Visit to the Netherlands, International Criminal Court referral, political prisoners’ release. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for January 12-19
VISIT TO THE HAGUE On January 12-13, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya conducted a working visit to The Hague, meeting with: Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dirk Schoof; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Martin Bosma; NGOs at the Helsinki Committee office; experts from the Clingendael Institute; the Belarusian diaspora in the […]
January 20, 2025
Visit to Poland, meetings with PACE rapporteurs and Lithuanian Seimas Speaker. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for January 6-12
VISIT TO POLAND Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya conducted a working visit to Warsaw, meeting with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, the Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, the Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Krzysztof Paszyk, and the Marshal of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia. Poland […]
January 15, 2025
New Year’s address, holiday greetings for political prisoners’ children, response to sham election. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 30 – January 5
NEW YEAR’S ADDRESS Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered her New Year’s message to Belarusians, broadcasted on all official platforms. Despite the authorities blocking access to YouTube in Belarus for the second year in a row, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya’s address surpassed Lukashenka’s in viewership. Read the text version of the address. HOLIDAY GREETINGS FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS’ CHILDREN Representatives of […]
January 06, 2025
Meeting with Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Christmas address, visit to Berlin. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 23-29
MEETING WITH LITHUANIA’S FOREIGN MINISTER On December 27, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Lithuania’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys. They discussed Belarusian-Lithuanian cooperation, support for the democratic forces and independent media, pressure on the Lukashenka regime, and the referral of its crimes to the International Criminal Court. CHRISTMAS Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya extended greetings to Belarusians […]
December 30, 2024
2025 sham election, Free Belarusians Congress, youth platform launch. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 16-22
2025 SHAM ELECTION The democratic forces continue preparations for the so-called ‘election’ in 2025. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, addressed Belarusians regarding the campaign this week: “Let’s be honest – this is not a real election. The alternative candidates are members of Lukashenka’s fan club, conditions for observation and voting are nonexistent, and civil […]
December 24, 2024
Belarus Days in Brussels. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 9-15, 2024
VISIT TO BRUSSELS From December 9 to 13, Brussels hosted the Belarus Days, organized by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission in collaboration with the European Parliament. During the visit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the 4th session of the EU-Belarus Consultative Group, the high-level conference on Belarus “Standing with the People […]
December 16, 2024
Strategic Dialogue with the USA, Belarusian–Lithuanian conference. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for December 2–8
BELARUS–USA STRATEGIC DIALOGUE The second round of the Strategic Dialogue between the United States government and the democratic forces of Belarus took place in Vilnius. The meeting was chaired by the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Christopher Smith, and the National Leader of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Representatives of Belarusian democratic institutions, civil society, human […]
December 09, 2024
Visit to Canada, denied extradition in Poland, solidarity rally for Vasil Verameichyk. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for November 25 – December 1
VISIT TO CANADA The first session of strategic consultations between the government of Canada and the democratic forces of Belarus took place in Ottawa, resembling the Strategic Dialogue previously established with the United States. The decision to hold these consultations was made during Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meeting with the Foreign Minister of Canada, Mélanie Joly. The […]
December 03, 2024
Response to Vasil Verameichyk’s extradition to Belarus, visits to Estonia, Austria and Canada, 1000 days of war in Ukraine. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for November 18-24
RESPONSE TO THE EXTRADITION OF EX-WARRIOR TO BELARUS Belarusian citizen Vasil Verameichyk, who previously fought against Russian aggression in Ukraine as part of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, was extradited this week from Vietnam to Belarus. Vasil moved to Ukraine after participating in the 2020 protests in Belarus and became the Deputy Commander of the Volat […]
November 26, 2024
Maryia Kalesnikava’s meeting with her father, preparations for 2025 sham election, Ostrozhsky Forum in Kyiv. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for November 11-17, 2024
MARYIA KALESNIKAVA’S MEETING WITH HER FATHER On November 12, Maryia Kalesnikava met her father in the prison hospital. It was not reported whether Ms. Kalesnikava is currently being treated or whether she was brought for the meeting from a punishment ward, where she is most likely being held. The last time Maryia and her father […]
November 19, 2024
