Guide on support initiatives and organizations for Belarusians in Belarus and exile
According to various estimates, more than half a million people have left Belarus after 2020. Many who remain in the country face the daily risk of being detained and persecuted for a like or repost on social media. If you have faced repression and feel the need to leave the country, know that you are […]
February 14, 2024
Non-recognition of regime’s election and situation with political prisoners: What Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed with new US Ambassador to Lithuania
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya hosted the new US Ambassador to Lithuania, Kara McDonald, at her Office in Vilnius. During the conversation, the Belarusian leader emphasized the critical situation with political prisoners and the possible steps to achieve their release. The parties also discussed steps to advance the Belarus–USA Strategic Dialogue and possible cooperation within the UN and […]
February 14, 2024
Marharyta Vorykhava: “Belarusian education has long been outdated. It prepares servants for regime, not professionals”
Today’s education system in Belarus needs changes and numerous reforms. But Lukashenka today yet again denied this. He asked, why look for something new when they can use Soviet achievements? The regime emphasized once again that the personal development of young Belarusians is not its concern. It only needs the universities to prepare personnel suitable […]
February 13, 2024
Errors in the design of the new Belarusian passport will be corrected
Images of a draft design for the new Belarusian passport, which incorrectly depicts the Belarusian-Lithuanian border, have appeared on the Internet. The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the United Transitional Cabinet have acknowledged the issue as a technical error and have committed to its correction. Valery Kavaleuski, the representative of the United Transitional Cabinet who […]
February 13, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Dictator uses incommunicado detention to make people forget Belarusian heroes. We will never let this happen!”
On February 9, 2024, which marked exactly one year since politician Mikalai Statkevich was kept incommunicado in the regime’s prison, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the international campaign “Show Statkevich!” launched by the politician’s family and friends. Unfortunately, there are many other political prisoners in Belarus who also do not receive news from the outside and have […]
February 12, 2024
Munich Security Conference: Why is it important for Belarusians?
For the third year in a row, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will participate in the Munich Security Conference, which gathers leading politicians, experts, and civil society representatives in Germany to discuss key global security issues. During her visit, the leader will raise critically important issues concerning the current political and social situation in our country. She will […]
February 12, 2024
“There is not even an illusion of competition”. Franak Viacorka on regime’s sham election
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, explains in the video why the regime’s “single voting day” scheduled for February 25 is a sham election: “What the regime calls an election is a sideshow and manipulation. In most districts, pro-regime parties compete with pro-regime parties. The names of members of election commissions have not been disclosed. […]
February 12, 2024
Tatiana Shchyttsova: “We can start democratization of education system in Belarus now – with collective preparations”
Today’s school education system in Belarus faces numerous problems. Experts highlight isolation from modern trends, outdated teaching standards, and authoritarian management. At the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and with the participation of the United Transitional Cabinet, some of the best Belarusian experts in secondary education have developed a roadmap project to prepare for reforms […]
February 09, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined “Show Statkevich!” campaign
It has been exactly one year since Mikalai Statkevich’s relatives and loved ones received the last message from him. Since February 9, 2023, there have been no reports about his whereabouts: no messages from him have gotten outside of the prison, while letters and parcels from the outside have not reached him. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined […]
February 09, 2024
“This is a reminder for Belarusians: you are not alone in this fight”. Anatoli Liabedzka on European Parliament urgent resolution on Belarus
Today, the European Parliament adopted an urgent resolution on Belarus against the backdrop of mass repression against former political prisoners and their relatives, as well as the announced trial in absentia against independent experts and analysts. In the video below, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, explains the significance of […]
February 08, 2024
“Godparents” of political prisoners: Who are they and what do they do?
In January, the number of symbolic godparents who joined the international Libereco and Viasna campaign WeStandBYou to support political prisoners reached 400. Humza Yousaf became the first head of the government to become a symbolic godparent as he took patronage over political prisoner Dzmitry Halavach. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team explains below who the godparents are, how […]
February 08, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Only beneficiaries of Belarus’ isolation are Lukashenka and Putin”
The Belarusian leader commented on Lithuania’s State Security Department’s intention to close two more crossings at its border with Belarus: “We understand the concerns of Lithuania’s security services. However, closing border crossings for passengers is treating the symptoms, not the root of the problem. The closure will primarily affect Belarusians, the majority of whom stand […]
February 07, 2024
“Attempt by regime to rewrite history, manipulate values, and dictate social norms”. Marharyta Vorykhava commented on new school course in Belarus
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, addressed Belarusians regarding the introduction of a new patriotic course called “My Homeland” for students in grades 5-7. It will cover the ideology of the Belarusian state, as well as concepts such as “Motherland”, “Fatherland”, “state symbols”, and “state power”. “This initiative poses a threat […]
February 07, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Regime’s current campaign cannot be called an election”
In an interview with DW Belarus, the Belarusian leader explained why the “single voting day” is nothing more than a simulation of an election: “The political framework in Belarus has been cleared. Leaders of political parties are in prisons, no free media can operate in the country, and all NGOs have been liquidated. The so-called […]
February 07, 2024
Legalization of stay in Poland: Where can Belarusians get help?
