Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Parliamentary Group “For a Democratic Belarus” in Italy

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of the Group “For a Democratic Belarus” in the Italian Parliament in Rome today. She thanked the MPs for their solidarity and steadfast support for Belarus – both in international organizations and in their assistance to Belarusian refugees, former political prisoners, and volunteers who fought for Ukraine. She stressed that the situation in Belarus remains extremely difficult: daily arrests, deaths in prisons, and ongoing repression against anyone who expresses support for Ukraine.

Ms. Tsikhanouskaya presented a number of practical proposals to the Italian parliamentarians:

1. A resolution in the Italian Parliament. She invited MPs to initiate a resolution on the situation in Belarus, political prisoners, and geopolitical risks.
2. Support for political prisoners. She proposed holding a large gathering of symbolic godparents of Belarusian political prisoners next year with the participation of former detainees and their families, strengthening the network of international solidarity.
3. Internships for Belarusians. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for internship programs in the Parliament and offices of Italian MPs so that young Belarusians can gain direct experience of democratic practice and strengthen their professional skills.
4. Participation in the International Parliamentary Alliance. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged MPs to continue active participation in the Alliance “For a Democratic Belarus” and join the next forum in London.
5. Events tied to key dates. She proposed using major Belarus-related dates for coordinated awareness and support campaigns.
6. Meetings with the Belarusian diaspora. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya suggested that MPs hold regular meetings with Belarusian communities in Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan, and other cities to discuss their concerns and possible joint initiatives.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Thank you for this productive meeting. I am very glad to see how the Belarusian issue unites all groups and parties. Your support and attention to Belarus help us move forward”.