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 as launch an internship program for Belarusians. The Coordination Council will take part in the upcoming PACE session. The CoE Contact Group will hold a meeting with the democratic forces of Belarus on December 2.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the solemn events dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Belarusian leader called on the European Union to be the ‘West Berlin’ for Belarusians today. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also met with the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and took part in repainting a Belarus-themed section of the Berlin Wall.
Find photos from the event at the link.
FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY FORUM
On November 7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attended the Future of Democracy Forum in Vilnius, organized by Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the event, the Belarusian leader presented the Cross of Good Neighborhood to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis.
Find photos from the event at the link.
SOLIDARITY RALLY IN VILNIUS
November 12 marks the fourth anniversary of Raman Bandarenka’s death. The Belarusian leader joined a rally to commemorate Raman and all fallen Belarusian heroes.
2025 SHAM ELECTION
The democratic forces of Belarus continue preparations for the 2025 sham election, scheduled by the regime for January 26. As previously mentioned in the joint statement, the Belarusian community calls for not recognizing the election. Preparations are underway for an alternative information campaign.
During her working visit to Strasbourg, the Belarusian leader spoke with RFE/RL’s Belarusian service about the upcoming sham election in Belarus, potential presidential candidates, and the possible release of political prisoners: “Everyone knows that the candidates listed on the ballots are Lukashenka’s people, who will give up their votes for him. So this in no way resembles a free election – it’s merely a show for Lukashenka. Belarusians see this, as do our democratic partners”.
US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election and expressed hope for continued cooperation between the USA and the democratic forces of Belarus, including within the framework of the Strategic Dialogue.
STRATEGIC DIALOGUE WITH THE USA
The democratic forces of Belarus continue preparations for the Strategic Dialogue with the USA, scheduled for the first week of December.
RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
31 more political prisoners were reported to have been released from prisons in Belarus this week. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed this step, calling for the release of all political prisoners and an end to the repression: “Releasing some, the regime continues to torture and imprison others”.
CZECH RESOLUTION ON NON-RECOGNITION OF THE 2025 SHAM ELECTION IN BELARUS
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Czech Parliament adopted a resolution stating that a presidential election in Belarus cannot be held “under the current conditions” and the voting results “will not be considered legitimate”.
NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING ANDREI HNIOT’S RELEASE
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, shared in an interview with Nasha Niva how Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office conducted negotiations with the Serbian authorities regarding the release of Andei Hniot.
Andrei Hniot, a Belarusian film director and activist, was detained on October 30, 2023, by the Serbian border authorities after arriving in Belgrade, after which he was handed over to the police. On October 31, 2024, he left Serbia after being released. Andrei is now safe and in Germany.
LEGALIZATION OF STAY ABROAD FOR BELARUSIANS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office prepared an article explaining the important aspects of residence legalization in the EU on humanitarian grounds for Belarusians.
SITUATION WITH MEDICAL EDUCATION IN BELARUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office released a video about the situation with medical education in Belarus (based on the BYMedSol study), as well as ways to reform it.
PEACE IN BELARUS AND THE REGIME
Alina Kharysava of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office dispelled the myth used by state propaganda in Belarus about the Lukashenka regime being a donor of peace in Belarus and the region.
YOUTH IN BELARUS
Alina Kharysava also spoke about the obstacles young Belarusians face in their daily life, including the rapidly declining level of higher education, mandatory job placements after university, the regime’s efforts to prevent the youth from studying abroad, difficulties in finding a job, and low salaries.
MEDIA
This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was interviewed by Radio Svaboda (RFE/RL’s Belarusian service), Euronews (International), DW News (International), PAP (Poland), BILD (Germany), Tagesspiegel (Germany, full text), and Stern (Germany).
