ADDRESS IN BELARUS. On February 24, at 3:00 p.m., Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s video address to Belarusians was broadcast throughout Belarus on the occasion of the anniversary of the large-scale war in Ukraine and the regime’s sham election. It is estimated that the video could have been shown on more than 2,000 screens in total – in subway, supermarkets, malls, and sports centers. The campaign was organized by BELPOL, a coalition of former police and security forces officers.
POLITICAL PRISONERS. On February 20, Ihar Lednik was reported to have died in prison. He became the fifth victim of the regime in prison after Vitold Ashurak, Mikalai Klimovich, Ales Pushkin, and Vadzim Khrasko who also died behind bars. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on this death: “For two years, he faced deliberate efforts to kill him. The 63-year-old activist had a heart-related disability. The regime knew this perfectly well when depriving him of his freedom. Lednik’s name was included in the human rights defenders’ Humanitarian List along with other people who needed urgent release due to health conditions or age. I express my sincere condolences to Ihar Lednik’s family and loved ones. And I call on everyone – the media, international partners, human rights defenders – to stand up for political prisoners”.
SHAM ELECTION. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team released a video explaining and showing how Belarusians could spend the so-called “single voting day” wisely instead of participating in the regime’s deception.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the reports that the regime was taking schoolchildren to polling stations and reiterated her stance on the regime’s sham election: “What is happening in the country now cannot be called an election. It’s a political farce and imitation. Therefore, I urge you to ignore this campaign and never go to the polling stations. If you are forced to vote, vote against all candidates. And on February 25, stay home and watch the marathon “I Choose New Belarus” on YouTube. I am convinced that the time will come when our active participation will make a real impact. But now, you should spend time wisely for yourself and your children, not for the regime”.
ONLINE MARATHON. On February 25, on the day of the regime’s election, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and blogger Tatsiana Martynava held an online marathon “I Choose New Belarus”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians as part of the marathon. She emphasized the issue of political prisoners in the country and called for joint efforts to secure their release: “There is no doubt that the regime will not release anyone unless it is pressured to do so. Because political prisoners are not a problem for the dictator. But we must make them one. We must let him know that he will pay for every victim”.
More than 20 guests participated in the marathon, including various artists and activists, economists and politicians, bloggers, and journalists. They discussed issues relevant to Belarusians and shared their vision of how to transition from a dictatorship built on deception and fear to the country we all dream of. The recording of the marathon can be viewed at the link.
VISIT TO AUSTRIA. On February 22, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was on a working visit to Vienna, where she spoke at the general meeting of the group “For a Democratic Belarus” at the OSCE in Vienna. Representatives of Estonia, Norway, Sweden, France, Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States attended it. In her speech, she urged the diplomats to address the issue of political prisoners, seek access to them, and demand their immediate release at the UN level.
In addition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions of the OSCE PA, raising several pressing issues regarding Belarus. In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya named specific steps that the OSCE can take right now to influence the situation in the country: appoint a rapporteur on Belarus or resume the work of the working group, exclude the “parliament” of Belarus from the Parliamentary Assembly, and not recognize the regime’s “elections”.
The Belarusian leader also met with the Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg. They discussed issues related to the legalization of stay. Mr. Schallenberg informed Ms. Tsikhanouskaya that Austria will now recognize expired Belarusian passports as valid. The parties agreed to develop instructions for the legalization of stay for Belarusians in Austria. The Belarusian leader also urged Austria to abstain from recognizing the parliamentary “election” in Belarus.
MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY. On February 21, Mother Language Day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “Just three years ago, I did not feel confident trying to speak Belarusian. You, my dear friends, inspired me, helped me, and motivated me. The Belarusian language is our unique password that only we know. Preserve our native language, protect it, and pass it on to your children. Because as long as our language lives, our nation will live”.
On the occasion of Mother Language Day, representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and the United Transitional Cabinet also talked about their favorite books in the Belarusian language and shared interesting personal stories related to Belarusian literature.
In addition, on February 21, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Representative of the United Transitional Cabinet for National Revival, Alina Koushyk, hosted Belarusian cultural figures residing in Lithuania at Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius. The participants of the meeting included writers, artists, architects, directors, actors, and representatives of other cultural spheres. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked those present for their activities aimed at promoting the Belarusian language and noted that preserving the Belarusian identity is a priority.
