FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROTESTS
The democratic forces are preparing to mark the 5th anniversary of the 2020 presidential election. On this day, they call on the international community to support Belarusians in their struggle for freedom. The New Belarus Conference in Warsaw will bring together all bodies of the democratic forces and civil society on August 9–10. It will present updates from the United Transitional Cabinet, strategic priorities of the democratic forces, new campaigns, and research findings. Registration is open here.
A solidarity march will take place in Warsaw on August 9 at 15:00 and will be joined by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Pavel Latushka, and other leaders. Similar solidarity events will take place in cities across Europe and the United States, including film screenings, exhibitions, and cultural programs.
On August 7–8, the Coordination Council will hold public hearings with representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet.
VISIT TO BRUSSELS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Brussels, where she addressed the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, calling for support for Ukraine, Belarusian civil society, and independent media. She held meetings with the Assembly’s President, Marcos Perestrello, and with national delegations to the Assembly. She recorded a joint address with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, who announced a new aid package for independent journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society.
MEETINGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND STATE DEPARTMENT
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, met in Washington with the Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump, Andy Baker. They discussed Belarus–US relations, political prisoner releases, and the continuation of the Strategic Dialogue. Mr. Kuchynski also held meetings at the State Department and Congress, as well as took part in the Aspen Security Forum.
SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA’S OFFICE AFTER THE RELEASE OF SIARHEI TSIKHANOUSKI
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians, emphasizing that Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s release has not created any divisions within the democratic forces. She confirmed that the Office remains committed and continues to carry its share of responsibility, while the release of political prisoners and the peaceful resolution of the political crisis remain its top priorities. She assumed that Siarhei may focus on media and public engagement.
COOPERATION WITH TIKTOK
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office held talks with TikTok. As a result, the accounts of Pavel Latushka and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya were unblocked for users in Belarus. Discussions also covered support for Belarusian media, bloggers, and the Belarusian language on the platform.
CIVIL SOCIETY REPORT
Belarusian civil society has released its Alternative Report on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation ahead of the presentation of the Belarus regime’s Voluntary National Review at the UN. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, released a statement on this report: “Thanks to you, the world can see the reality behind the facade without embellishment or manipulation”.
ANNIVERSARY OF ALES BIALIATSKI’S DETENTION
Human rights defender and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski was detained on July 14, 2021. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the fourth anniversary of his detention: “People like Ales are the conscience of our country. We will preserve his legacy and bring closer the day when Ales is free again, continuing the work of his life – helping others”.
CHALLENGES FACED BY YOUTH IN BELARUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, spoke out about the challenges facing Belarusian youth: “Young professionals in Belarus earn five times less than their peers in Europe. Children are taught to dig trenches and patrol borders from an early age”.
WOMEN’S POLITICAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
As part of the Women’s Political Leadership Academy, an online session was held with Gabriela Svárovská, a human rights expert and former diplomat from the Czech Republic. She shared insights from her political and professional career and answered participants’ questions. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Representative in the Czech Republic, Kryścina Šyjanok, moderated the session.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Siarhei Tsikhanouski gave interviews to Radyio Svaboda (Belarus), POLITICO (International), Olesia Batsman (Ukraine), Belsat (Belarus), Dozhd (Russia), The Sunday Times (the UK), BBC (International), Die ZEIT (Germany), DeutschlandRadio (Germany), and Die ZEIT (Germany).
