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 the recent restrictions against Belarusian-registered vehicles. A meeting with diplomats from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia was held at Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius. Franak Viacorka also held consultations with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, and Parliament. Pavel Latushka had a phone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Poland. The democratic forces of Belarus proposed allowing cars with Belarusian license plates to enter the EU provided that the owner is present in the vehicle and the car is not for sale.
Previously, Latvia and Estonia banned the entry of Belarusian-registered vehicles, while Lithuania implemented a one-month delayed restriction. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya released a statement noting that the new restrictions affect Belarusians rather than the Lukashenka regime. The restrictions do not affect passenger transportation, while Belarusians living in the EU can re-register their cars.
30 YEARS OF DICTATORSHIP
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office organized the exhibition “30 Years of Dictatorship in 30 Posters”, which will run until the end of August outside the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius. Posters by Belarusian designer Arthur Vakarov showcase the catastrophic consequences of authoritarianism faced by Belarus during Lukashenka’s rule. The exhibition’s opening was attended by members of the Lithuanian Seimas, the European Parliament, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
NEW BELARUS CONFERENCE
The New Belarus Conference 2024 will take place in Vilnius on August 2-5, gathering politicians, activists, journalists, and experts to discuss the democratic forces’ plans for 2025. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office invited Belarusians to share their thoughts and complete a feedback form for the conference to understand their concerns and issues.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH BELARUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on Belarusians and the international community to join the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus on August 9. Rallies, pickets, and concerts will take place worldwide.
SECURITY IN SIGNAL
There has been an increase in phishing attempts targeting Belarusian activists on Signal recently. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office prepared recommendations for secure use of the messenger.
SURVEY ON NEEDS OF BELARUSIAN YOUTH
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, launched a survey for Belarusian youth both inside the country and abroad to identify their needs and develop a future work strategy.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to AtlanticCouncil, FREEDOM (Ukraine), Veridica (Romania), and Lithuanian stories (Italy + international).
Articles about Belarus were released by EU’s Euractiv, Atlantic Council, 20 minutos (first piece, second piece), and One Decision.
