March in Warsaw, visits to Brussels and London, meeting at the Lithuanian Government Office. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 17–23

FREEDOM DAY On March 25, Belarusians will celebrate Freedom Day, one of the most important national holidays. A key event ahead of the celebration was the march in Warsaw, held on Sunday. Another march in Vilnius is scheduled for Tuesday. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya invited Belarusians to join the celebrations – an opportunity to honor their history, […]

March 24, 2025

Visit to Strasbourg, Freedom Day. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 10–16

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE On March 11–12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg alongside former political prisoner Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for continued support for Ukraine, European unity, and increased aid for independent media and civil society – emphasizing that such support is also an investment in Europe’s security. […]

March 17, 2025

Visit to Italy, solidarity action for political prisoners, meeting with leaders of Belarusian NGOs. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: March 3–9

VISIT TO ITALY Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited four cities during a working visit to Italy. She held several high-level meetings, including with Florence Mayor Sara Funaro and Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore. They discussed a possible shelter for political refugees from Belarus, internships, scholarships for students, and exchange programs. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also visited the Polish War Cemetery, […]

March 10, 2025

Meeting with a former political prisoner, address on the anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine, meeting at the Lithuanian Ministry of Education, and International Day of Solidarity with Belarus. Weekly updates from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: February 24 – March 2

MEETING WITH ALENA MAUSHUK On February 27, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Alena Maushuk at her office in Vilnius. Alena, a mother of five, was arrested in 2020 along with her husband during a protest rally and later sentenced to six years in prison, losing her parental rights. She spent four and a half years behind […]

March 04, 2025

Meeting with ambassadors in Vilnius, visit to Sweden, International Mother Language Day. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for February 17-23

MEETING WITH AMBASSADORS Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with ambassadors and heads of missions from 25 countries in Vilnius to discuss ways to secure the release of political prisoners, the military and political situation in the region, and support for independent media. She emphasized that sanctions must remain in force to keep pressure on the regime until […]

February 24, 2025

Political prisoner release, Munich Security Conference, visits to Brussels and Paris. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for February 10-16

RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS On February 12, three political prisoners in Belarus were announced to have been released: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Andrei Kuznechyk, mother of multiple children Alena Maushuk, and an unnamed United States citizen. All of them are now in a safe place. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am deeply grateful to President Trump, […]

February 19, 2025

Visit to Albania, Kościuszko Forum, sham election outcomes. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for February 3–9, 2025

KOŚCIUSZKO FORUM On February 3–4, the Kościuszko Forum took place in Gdańsk, Poland, organized by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of Poland’s EU Council Presidency. The event gathered foreign ministers from Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, and Ukraine, along with diplomats from over 15 countries. The forum was opened by Radosław Sikorski and Sviatlana […]

February 10, 2025

Report on sham election, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Belarusian delegation at PACE. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for January 27 – February 2

2025 SHAM ELECTION On January 26, a so-called “presidential election” took place in Belarus. It was not recognized by the international community and failed to restore Lukashenka’s legitimacy. In response, the democratic forces launched the “Belarusians Deserve Better” campaign, opposing the fraudulent election. The campaign culminated in a forum in Warsaw and a march on […]

February 03, 2025

Sham election in Belarus, visit to Davos, “Belarusians Deserve Better” Forum. Updates of work of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office for January 20-26

NON-RECOGNITION OF THE “ELECTION” Another so-called “election” took place in Belarus, with Lukashenka being “re-elected”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office compiled a list of countries and international organizations that have officially rejected the sham campaign. PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos, meeting with the President of Latvia, […]

January 27, 2025

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