Belarus and Council of Europe, fall of the Berlin Wall, release of political prisoners, commemoration of Raman Bandarenka. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for November 4-10
VISIT TO STRASBOURG Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Strasbourg this week. During the working trip, the Belarusian leader met with the leadership of the Council of Europe and took part in the World Forum for Democracy. As a result of the visit, the Council of Europe will establish the Information Office for Belarus in Vilnius, as well […]
November 11, 2024
Visit to Iceland, Andrei Hniot’s release, mass arrests in Belarus. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for October 28 to November 3, 2024
VISIT TO ICELAND Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Iceland, speaking at the 76th session of the Nordic Council and meeting with the prime ministers, parliament speakers, and foreign ministers of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. She called for leadership in supporting Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also met with the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, and MPs from […]
November 04, 2024
Democratic forces’ statement on 2025 presidential “election”, Luxembourg Solutions summary, registration of Belarusian vehicles in Latvia. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for October 21-27
DEMOCRATIC FORCES’ JOINT STATEMENT ON THE 2025 “ELECTION” The democratic forces of Belarus released a joint statement regarding the 2025 presidential “election” in Belarus, scheduled for January 26. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also addressed Belarusians regarding the sham election PRACTICAL OUTCOMES OF LUXEMBOURG SOLUTIONS Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office released a summary of the recommendations provided in the document […]
October 29, 2024
Visits to Germany and Poland, Ivulin Cup, Mother’s Day in Belarus. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for October 14-20
PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2025 CAMPAIGN Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the Coordination Council are preparing a joint strategy for the regime’s so-called election scheduled for 2025. The democratic forces of Belarus call for its non-recognition and intend to conduct an alternative awareness campaign. VISIT TO GERMANY On October 14-15, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited […]
October 21, 2024
Visit to Norway, new UN Rapporteur on Belarus, “This is Youth” platform. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for October 7-13
VISIT TO NORWAY Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Norway, where she spoke at a seminar on political prisoners in Oslo. The seminar was previously discussed during the April meeting with the Speaker of the Norwegian Parliament, Masud Gharahkhani. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for international support and efforts for the release of all political prisoners, including Ales Bialiatski. She […]
October 15, 2024
Visit to Poland, ICC referral, OSCE conference. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for September 30 – October 6
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT REFERRAL Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office reported that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has received a referral from Lithuania to launch an investigation into the crimes of the Lukashenka regime committed against Belarusians following the 2020 election. Find answers to the frequently answered questions about the referral at the link. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel […]
October 09, 2024
UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Council. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for September 23-29
VISIT TO THE USA Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was on a working visit to the United States this week, attending events held in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Chicago, including within the UN General Assembly. She also participated in the events held by the Atlantic Council, Clinton Global Initiative, Concordia, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, CEPA, World […]
September 30, 2024
Release of political prisoners, aid to flood victims, launch of International Humanitarian Fund. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for September 16-22
LAUNCH OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN FUND Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, together with Belarusian human rights defenders, presented the International Humanitarian Fund to support the repressed. The fund, already supported by Sweden and Norway (with contributions totaling €1.5 million), will assist political prisoners and their families, with a focus on those inside the country. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that the […]
September 23, 2024
Accountability for human rights violations, support for political prisoners, Andrei Hniot’s case, international cooperation. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for September 9-15
ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE LUKASHENKA REGIME Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, along with Lithuania’s Minister of Justice, addressed the opening of the international conference “Accountability for Crimes and Human Rights Violations in Belarus” in Vilnius. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for gathering evidence of the regime’s crimes, applying universal jurisdiction, and using international court mechanisms to hold the regime accomplices to […]
September 16, 2024
Meetings with Belarusian refugees and former political prisoners, the release of a Belarusian woman in Armenia, and plans for 2025. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for September 2-8
