On the first day of her visit to The Hague, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with members of the Dutch government, civil society, and experts.
📌 With the Prime Minister, Dirk Schoof, the Belarusian leader discussed the non-recognition of the Lukashenka regime and the January 26 sham election. The Prime Minister assured Ms. Tsikhanouskaya that the Netherlands’ policy will remain consistent and principled.
📌 With the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya talked about:
- The release of political prisoners, including those kept incommunicado.
- Regional security, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus.
- Belarus’ role in potential peace negotiations on Ukraine.
- Increased pressure on the Lukashenka regime.
- Support for Belarusian civil society through MATRA and the Human Rights Fund.
- Enhanced support for independent media and human rights organizations.
📌 Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meeting with NGOs at the Helsinki Committee’s Office focused on:
- Campaigns to release political prisoners and counter transnational repression.
- Cooperation with Belarusian civil society, human rights defenders, and journalists.
- Support for Lithuania’s referral of the Lukashenka regime’s crimes to the International Criminal Court.
📌 Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and international affairs experts from the Clingendael Institute discussed:
- Dutch and EU strategies for Belarus.
- Possible developments in the region.
- Regional and national security issues.
- Policy recommendations for the Dutch government and the international community prepared by the Institute.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am glad that the Netherlands maintains a principled stance on Belarus and is committed to supporting Belarusians. It is crucial that the government distinguishes between the regime and the Belarusian people, as well as between Belarus and Russia. We must not be lumped together. The Netherlands will not recognize the January 26 ‘election’, will continue supporting our journalists and civil society, and will ensure that Belarus remains a priority on the EU agenda”.
