RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
This week, the possible release of 30 political prisoners in Belarus was announced. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for efforts to secure the release of all those unjustly imprisoned.
15 more people were released from Belarusian prisons in early July. According to human rights defenders, at least 1,400 political prisoners remain incarcerated.
REVIEWED RESTRICTIONS AGAINST BELARUSIAN VEHICLES Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office welcomes the exemptions allowing entry to Lithuania for certain Belarusian-registered vehicles. As of August 18, Lithuania will permit entry if:
- The vehicle belongs to a Belarusian citizen who holds a valid Lithuanian visa or residence permit, and the vehicle is not intended for sale;
- The vehicle belongs to an EU citizen residing in Belarus and is used exclusively for personal purposes.
Previously, Latvia had eased its requirements for Belarusians, allowing entry with prior authorization from Latvian authorities. Poland had introduced broad exemptions for holders of Schengen visas and residence permits.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had previously expressed concern that the new EU restrictions would impact Belarusians’ mobility.
HOLIDAY FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS’ CHILDREN IN ROMANIA
With the support of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the Humanitarian Ambulance Service and the Association of Belarusians in America organized a holiday for the children of political prisoners in Romania. The proposal was initiated by the Romanian side following the meeting with the Belarusian leader, where she urged support for families of political prisoners with children.
SIARHEI TSIKHANOUSKI’S BIRTHDAY
On August 18, for the fifth consecutive year, Siarhei Tsikhanouski marked his birthday behind bars. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya recorded a touching message to her husband for his birthday: “It’s your strength and resilience that helps me keep fighting for you and for all our heroes…”
REGIME’S COOPERATION WITH NORTH KOREA
During a visit to Pyongyang, a delegation of the Lukashenka regime visited Kim Il Sung University and University of Pedagogy, agreeing to work on inter-university cooperation. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, commented on the situation: “Designating North Korea as a partner in education means we are moving even further away from the values that could be openly discussed in Belarusian universities at least until 2020, such as academic autonomy and academic freedoms”.
ALLIANCE OF PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS “FOR A DEMOCRATIC BELARUS”
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, released a video address explaining what the concept of the Alliance of Parliamentary Groups “For a Democratic Belarus” and its practical benefits. Mr. Liabedzka called the alliance “a door every Belarusian can knock on when they need help”.
MEETING WITH DEPUTY MARSHAL OF POLISH SENATE
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and Advisor for Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, met with the Deputy Marshal of the Polish Senate, Michał Kamiński. The parties discussed bilateral relations in parliamentary cooperation with Poland and plans for cooperation during Poland’s EU presidency.
ALTERNATIVES FOR A NEW BELARUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, held meetings of the working groups preparing the draft laws “On the Ombudsman for Human Rights” and “On the Police”. The groups discussed cooperation on the draft media law with the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
SUPPORT FOR ANDREI HNIOT
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for support for Andrei Hniot, who is scheduled to appear in court on August 27. The Belarusian movie director was detained by Serbian border authorities on October 30, 2023, on the grounds of being on the international wanted list at the request of the Belarusian Bureau of Interpol. In early July, Interpol canceled its red notice for Andrei Hniot.
PROPOSED APPROACH TO SITUATION IN BELARUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack, co-authored an op-ed for The Hill. They outlined the key steps and measures that are already being taken or must be taken regarding the situation in Belarus:
- Collecting and preserving evidence of human rights violations in Belarus.
- Supporting independent media and human rights defenders in Belarus and in exile.
- Supporting political prisoners and fighting for their release.
- Strengthening sanctions and synchronizing them with international partners.
- Ensuring the protection of the rights of Belarusians in exile.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Deutsche Welle (Germany), IANS (India), and The Hill (USA). Belarus was also covered by AP News (USA) and Reuters (UK).