ESCALATION AT THE BELARUSIAN-UKRAINIAN BORDER Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya condemned the regime’s attempts to escalate the situation at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border and the dictator’s statements about the concentration of Belarusian troops in border areas. On September 5, two Russian kamikaze drones, known as “Shahed,” were shot down in Belarus. This is not the first incident; in recent […]
September 12, 2024
Summit of Belarusians of North America, Andrei Hniot’s trial, deportations from Sweden. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for August 26 to September 1, 2024
MEETING WITH MEPs Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Lithuanian Members of the European Parliament to discuss the strategy ahead of the 2025 election in Belarus, the situation on the Belarusian border with Ukraine, and the deportation of Belarusians from the EU. The parties also discussed support for Belarus on the EU agenda and cooperation between democratic […]
September 03, 2024
Solidarity rallies for Andrei Hniot, statement on Armenia, International Humanitarian Fund, Belarus’ Independence Day. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for August 19-25
SOLIDARITY RALLIES FOR ANDREI HNIOT Belarusian diasporas organized worldwide solidarity actions in support of Andrei Hniot, who faces extradition to Belarus from Serbia. The events took place ahead of the appeal court hearing scheduled for August 27. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office is working on this case and fully supports Andrei Hniot in his fight for freedom. […]
August 26, 2024
Political prisoners release, reviewed restrictions against Belarusian-registered vehicles in Lithuania, Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s birthday. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for August 12-18
RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS This week, the possible release of 30 political prisoners in Belarus was announced. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for efforts to secure the release of all those unjustly imprisoned. 15 more people were released from Belarusian prisons in early July. According to human rights defenders, at least 1,400 political prisoners remain incarcerated. REVIEWED […]
August 20, 2024
Fourth anniversary of 2020 presidential election, response to changes in history teaching and pressure on scientists. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for August 5–11
FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN BELARUS On Friday, August 9, rallies were held in different countries to honor the fourth anniversary of protests in Belarus. On this day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for strengthening the Belarusian community abroad and supporting each other in the fight for democratic change. Later, the national leader of Belarus […]
August 12, 2024
New Belarus Conference. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for July 29 – August 4
NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE The New Belarus Conference 2024, organized by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, took place in Vilnius on August 3-4, gathering over 300 representatives of Belarusian civil society organizations and political bodies, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists. More than 100 organizations and initiatives were represented. The conference was watched online by over 70,000 users […]
August 09, 2024
30 years of dictatorship, EU restrictions against Belarusian-registered vehicles. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for July 22-28
DAY OF BELARUSIAN SOVEREIGNTY Belarus adopted its Declaration of State Sovereignty on July 27, 1990. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on this occasion: “Independence begins with each of us taking responsibility for our future”. EU RESTRICTIONS AGAINST BELARUSIAN-REGISTERED VEHICLES Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and the United Transitional Cabinet continued consultations with Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia regarding […]
July 29, 2024
European Political Community Summit, visit to Poland, restrictions at EU border. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for July 15-21, 2024
EUROPEAN POLITICAL COMMUNITY SUMMIT Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the European Political Community Summit held on July 18 in the UK. She was invited by the new UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. During the Summit, the Belarusian leader met with leaders from countries such as Germany, Ukraine, Finland, Italy, Spain, Moldova, Lithuania, Estonia, Croatia, Denmark, the […]
July 22, 2024
Visit to the US, Coordination Council speakers, Tutaka Festival. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for July 8-14, 2024
VISIT TO THE USA From July 9 to 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Washington, where she participated in the NATO Public Forum at the invitation of the Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg. During the visit, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe and co-authored an op-ed with Nancy Pelosi for The Washington Post, highlighting tyranny in […]
July 16, 2024
Release of political prisoners, visit to Latvia, Independence Day in Belarus, and Statehood Day in Vilnius. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for July 1-7, 2024
RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS The release of several political prisoners from Belarusian colonies was announced this week, including Ryhor Kastusiou, who has cancer. Most of the 15 released political prisoners were nearing the end of their sentences. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement calling for seeking freedom for all political prisoners. VISIT TO LATVIA Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya […]
July 08, 2024