CONFERENCE OF BELARUSIANS OF THE WORLD
From May 23–25, Warsaw will host the 4th Conference of Belarusians of the World. The event will bring together diaspora representatives to discuss support for political prisoners, coordination of joint efforts, and cultural and educational initiatives.
To make the conference program as relevant as possible to participants’ expectations and needs, the Office invites them to fill out a short survey.
DISAPPEARANCE OF THE COORDINATION COUNCIL’S SPEAKER
For over two weeks, there has been no contact with Anzhalika Melnikava, the Coordination Council’s speaker. Representatives of democratic forces and the Polish authorities are working to locate her. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked everyone assisting in clarifying the situation and urged the public to avoid speculation. Stanislava Hlynnik is temporarily fulfilling the duties of the Coordination Council’s speaker.
BELARUS’S EUROPEAN FUTURE
On April 11, the Office of Democratic Forces in Prague hosted a conference titled «The European Future of Belarus: Choosing Values, Not Fear», with the participation of Belarusian and Czech politicians, diplomats, and experts. Topics included support for Ukraine, the European choice of Belarusians, and the integration of democratic forces into the EU. The event was held in partnership with the Prague Centre for Transatlantic Relations (PCTR).
ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE LUKASHENKA REGIME
A delegation of Belarusian democratic forces participated in the PACE session in Strasbourg, taking part in committee discussions. At their initiative, a clause was added to the final resolution affirming the responsibility of the Lukashenka regime. In addition to Russia and North Korea, the jurisdiction of the Council of Europe’s Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine “must also extend to alleged acts of aggression committed by the so-called Belarusian leadership.”
MEETING WITH CZECH PARLIAMENTARIANS
On April 7 in Vilnius, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed a delegation of Czech parliamentarians. They discussed the situation of political prisoners, regional security, and the Czech Republic’s support for Belarusian democratic activists and independent media.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINSK METRO TERRORIST ATTACK
In 2011, an explosion in the Minsk metro claimed 15 people and injured over 200. The regime swiftly named perpetrators and executed them—without a transparent investigation or fair trial. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians: “A regime that hides the truth, executes people without transparent judicial process, and turns death into a tool of control cannot be a guarantor of public safety. This is state terrorism.”
IGFM GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN BONN
The International Society for Human Rights (IGFM) has published a final report from its 53rd annual conference held in March 2025 in Bonn. At the event, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Legal Advisor, Leanid Marozau, presented the current situation regarding more than 1,200 political prisoners in Belarus and emphasized the importance of international support for their release and the restoration of democracy.
DECREE ON PRIVATE TUTORING REGULATIONS
A draft decree has been prepared in Belarus to regulate private tutoring activities. According to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, the document demonstrates a clear attempt at state control and distrust of educators outside the official system.
NEW YOUTH LAW
Marharyta Vorykhava, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, and her team are developing a new concept for a Youth Law for the New Belarus. It is based on international standards—from the UN and the Council of Europe to the European Union Youth Guarantee.
You can join the effort to shape the future of Belarusian youth and comment on the draft via this link.
EXTREMIST GROUPS LIST EXPANDED
This week, the regime once again expanded its list of extremist formations. Added to the list were investigative journalists from Buro Media and the initiative to support women political prisoners, “Palitvyazynka”, which was forced to suspend its work after the announcement. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Humanity and honesty are labeled extremism only by those incapable of either.”
WORLD HEALTH DAY
For World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya remarked: “In such conditions, doctors bear an immense burden. They work tirelessly—sometimes without rest, even without a lunch break. It is their professionalism and dedication that keep the Belarusian healthcare system afloat in the absence of state support. I admire the resilience and selflessness of our medical workers when I hear of the hardships they face.”
PROTECTION AGAINST RECRUITMENT
Belarusians are increasingly facing threats of deception, disinformation, and recruitment attempts, especially from representatives of propaganda outlets and security agencies. They use personal contacts, messengers, pressure on relatives, and disinformation to extract information or coerce cooperation.
The Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has prepared key safety guidelines to help you and your loved ones stay secure.
MEDIA
This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Radio Racyja (Belarus), CNN Greece (Greece), Economic Review (Greece), The President (Greece), RAI News (Italy), iROZHLAS (Czech Republic), and RTP (Portugal).
