On May 22, during the Stockholm Conference on Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the panel discussion “Empowering Belarusian Democracy Advocates”:
«Dear Ambassador Linkievicius,
Dear Ambassador Johannesson
Dear director Van der Staak
Dear Excellencies and Friends,
Let me start with words of gratitude to our esteemed organizers, International IDEA, and the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania.
For years, International IDEA has been an essential partner to the Belarusian democratic forces. With your support, we have drafted the new Belarusian Constitution. This crucial document will help us transform Belarus into a functioning democratic state and prevent any future dictatorship.
Additionally, we have drafted various laws on Parliament, the President, the Constitutional Court, and local government. Two months ago, in Vilnius, together with IDEA, we held a large international conference where we presented our vision for a New Belarus. Thank you for your analysis, expertise, and advocacy.
We don’t know when and how changes in Belarus will occur, but we must be prepared for them. We must be able to quickly conduct all the necessary reforms to remove Belarus from the Russian orbit and bring it into the European family, where we belong.
I am confident that the European Commission will not stand aside but will assist us on this difficult path as well. Dear David Cullen, I am looking at you now. Please view support for a democratic Belarus as your own investment in the peace and security of the entire continent. Without a free Belarus and Ukraine, the European project will never be complete.
I am glad to see Ambassador Linas Linkevičius in this room. Linas was the first foreign politician I met in my short and unexpected career. When Lukashenka’s regime cracked down on people in 2020, and I was forcibly moved into exile, Linas extended his hand of help. He provided us with shelter and the infrastructure that allowed us to continue our peaceful revolution. This was not just a gesture of solidarity but also a demonstration of the courage and principled policy that we expect from the international community.
I am pleased that this discussion is taking place on the sidelines of the Stockholm Conference on Belarus – the first of its kind. I wish to congratulate Christina and the Swedish MFA for making this happen! Thank you!
This high-level event shows that Belarus remains high on the agenda and also demonstrates Sweden’s long-term commitment to Belarusian democracy. Sweden, alongside Poland and other countries, has always been among the biggest donors to Belarusian civil society, media, and youth.
The events of Belarus in 2020 would never have happened without your investment in the Belarusian people. 2020 was a year of no return for Belarusian society. However, the revolution is not finished yet.
In 2020, the international community was not ready. We remember the very slow reaction of the West: real sanctions were imposed only 9 months after the crackdown.
Today, we understand that our fight is not a sprint, but a marathon. To reach the end, we need patience, endurance, and consistency. And, of course, we need allies such as those present in this room.
The regime of Lukashenka is much more vulnerable than it seems. It is like a chair on three legs: money, repression, and Russia. If one leg falls, the whole chair collapses.
Therefore, it is crucial to continue isolating the regime economically, politically, and diplomatically. It is important to strengthen sanctions and open cases against perpetrators. It is also essential to help Ukraine and weaken Russia, which is the main sponsor of Lukashenka’s regime and guarantees his existence.
However, sanctions alone will not change the regime. Change can only come from within, and only by Belarusians. This is often forgotten by politicians. Therefore, it is crucial ALWAYS to combine sanctions with assistance to people.
Assistance should be directed to Belarusian independent media, civil society, families of the repressed, labor unions, human rights defenders, and the institutions of democratic forces.
We are grateful to the European Commission and national governments for all the support you have provided.
These comparatively small investments in Belarusian democracy can have a huge impact on the entire region.
While this support is not enough, I am glad that some countries understand this. Sweden, for example, has significantly increased assistance for Belarusian culture this year, and yesterday they promised 5 million kroner to support political prisoners.
We must also strengthen the agency of democratic forces in Belarus. When the window of opportunity appears, the democratic forces must be prepared and strong enough to claim power and steer Belarus towards democracy.
We ask to formalize relations with Belarusian democratic forces, appoint special envoys, and refrain from presenting credentials to the illegitimate Lukashenka. Support the opening of our missions in your capitals and create a group for a free Belarus in parliaments, as Gustaf has done here in the Riksdag.
With the help of Kimmo Kiljunen, Belarusian democratic forces already participate in the work of PACE, although Belarus is not a member of the Council of Europe. It gives us a voice, but also the opportunity to build important contacts for the future.
Support the European aspirations of Belarusians, as the alternative to the Russian world. Repeat as often as you can: ‘Belarus’ future is in Europe!’. Belarusians must hear that Europe’s door will be open to them.
And please, don’t put us in the same basket with Russia. Instead: mention Belarus alongside Ukraine and Moldova as countries that need support and focus.
Help us prepare reforms but also promote our vision of the future among Belarusians. I am sure that in cooperation with IDEA, the Commission, and other partners, we will be able to visualize a New Belarus. We need to show that there is another way, and what democratic forces are offering is better for them.
And of course, help us keep the issue of political prisoners high on the agenda. It’s the most painful topic for us. People are literally dying behind bars. We need more pressure on the regime. The regime feels impunity and continues taking new hostages.
Tomorrow, in Prague, we are gathering at a large international forum on the topic of political prisoners, and we will discuss ways to help the repressed, their families, but also secure their release.
Dear friends,
Yesterday, at the Conference, I felt inspired. I saw so many people, from very different countries, who care so much about Belarus. I am confident that having such friends and allies, we can prevail, restore freedom, democracy, and independence to our country.
Thank you.»
