RELEASE OF 123 POLITICAL PRISONERS
On December 13, 123 political prisoners were released in Belarus, including Maryia Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka, Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak, Uladzimir Labkovich, Maryna Zolatava, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, Pavel Seviarynets, and others. Some of the prisoners, including Ales Bialiatski, were deported to Lithuania, others to Ukraine. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the released prisoners at the Embassy of the United States in Vilnius.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement: “Today, 123 political prisoners were released after being illegally deprived of their freedom for a long time. Among them are Maryia Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka, Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak, Valiantsin Stefanovich, Uladzimir Labkovich, Maryna Zolatava, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, Pavel Seviarynets, and others. For their relatives and loved ones, this is a moment of relief after a long wait. We welcome each and every one of them to freedom. Yet at the same time, we remember that hundreds of political prisoners still remain behind bars in Belarus. And until the last one is freed, this joy cannot be complete”.
VISIT TO BRUSSELS
- On December 8, the high-level conference “Building Foundations for Democratic Change” was held in Brussels, with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivering opening remarks. The democratic forces presented a package of reforms for a New Belarus and new legislation.
- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, who announced a €30 million support package for Belarusian programs.
- She also met with the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, to discuss the situation in Belarus, the release of political prisoners, and the role of Belarus in regional security.
VISIT TO ITALY
- On December 9, a shelter for political refugees from Belarus and their families was launched in Florence. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also inaugurated the Belarusian Democratic Community Center in Italy. The opening was made possible by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s previous visits to Italy, the work of Yuliya Yukhno, and the Belarusian diaspora.
- On December 11, she met with members of the “For a Democratic Belarus” Group in the Italian Parliament, emphasizing that the situation in Belarus remains difficult, with daily arrests, deaths in prisons, and ongoing repression.
- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the Margaret Thatcher Award, given annually to individuals demonstrating exceptional leadership and principled defense of freedom. She dedicated the award to Belarusian women who have become symbols of freedom and resilience. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya received the award alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE CEREMONY
On December 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in Oslo, at the invitation of María Corina Machado. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya commented on the award: “María Corina has been bravely and relentlessly resisting tyranny in Venezuela, and she deserves this award more than anyone. Her struggle matters not only for Venezuela. It reminds all of us that resisting dictatorship is a shared global duty”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also met with Ana Karina, the daughter of Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, who delivered the Nobel lecture.
ROUNDTABLE ON LOCAL GOVERNANCE REFORM
On December 10, a roundtable on local self-government reform was held in Warsaw by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Senior Political Advisor, Alexander Dabravolski, spoke on a possible roadmap for reform. Participants included Congress representatives, members of the Coordination Council, Belarusian and international self-government experts, members of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, participants of the Personnel Reserve program, and members of the RADA Belarusian National Youth Council.
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
On December 10, as Human Rights Day was observed worldwide, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “Freedom, dignity, and the right to be heard belong to every human being, regardless of their citizenship, religion, or place of residence. But in Belarus, the regime is doing everything it can to destroy human rights. Thousands of Belarusians remain behind bars simply because they dared to be free, to defend their dignity, and to speak out”.
5 YEARS OF PEOPLE’S EMBASSIES
December 10 marked five years since the People’s Embassies of Belarus were launched. To celebrate this occasion, the project answered key questions about its work, achievements, and plans.
MEDIA
Euronews (International), Reuters (International), Repubblica (Italy), LRT (Lithuania), BelSAT (Belarus), Deutsche Welle (Germany), Deutsche Welle (Germany), Dawn News English (International).