Several hundred thousand Belarusians live in Poland today. Each of them faces difficulties in the legalization of stay, from the inability to obtain an apostille to an expired Belarusian passport. The Polish Ministry of the Interior has established a working group to address these issues and improve Belarusians’ situation. It includes Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on […]
February 06, 2024
Stagnation, inflation, brain drain: Aleś Alachnovič on challenges for Belarusian economy in 2024
In an interview with Pozirk, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Economic Reforms and Vice President of ABBA, Aleś Alachnovič, shared his view on the major challenges facing the Belarusian economy in 2024. The advisor explained that the Belarusian economy is expected to grow by 1-2%, which is twice slower than the economies of Poland, Lithuania, and […]
February 06, 2024
“How many candidates are critical of authorities? None!” Anatoli Liabedzka commented on regime’s sham election
In the new video, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, summarizes the situation regarding the regime’s “single voting day” and explains why what is scheduled for February 25 in Belarus is a sham election: “In countries that have real elections, electoral commissions are formed with both supporters and opponents […]
February 05, 2024
Ascetic, revolutionary hero, coffee enthusiast. 5 interesting facts about Belarus’ national hero Tadevush Kastsiushka
Born in the south of today’s Belarus, he led an uprising in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, aided the USA in its fight for independence, and was awarded honorary French citizenship. This is all about the same person. On the anniversary of the day Tadevush Kastsiushka was born, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team shares interesting facts about Belarus’ national […]
February 04, 2024
5 interesting facts about Kastus Kalinouski
On the anniversary of the day Kastus Kalinouski was born, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team shares interesting facts about Belarus’ national hero that you may not be aware of. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The importance of Kastus Kalinouski’s figure for us and our history cannot be overstated. His deeds are an example of how one person managed to inspire […]
February 02, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We must stop regime’s nuclear blackmail”
The Belarusian leader attended the Congress of the European Greens, which took place in Lyon ahead of the European Parliament election campaign. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech addressing several significant issues. She discussed the current situation in the country, including the recent crackdown, creeping Russification, and the Russian threat to Belarus’ sovereignty. The leader emphasized […]
February 02, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s EPG Congress Keynote, Lyon, France, 2024
“Dear Melanie Vogel, Dear Thomas Waits, Dear European Greens, I have come here to tell you how I feel at such an important moment in our world’s history. I am happy to be with you here today. I feel your passion, your energy, and desire to change the world. I am happy that I am […]
February 02, 2024
“Sviatlana and her team are ready to work hard around the clock”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s assistant spoke on her work
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s personal assistant, Stasia Hlinnik, gave a comprehensive interview where she spoke about the national leader, revealing aspects the wider public may not be aware of. Here are some notable quotes: 📌 “Sviatlana takes every story to heart and personally reads everything Belarusians write to her”. 📌 “It took time for me to realize […]
February 02, 2024
“Integration actually means colonization”. Tatiana Shchyttsova commented on announced unified history textbooks in Belarus and Russia
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, commented on the announced introduction of unified history textbooks for schools and universities of Belarus and Russia. Ms. Shchyttsova emphasized the need to resist colonization policies by increasing the independence of historical science and providing opportunities for youth to study history not distorted by propaganda. Tatiana […]
February 02, 2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We are responsible for what our children believe in”
The Belarusian leader commented on the reports that Belarus and Russia will create a unified history textbook for schools and higher education institutions: “The regime has repeatedly tried to rewrite our history. It erased memorable dates and “canceled” national heroes from textbooks. That is what every dictatorship does: seeking to seize the past, they aim […]
February 02, 2024
“How do presidents juggle work and family?” Dzianis Kuchynski explained role of personal communication with prominent politicians in bilateral meetings
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, recorded a new video in which he talks about the work of the Foreign Policy Department. He explains whether prominent politicians discuss their private lives during meetings and how personal communications contribute to the implementation of the team’s priorities.
February 01, 2024
Political system in new Belarus: key points of New Belarus Transition Strategy
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team continues to share details of the New Belarus Strategy, developed by Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in partnership with the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, and numerous experts. Today, we analyze the public administration system prescribed in the document and clarify the points that Belarusians have asked questions about during the public discussion. […]
February 01, 2024
Integration of Belarusian refugees: Vitaly Malchanau held meeting with Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs
The Saeima Citizenship, Migration and Social Cohesion Committee held a meeting in Riga focusing on the integration of Belarusian refugees in Latvia. The meeting was also attended by the Latvian Ambassador to Belarus, Einars Semanis, the Representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Estonia and Latvia, Vitaly Malchanau, as well as representatives of the Latvian Parliament, […]
January 31, 2024
“No law can ever make Belarusians stop caring for each other”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on persecution over donations in Belarus
Between the sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the leader of Belarus’ democratic forces recorded a brief address to Belarusians who continue to support each other despite the recent mass repressions against people who made donations to democratic organizations and solidarity foundations. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Dear friends! The regime in Belarus continues […]
January 31, 2024
“When time comes, democratic Belarus will be knocking on doors of Europe”: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe
The Belarusian leader participated in a session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, along with representatives from 45 countries. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech and answered questions. Her address focused on the ongoing repressions in the country, legal chaos, and the total isolation to which the regime has led […]
January 30, 2024