WARSAW SECURITY FORUM
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joined the Warsaw Security Forum, where she held a series of meetings and joined discussions on the Russian threat, support for Ukraine, and Belarus’s security. She participated in the panel “The Democratic Front: Leadership Against Russian Authoritarianism” and spoke at the roundtable “Belarus: Full-Scale Militarization”, where BELPOL presented a report on the Lukashenka regime’s military cooperation with Russia.
On the sidelines of the forum, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Marcos Perestrello, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, and other international partners. The parties discussed the release of political prisoners, sanctions against the Lukashenka regime, ways to counter transnational repression, support for Belarusian volunteer fighters in Ukraine, and preparations for democratic change in Belarus.
MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE DISCUSSION IN WARSAW
On October 14, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the European Defense Townhall discussion at the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH), organized as part of the Munich Security Conference. The event brought together more than 300 participants, including representatives from Poland, Romania, and international security organizations.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya highlighted the threats posed by Russia’s military presence in Belarus, the deployment of nuclear weapons, and the use of Belarusian territory to launch hybrid attacks against European countries. She stressed that a free and democratic Belarus is essential to the security of NATO’s eastern flank.
SIMPLIFIED RESIDENCE PERMITS FOR BELARUSIANS IN IRELAND
On October 15, Ireland announced that Belarusians with expired passports would be able to renew their residence permits in the country. The decision followed several months of work involving the Belarusian diaspora in Ireland and the democratic forces. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, confirmed the Office’s readiness to help Belarusian refugees demonstrate why they are unable to obtain new passports. Spain, Sweden, and Denmark had previously adopted similar decisions.
TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION
On October 14, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke in Warsaw at an event titled “Transnational Repression by the Lukashenka Regime: A Coordinated International Response is Needed”, held as part of the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.
Two new studies were presented: the latest iSANS report on the evolution of transnational repression and the “Wanted by Dictator: Red Notice State” report, prepared by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in partnership with BELPOL and with support from Cyber Partisans. The discussion focused on the methods that the Lukashenka regime uses to persecute Belarusians in exile and the possible coordinated international response.
VILNIUS FREEDOM SUMMIT
On October 15, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered the keynote speech at the Vilnius Freedom Summit, organized by Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Freedom House. The summit brought together representatives of democratic governments, human rights defenders, former political prisoners, and civil society from Europe and Latin America.
Participants discussed support for political prisoners, the rehabilitation of those released, ways to counter cooperation between authoritarian regimes, and the protection of people from repression. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on democratic countries to maintain unity and solidarity in standing up to dictatorships.
UN REPORT ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN BELARUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Inclusion and Equality, Julia Mickiewicz, commented on the report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus, Nils Muižnieks, on violations of women’s rights in Belarus. The report highlights the systemic nature of discrimination against women in Belarus and the use of legislation as a tool of political persecution.
MOTHER’S DAY ADDRESS
On October 14, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the occasion of Mother’s Day. She highlighted the struggles of Belarusian mothers affected by political repression, forced exile, and separation from their children.
MEDIA
Washington Examiner (the United States), POLITICO (International), TVP World (video, Poland), ČTK (the Czech Republic), Česká televize (the Czech Republic), ELTA (Lithuania), Le Devoir (Canada), TVP Wilno (Poland), Polskie Radio (Poland).
