LAUNCH OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN FUND
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, together with Belarusian human rights defenders, presented the International Humanitarian Fund to support the repressed. The fund, already supported by Sweden and Norway (with contributions totaling €1.5 million), will assist political prisoners and their families, with a focus on those inside the country. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that the fund complements existing aid programs and will emphasize transparency and collective management in its operations.
OPENING OF USAID BELARUS MISSION IN VILNIUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the USAID Deputy Administrator, Ambassador Erin McKee, in Vilnius and attended the opening of the new USAID office, which will support Belarusian initiatives. The meeting covered support for independent Belarusian media, human rights defenders, and educational programs.
CONFERENCE OF SOLIDARITY WITH IMPRISONED PHILOSOPHERS
On September 20, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya opened the international conference “Imprisoned Rationality: Philosophy in Prison”, organized by Vilnius University and Warsaw University in solidarity with politically imprisoned philosopher from Belarus Uladzimir Matskevich. The Belarusian leader emphasized the importance of knowledge and freedom of thought in a democratic society and called for the release of imprisoned intellectuals, including Uladzimir Matskevich, Ales Bialiatski, Aliaksandr Fiaduta, and Valeryia Kastsiuhova.
VISIT TO REFUGEE SHELTER
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the shelter in Vilnius run by the Humanitarian Emergency Service. She was given a tour of the facility, where former political prisoners, their families, and Belarusian activists are staying. She met with the shelter’s residents and discussed the challenges faced by former political prisoners.
RELEASE OF 37 POLITICAL PRISONERS
On September 16, 37 political prisoners were pardoned in Belarus. This is not the first time Lukashenka has released political prisoners. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted that while this is a step in the right direction, repression continues, and new political prisoners emerge. As long as even one person remains imprisoned, the fight for their freedom must continue.
BELARUSIANS’ AID TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN POLAND AND CZECHIA
Belarusian democratic forces and diasporas have been actively helping flood victims in Poland and the Czech Republic, showing solidarity with their residents. The United Transitional Cabinet has organized a hotline for affected Belarusians. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked everyone for their solidarity and urged people to seek assistance if needed.
NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
On September 16–17, 2024, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, attended a NATO Parliamentary Assembly event in Warsaw. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called on NATO to support the Belarusian democratic movement fighting for the country’s independence and the freedom of its people, stressing that a democratic transition in Belarus will contribute to security across Europe.
INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, shared a video explaining the concept of the “political season” and outlining the priorities for the coming months.
1500 DAYS OF PROTESTS
September 17 marked 1500 days since the beginning of protests in Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement: “Every day of our struggle is a day of fighting for the people who are still in prison. For the people whose lives have been shattered, who have survived torture and are now learning to live again. Behind each of these stories are lives that have been forever changed”.
DAY OF NATIONAL SYMBOLS
33 years ago, the Supreme Council adopted the Republic of Belarus as the official name of the country. Along with the country’s name, it also established the Pahonia coat of arms and the white-red-white flag as the state symbols. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on this occasion: “I am confident that the day will come when the white-red-white flag will once again fly over our country as a symbol of a free Belarus. Long Live Belarus!”
MEDIA
This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews and comments to the following media outlets: Belsat (1, 2) (Belarus), TVP Wilno (Poland), RFE/RL’s Radyio Svaboda (Belarus), and Pozirk (Belarus).
