WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. For the second year in a row, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos to represent Belarusians’ position on the situation in the region and the war in Ukraine, secure the support of international organizations and political leaders, and find new allies and partners. The Belarusian leader spoke twice at closed meetings of world leaders, where representatives of almost 50 countries gathered. Together with representatives of the Economic Team of her Office, the National Anti-Crisis Management, and the Association of Belarusian Businesses Abroad (ABBA), the leader made a speech during the side event on Belarus at the House of Greece, which focused on the situation in Belarus.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered her remarks during the main program of the Forum. The first discussion addressed the collective security of Europe. At the second panel, the Belarusian leader discussed the situation with freedom of speech in the world.
The leader held a number of meetings with world politicians, where she brought up issues important to Belarus, including the release of political prisoners, support for independent media, and the Russian threat to the independence of Belarus. The leader also discussed the legalization of stay issues faced by Belarusians abroad and the recognition of the new Belarusian passport. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya established contacts with representatives of Hungary, Costa Rica, Kosovo, and Ecuador. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also visited the Google House and presented several proposals from Belarusian independent media and civil society to the management of Google.
ANNIVERSARY OF 1863 UPRISING. On January 21, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, along with the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, and Ukrainian Ambassador to Lithuania, Petro Beshta, honored the memory of the heroes who participated in the 1863-1864 Uprising. Memorial events dedicated to the anniversary of the revolutionary events took place in Vilnius and included Holy Mass at the Cathedral, followed by a solemn ceremony at the Rasos Cemetery, where the prominent figures of the liberation movement, Kastus Kalinouski and Zygmunt Sierakowski, are buried. During the ceremony, the Belarusian leader made a speech, which she dedicated to the indomitable spirit of Belarusians and the unity of the people in the fight against tyranny.
REGIME’S SHAM ELECTION. At the World Economic Forum, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the upcoming sham election to Lukashenka’s parliament. “The so-called “parliamentary election” has nothing to do with a democratic procedure. It is a farce, imitation, a circus show – and the people in Belarus know that. An event like this regime-orchestrated campaign cannot define a country’s future. Therefore, we urge people not to show any protest activity at all. Instead, we propose just ignoring the “election” without putting their freedom and life at risk in vain. The parliamentary “election” will change nothing in Belarus”, emphasized the Belarusian leader.
BELARUS-FINLAND. Finland became the 24th country in the Alliance of parliamentary groups “For a Democratic Belarus”. During her working visit to Helsinki, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, along with her Advisor for Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, had a meeting with the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Jussi Halla-aho, where they agreed to create a group “For a Democratic Belarus”. As a result of this meeting, Finland became the 24th country with a parliamentary inter-factional group in support of Belarus. “We discussed several fields of joint work. First, the possibility of internships for young Belarusians in the Finnish Parliament. The second is reviews and legal expertise of draft laws for the new Belarus. The third is cooperation in international organizations”, commented Anatoli Liabedzka.
LEGALIZATION OF STAY IN LATVIA. Vitali Malchanau, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative for Latvia and Estonia, held negotiations with the Latvian Ministry of the Interior regarding the legalization of stay for Belarusians in Latvia whose passports have either expired or are close to expiration. “Unfortunately, Latvian legislation currently does not provide for alien passports. However, thanks to cooperation from the Ministry of Interior, as well as the country’s leadership, we found a solution that will protect Belarusians. For help in the legalization of stay in Latvia, please contact us via the Telegram bot @AskOffice_Bot or email askoffice@tsikhanouskaya.org, providing details of your case”, commented Vitali Malchanau on the outcomes of the meeting.
LEGALIZATION OF STAY IN CZECHIA. The Czech Republic abandoned its requirement of apostilles from Belarusians holding long-term visas, residence permits, or permanent residency. This was announced by the Representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in the Czech Republic, Kryścina Šyjanok: “We are pleased to announce that the Czech authorities have responded to our request, and the requirement of apostilling documents issued in Belarus has been suspended for those residing in the Czech Republic with a Czech long-term visa, residence permit, or permanent residency. We hope that this decision will simplify the lives of those among you who are unable to travel to Belarus”.
SOLIDARITY WITH POLITICAL PRISONERS. On January 15, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, announced that she had become a symbolic godmother for Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya invited Ms. Metsola to do so during their meeting on January 13 in Vilnius. “Roberta’s announcement today is another proof that we are not alone in our struggle. When one of our international partners takes on the role of godparent for even just one of our heroes, my heart fills with warmth. This act shows that we have gained another powerful voice to remind the whole world about our heroes”, commented the Belarusian leader.
CONVERSATIONS WITH BELARUSIANS. Next week, January 22, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will hold personal conversations with Belarusians. This is a good opportunity for Belarusians to talk directly with the Belarusian leader. Registration is available at the link.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office released a guide on its volunteer program. Belarusians who want to join it can do so by using the Telegram bot @AskOffice_bot.
MEDIA. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Zerkalo (Belarus), TVN24 (1, 2) (Poland), Radio Racia (1, 2) (Belarus), Polskie Radio (Poland), MTV (Finland), Vasabladet (Finland), Helsingin Sanomat (Finland), Yle Nyheter TV (Finland), Turun Sanomat (Finland), Ilta-Sanomat (Finland), Keskisuomalainen (Finland), Demokraatti (Finland), Salon Seudun Sanomat: SSS (Finland), and Radio Yle (Finland).