WAR ANNIVERSARY. On February 24, on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video address. She noted that thousands of Belarusians united against the war. They sabotaged Russian railway transport and went to fight for Ukraine. “Because we understand that it’s not just their war. It is our common war for freedom. Without free Ukraine and Belarus, there will not be peace and freedom in Europe. The world is standing before the choices that will forever alter the course of European history. To stand by those fighting against tyranny – or give in to the blackmail of tyrants. To leave Ukrainians alone with Putin and give Belarus to the empire as a consolation prize – or to take responsibility and support those who are fighting the evil.
I call on you to help Ukraine to win this war and stop the Russian invaders. Help Belarusians to liberate their country and dismantle the rotten dictatorship. We need not only words of support but your actions. Glory to Ukraine. Long Live Belarus”.
VISIT TO UKRAINE. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, and Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, are in Kyiv on a working visit. One of the first meetings took place with the Advisor in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Office, Mykhailo Podolyak. The parties discussed Belarus–Ukraine relations and plans for the near future.
In addition, they joined the new Yalta Conference in Kyiv which was held to mark the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It was attended by leaders and politicians from numerous countries, the Ukrainian leadership, MPs, experts, and military personnel.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s advisors also met with the leadership of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment to discuss cooperation and support for Belarusian volunteer fighters.
BRIEFING FOR AMBASSADORS IN VILNIUS. On February 23, a large meeting of special envoys and diplomats responsible for issues related to Belarus took place at Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius. Representatives from more than 15 countries gathered there, including Canada, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Ukraine’s Ambassador-at-Large for Belarus, Ihor Kyzym, also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the politicians discussed ways to hold the regime accountable and support civil society and the media.
BELARUS–UKRAINE. On February 23, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the Ukrainian Ambassador-at-Large for Belarus, Ihor Kyzym. The Belarusian leader congratulated Mr. Kyzym on his appointment and expressed her solidarity and support for Ukraine. The politicians discussed the Belarus–Ukraine dialogue and possible cooperation between democratic Belarus and Ukraine.
BELARUS–USA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya hosted Christopher Smith in her Office in Vilnius. The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern Europe was in Vilnius as part of the Strategic Dialogue between the democratic forces of Belarus and the United States. During the meeting, the parties discussed the situation with political prisoners and the tragic death of Ihar Lednik, the Strategic Dialogue activities scheduled for 2024, as well as support for civil society and the repressed. Christopher Smith informed Ms. Tsikhanouskaya about the new sanctions package against the Lukashenka regime and its accomplices for their involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the displacement of Ukrainian children from the occupied territories to Belarus.
CONFERENCE OF BELARUSIAN DIASPORA. At the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora will be held in Prague on March 23-24. The conference will focus on strengthening the potential of the Belarusian diaspora and bolstering cooperation in key areas. Registration is available at the link.
YOUTH POLICY. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, became the first-ever representative of Belarus in the Council of Europe’s Advisory Council on Youth. The Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe is a unique platform for cooperation between government bodies and youth organizations of the continent. In fact, the decisions made during its discussions determine youth policy throughout all of Europe. “My priority will be to protect the interests of young people from all over Europe and, of course, from Belarus. I will aim to gain full support from the member states of the Council of Europe in Belarus’ pursuit of democracy. For us, this will mean strengthening the support for Belarusians in the international arena”, explained Ms. Vorykhava.
CONVERSATIONS WITH BELARUSIANS. This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her Advisor on Legal Affairs, Kristina Rikhter, held weekly talks with Belarusians to discuss the issues they face both in Belarus and abroad.
On February 22, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also held a conversation with Belarusians in Ukraine. At the meeting, Belarusians shared the problems they are currently facing – blocking of bank accounts, problems with the legalization of stay, non-recognition of their university degrees, and expired passports. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya pledged to hand the list of problems over to Ihor Kyzym and other contacts in Ukraine. The Belarusian leader also called on Belarusians to support Belarusian volunteer fighters in Ukraine.
MEDIA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to AP (International), BelSAT (Belarus), L’Express (France), Express (Great Britain), TG3 (Italy), La Stampa (Italy), Voice of America (International).
