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 Economic Forum, and Lantos Foundation, and delivered a speech at the University of Pennsylvania. The US Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt M. Campbell, officially welcomed the Belarusian leader in Washington.
On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya met with leaders and foreign ministers of over 40 countries, leaders of international organizations, and UN representatives. This included meetings with the foreign ministers of Sweden, Australia, France, Lithuania, Estonia, Canada, the new Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell.
A hearing on Belarus was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, organized thanks to the delegations from the European Union, Estonia, Lithuania, Spain, Germany, and France. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged continued pressure on the regime and the search for diplomatic ways to free political prisoners. Several countries confirmed their intention to contribute to the International Humanitarian Fund to support the repressed in Belarus.
In her meeting with Josep Borrell, the Belarusian leader discussed the situation with political prisoners in Belarus and support for independent media and civil society. With the US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed ways to hold the perpetrators of repression to account.
Much of the discussion during the sessions focused on the war in Ukraine, peace negotiations, and regional security. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that only a democratic Belarus can ensure regional peace.
During the visit, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya presented the Cross of Good Neighborhood to the former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also attended the premiere of a Free Belarusian Theater play about Katsiaryna Snytsina, a Belarusian basketball player, and met with the Belarusian diaspora in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington.
Find photos from the visit at the link.
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 57th SESSION
The UN Human Rights Council held a hearing on September 23 in Geneva on the situation with human rights in Belarus before and after the 2020 presidential election.
The hearing highlighted the systematic attacks by the Lukashenka regime on civil society, the instrumentalization of Belarus’ judicial system to suppress dissent, and the state’s failure to meet its international human rights obligations. The majority of UN Human Rights Council member states, including EU countries, fully supported the initiation of work by an independent expert group on Belarus.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered the closing remarks: “Belarusian prisons are death traps. I urge the United Nations to act. I call on world leaders to make the release of political prisoners a priority. Speak out. Use your influence”.
ALES BIALIATSKI’S BIRTHDAY
On September 25, Belarusian human rights defender and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski spent his 62nd birthday behind bars. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released an address: “The regime threw him behind bars simply because he spoke the truth, documented the repressions, and helped the people affected by them. Thanks to his work, the world knew the truth about the situation in our country”.
Solidarity rallies were held in many cities across Europe in support of the imprisoned human rights defender, including in Warsaw and Białystok (Poland), Vilnius and Klaipėda (Lithuania), Prague (Czech Republic), and Brussels (Belgium). The Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in Prague launched an exhibition dedicated to Ales Bialiatski.
ANDREI HNIOT’S CASE
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team continued to work on Andrei Hniot’s case, fully supporting his fight for freedom.
GUIDE ON ASSISTANCE TO BELARUSIANS IN EXILE
The Council of Europe released a guide for European MPs and politicians, outlining specific steps that can help Belarusians outside the country. The document contains political recommendations and proposals on issues faced by Belarusians in exile.
COOPERATION WITH THE POLISH SENATE
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, held a working meeting with the Deputy Marshal of the Polish Senate, Michał Kamiński. During the meeting, they discussed and finalized agreements and cooperation plans, including:
- Meetings with the Belarusian diaspora in Poland;
- Internships for four Belarusians in the Polish Senate;
- A meeting of representatives of the Alliance of Groups “For a Democratic Belarus” during Poland’s Presidency of the EU;
- Preparations for the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Polish Senate and the democratic forces of Belarus;
- A presentation of the package of New Belarus legislative proposals in the Polish Senate on Constitution Day.
PREVENTING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, attended a meeting of the Committee of Experts on the Prevention of Violence Against Children (ENF-VAE), organized by the Council of Europe. The event discussed the following issues:
- Recommendations for comprehensive sex education;
- Strategies for implementing inclusive and effective sex education programs;
- Consultations for children and young people. Methods of involving youth in policymaking processes and ensuring their voices are heard in relevant initiatives;
- Opportunities for cooperation to enhance the impact in education and youth engagement.
RESOLVING ISSUES FACED BY BELARUSIAN STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND ACADEMICS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, took part in organizing the conference “Overcoming Authoritarian Patterns in School Education: Pedagogical Attitudes, Communicative Practices, Emotional Regimes” in Vilnius. The event gathered academic representatives, civil society, and international partners to discuss ways to strengthen educational and civil initiatives for Belarusians in exile. The focus was on practical solutions to the problems faced by Belarusian students, teachers, and academics.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was interviewed or featured in articles by POLITICO (international), CEPA (international), DW (international), Tagesspiegel (Germany), The Hill (USA), and Voice of America (international).
