PARIS PEACE FORUM
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a working visit to France, where she spoke at the Paris Peace Forum. She stressed the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine, propaganda, and repression, and called for solidarity with those who fight against dictatorship. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya attended a dinner at the Élysée Palace, where the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, was present, and held meetings with the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noël Barrot.
SUPPORT FOR BELARUSIAN JOURNALISTS
During the Paris Peace Forum, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed support for the Belarusian media. She raised this issue in her speech and held a separate meeting with the leadership of the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) – its Executive Director, Nishant Lalwani, and Co-Chair, Nobel laureate Maria Ressa. IFPIM had launched a support program for Belarusian journalists with financial backing from Sweden.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya met with RFI leadership to discuss a possible Belarusian-language editorial team. She also discussed support for the media during her aforementioned meeting with Minister Barrot.
BELARUSKALI STRIKE COMMITTEE LEADER GRANTED ASYLUM IN THE US
On October 29, the US Immigration Court ruled to grant political asylum to one of the leaders of the Belaruskali strike committee, Anatoli Bakun. The state prosecutor waived the right to appeal, making the judge’s decision final – Anatoli will be released from immigration detention and will be able to remain in the United States permanently. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office had submitted a supporting statement to the relevant authorities and Mr. Bakun’s lawyer. Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, was personally present at the proceedings and testified as a witness.
NIGHT OF (UN)EXECUTED POETS
Every year, Belarusians honor cultural figures executed during Stalin’s repressions in 1937. Commemorative events were held worldwide, including in Vilnius – “(Un)Executed Poets”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Pavel Tereshkovich, took part in the Vilnius event, which was supported by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya recorded a video reading a poem by Ales Dudar.
EURONEST PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY IN ARMENIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, took part in the session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly held in Yerevan. The session launched the process of granting observer status to the democratic forces of Belarus.
Representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet and the Coordination Council – Yury Hubarevich, Valery Matskevich, Alisa Ryzhychenka, and Artsiom Brukhan – also took part in the event.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the meeting online.
DIPLOMATIC ADVISOR’S VISIT TO LONDON
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, paid a working visit to London, holding a series of meetings aimed at deepening dialogue between Belarus’ democratic forces and the UK and strengthening parliamentary and governmental ties.
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE BELARUS–LITHUANIA BORDER
On October 29, due to provocations by the regime, the border between Belarus and Lithuania was closed for one month.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement: “The Lukashenka regime continues its hybrid war against European Union countries – primarily Lithuania and Poland. Following recent large-scale cases of cigarette smuggling using balloons, Lithuania had to temporarily close the border and even suspend flights. This is further evidence that the regime uses smuggling as a tool of hybrid attacks against Europe”.
SCHOOL OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
Forty activists and representatives of political and civil society organizations completed the School of Political Campaigns organized by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The training program combined an online module held in September–October with an in-person session. It focused on planning and implementing political campaigns, as well as using modern technological tools in political activities. The speakers included members of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and invited experts.
DZIADY ADDRESS
On the first Saturday of November, Belarusians celebrate Dziady, an ancient holiday honoring ancestors. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on this occasion: “Do not forget Belarusian traditions – pass them to your children and keep the memory in your heart. They remind us that Belarusians are truly one big family. We remember not only our ancestors but also those who were killed by the regime, who gave their lives for Belarus, who fought for Ukraine’s freedom, and for the right to be free. This memory is our root and our bond with one another”.
INCIDENT AT BELARUSKALI
Four workers suffered chemical burns and injuries at the Belaruskalі plant in Salihorsk. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the incident: “The safety of people must be the top priority at any workplace. A thorough investigation must be conducted to understand why this happened and to take all necessary measures to prevent it from happening again”.
MEETING WITH EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS ON THE RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
The Embassy of the Netherlands in Poland, in partnership with the United Transitional Cabinet’s Representation for Social Policy and the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic, held a briefing for European diplomats to inform them about the situation of political prisoners in Belarus and discuss possible releases of new groups of detainees who may be expelled from Belarus.
Participants included Kryścina Šyjanok (Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic) and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, Dissidentby, Volnyja, and A Country to Live in Foundation.
MEDIA
This week, Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to AP News (International), Euronews (International), La Croix (France), THE NIGHTLY (Australia), Radio France (France), RFI, RFI in Russian (France), and Dagens Nyheter (Sweden).
