep Belarus in sight. Terrible things are happening in our country, unprecedented terror continues, and the regime has begun to trade in sovereignty as Lukashenka's last-ditch effort to stay in power”, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya […]
February 19, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s working meetings on the first day of the Munich Security Conference
On February 18, the Munich Security Conference has started, with representatives of more than 30 countries taking part. Within the conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a number of meetings. – Meeting with President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović. The President noted that he was pleased to meet and closely follows Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's work. Montenegro has joined the […]
February 18, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya and Secretary Blinken discussed the international response to the regime's actions. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that the human rights situation is deteriorating, the repressions are intensifying, and the regime has started to trade Belarusian sovereignty. Lukashenka has lost his independence and is ready to return nuclear weapons to the country. Belarus is critical to […]
February 18, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a working meeting with Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Vitaliy Klitschko for placing a large white-red-white flag on the city hall. She added that Ukrainians, as nobody else, understand the importance of international solidarity during hard times. At the meeting, Tsikhanouskaya and Klitschko discussed assistance to the Belarusian diaspora in Kyiv and support for Belarusian media and human rights defenders based […]
February 18, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meetings at the Munich Security Conference
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held the first meeting on the sideline of the Munich Security Conference – with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. In her visits, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya often presents symbolic gifts to politicians, diplomats, and supporters of Belarusianы, and these gifts show the talent and national character of Belarusians. She gave Ylva Johansson a […]
February 18, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the Belarusian diaspora in Lithuania
On February 16, in Vilnius, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Belarusians of Lithuania and representatives of Belarusian organizations. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor and Head of the Internal Policy Department Alexander Dabravolski, Head of the Cabinet, Representative on Foreign Affairs Valery Kavaleuski, joined the meeting, and Head of Public Outreach Alexandra Logvinova moderated it. The diaspora and […]
February 16, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The EU will allocate the same amount to our country under the EU Plan for Democratic Belarus”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today, the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development refused to provide 3.5 billion dollars to the regime. Let me remind you that the EU is to allocate the same amount to our country under the EU Plan for Democratic Belarus. And instead of financing the repressive apparatus or premiums for the former president’s […]
February 16, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the ceremony of raising the Baltic States’ flags
On February 16, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the ceremony of raising the Baltic States’ flags in Vilnius at the invitation of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. The ceremony was joined by Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, Speaker of the Seimas Viktoria Čmilytė-Nielsen, Lithuanian politicians, and the diplomatic corps. On February 16, 1918, in Vilnius, the Lithuanian […]
February 16, 2022
Digest of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office on Education and Science, February 2022 / Issue 2
Download the digest on education and science here. Repressions – On February 4, philosopher Uladzimir Matskevich, who has been under arrest for more than six months on charges of “organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order“ (part 1 of article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus), started a hunger […]
February 15, 2022
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office addressed Belarusians in Ukraine and those planning to visit Ukraine
In view of possible Russian military actions, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office recommends Belarusians who are in Ukraine or are considering a visit to Ukraine to: – temporarily abstain from traveling to Ukraine. Numerous cases of Belarusians detained at frontier posts and airports have been reported. Unfortunately, the Office cannot influence the decisions of the Border Guard […]
February 15, 2022