Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Dubrovnik Forum at the invitation of the Croatian government. The forum, organized by the country’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, gathered over 400 government representatives, diplomats, and experts. The speakers included the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani; the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rosen Zhelyazkov; US Congress members; and members of the European Parliament. This year’s theme was “Channelling the Change”, with a focus on post-war recovery.
During the panel “SOS: Western Values in Distress?”, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that democracy needs protection from populism, disinformation, and dictators who attempt to weaponize democratic tools against democratic values.
📌 On the methods of tyrants
“Lukashenka once called Slobodan Milošević his brother – and copied his methods: to cling to power at any cost, rule through fear, and force people into silence. This is what unites all tyrants: an insatiable thirst for power and complete disregard for human dignity”.
📌 On the world’s moral divide
“Today, the real divide is not between left and right – but between those who believe in freedom and those who endorse tyranny. Between those who consider human rights optional and those who know they are sacred. This is a moral struggle”.
📌 On defending democracy
“If we don’t protect democracy, it can turn against us. Dictators have learned how to abuse democratic instruments – elections, laws, and freedoms – to undermine the very values they are meant to uphold”.
📌 On attempts to discredit democracy
“Authoritarian regimes seek to discredit democracy, to portray it as slow, weak, and chaotic. To say, ‘Look, democracy doesn’t work’. But the truth is that democracy works as long as we defend it”.
