VISIT TO VILNIUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a visit to Vilnius, where she took part in the ceremonial raising of the white-red-white flag near the Seimas of Lithuania and delivered a speech at the opening of a roundtable discussion at the Seimas on the role of Belarus in regional security and cooperation with the democratic forces.
She also met with former political prisoners who were released and deported to Lithuania on March 18 as part of the release of 250 people.
VISIT TO BERLIN
In Berlin, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in an international discussion on countering transnational repression, where she called for joint solutions and stronger cooperation between states, media, and civil society. She urged partners to support Belarusians in exile, noting that this is important both for their safety and for Europe’s own security.
She also presented the medal of the United Transitional Cabinet, “For Distinguished Work for the Benefit of Belarus”, to German journalist, writer, and Belarus researcher Ingo Petz.
VISIT TO WASHINGTON
On March 31 — April 1, Diplomatic Advisor Dzianis Kuchynski visited Washington on behalf of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. He held meetings with:
- Andy Baker, National Security Advisor to US President Donald Trump;
- Charles McLaughlin, Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for European Affairs;
- John Coale, Special Envoy to Belarus;
- Christopher Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern Europe;
- and other politicians.
The discussions focused on the release of political prisoners and strengthening support for Belarus. Mr. Kuchynski also called for maintaining a principled stance and cooperation between the United States and Europe regarding the regime in Belarus.
VISIT TO ROME
On April 2–3, Dzianis Kuchynski, joined by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, and Head of the Belarusian Democratic Community Center in Florence, Yuliya Yukhno, visited Italy to finalize previous agreements and coordinate further support for Belarus.
Meetings were held at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the Office of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Talks included discussions with PM Meloni’s Deputy Diplomatic Advisor, Pietro Sferra Carini, and Deputy Secretary-General and Director-General for Political Affairs and International Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cecilia Piccioni.
MARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Throughout March, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya continued its work in supporting political prisoners, strengthening international cooperation, and reinforcing the role of the democratic forces. Follow the link for the highlights of the Office’s work in March.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office also released the monthly recap for March and February, summarizing key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian democratic community activists and NGOs.
STATEMENT ON PASSPORT INVALIDATION
A check of passports of released political prisoners through the official Ministry of Internal Affairs service has shown that the documents have been declared invalid. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, released a statement: “The Lukashenka regime is trying to use passports as a tool of pressure and punishment. However, under international law, such actions do not deprive individuals of their rights and should not be automatically recognized by other states. This is a deliberate attempt to make Belarusians more vulnerable outside the country, which is why a consolidated international response is needed”. Read more on the website.
“DAY OF UNITY OF BELARUS AND RUSSIA”
On April 2, the regime marked the so-called “Day of Unity of Belarus and Russia.” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “Russia’s presence throughout Belarus is not friendship, but the price Aliaksandr Lukashenka has been paying for 30 years out of the pockets of Belarusians to help him stay in power. And Belarusians are paying for it with their security, sovereignty, and future. Belarusians do not need such ‘unity’. We need a Belarus that decides for itself where to go, whom to befriend, and how to live”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Pavel Tereshkovich, also shared reflections on whether this is a day of “unity” or “absorption”.
EXTENSION OF UN MANDATES
The UN Human Rights Council extended the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus for another year. This confirms that the international community does not intend to ignore the ongoing terror and legal chaos in Belarus.
Leanid Marozau: “We will continue our close cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms and thank the EU delegation for its initiative, as well as all 28 countries that supported the resolution. This is an important step in our shared effort to restore the rule of law in Belarus”.
ANATOLI LIABEDZKA’S COMMENT ON RECENT NEWS
In the new episode of “As Is”, Anatoli Liabedzka analyzed recent political developments in Belarus and internationally. He explained that the new party law effectively destroys multiparty politics and reflected on possible contacts between Lukashenka and the United States, as well as Europe’s possible role in those contacts. Watch the episode on YouTube.
MEDIA
EurActiv (International), Belsat (Belarus), Bloomberg (International), TVP Wilno (Poland), LRytas (Lithuania), ELTA (Lithuania), BNS (Lithuania), TV3 (Lithuania), Kauno diena (Lithuania), Kauno diena (Lithuania).
