2025 SHAM ELECTION
On January 26, a so-called “presidential election” took place in Belarus. It was not recognized by the international community and failed to restore Lukashenka’s legitimacy. In response, the democratic forces launched the “Belarusians Deserve Better” campaign, opposing the fraudulent election. The campaign culminated in a forum in Warsaw and a march on January 26, attended by politicians, journalists, diplomats, and Belarusians from various countries. Solidarity rallies and events were held in over 15 countries, where members of the Belarusian diaspora voiced their opposition to the illegitimate election. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya thanked Belarusians for participating in these events.
49 countries and 7 international organizations condemned the “election” and declared it undemocratic. The EU, the US, the UK, Canada, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and others made clear that they do not recognize this political farce. The European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Lukashenka and demanding the release of political prisoners. The PACE unanimously adopted a resolution titled “The Urgent Need for Free and Fair Elections in Belarus” at a recent session. Luxembourg declared its recognition of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya as the elected president. Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia reiterated their support for Belarus’ democratic forces and civil society.
Meanwhile, only about 20 countries (including Russia, China, Venezuela, Kazakhstan, and other authoritarian regimes) congratulated Lukashenka.
The Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Viasna Human Rights Center, as part of the “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” campaign, released a preliminary report on the 2025 election in Belarus, confirming the complete absence of democratic voting conditions and documenting systemic violations.
INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial – the site of the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp. The democratic forces’ delegation attended the event instead of the official delegation from Belarus. During the ceremony, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya met with heads of state and representatives of international organizations, including the Head of the US delegation, Charles Kushner; the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola; the Foreign Minister of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi, and others. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the importance of remembering the Holocaust tragedy and rejecting totalitarian regimes in the modern world.
Find photos from the event at the link.
BELARUSIAN DELEGATION AT THE PACE
For the first time in history, a delegation of the democratic forces of Belarus participated in a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The delegation included representatives from the Coordination Council, the United Transitional Cabinet, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. This milestone was achieved through three years of cooperation between the democratic forces, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and the leadership of the Council of Europe and PACE.
NORDIC-BALTIC COUNTRIES’ SUPPORT FOR BELARUS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in Vilnius received special envoys and ambassadors from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Discussions focused on:
- Non-recognition of the “election” in Belarus and the stance of these countries on isolating the regime.
- Support for political prisoners in Belarus and international pressure mechanisms for their release.
- Belarus’ role in Russia’s war against Ukraine and security risks for the entire region.
- Travel documents for Belarusians in exile and humanitarian assistance to those facing repression.
- Support for independent Belarusian media, especially given reduced funding from the United States.
Find photos from the meeting at the link.
POLAND AND NORWAY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new Ambassador of Poland to Lithuania, Grzegorz Marek Poznański. They discussed support for Belarusians, preparations for the Kościuszko Forum, and regional security. They agreed to continue cooperation and mutual support.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also received the new Ambassador of Norway to Lithuania, Atle Konta Midttun, at her office. She thanked him for supporting human rights defenders and repressed Belarusians and discussed plans for 2025.
MEETING WITH THE FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE LITHUANIAN SEIMAS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Senior Political Advisor, Alexander Dabravolski, and Advisor on Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, met with the First Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, Juozas Olekas, who also chairs the group “For a Democratic Belarus”. During the meeting, the parties agreed on:
- A roundtable discussion in the Seimas in March 2025;
- A cooperation agreement between the Seimas of Lithuania and the democratic forces of Belarus;
- A solidarity campaign in support of political prisoners;
- Coordination within the Alliance of Parliamentary Groups “For a Democratic Belarus”.
RELEASE OF PALINA SHARENDA-PANASIUK
Political prisoner Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk was released after serving her fourth prison term, spending 4 years and 1 month behind bars. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “What a relief and joy to finally hear the news of Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk’s release. Four long and difficult years of imprisonment. This release is a true happiness, especially for her two children, who had to grow up without their mother. I hope to hear soon about improvements in her health after such a harsh imprisonment”.
EDUARD BABARYKA’S BIRTHDAY
On January 30, Eduard Babaryka marked his fifth consecutive birthday behind bars. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Eduard and his father have shown us that even in the harshest conditions, one can remain human. On this day, I ask you to remember Eduard and all political prisoners whose lives have been shattered by the regime. Keep writing to them, supporting their families, and telling their stories to the world. Every step we take is a step toward the release of those unjustly imprisoned”.
KOŚCIUSZKO FORUM IN GDAŃSK
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and a delegation of the democratic forces will take part in the Kościuszko Forum, which will be held on February 3-4 in Gdańsk as part of Poland’s EU Council Presidency. The forum will bring together European and global leaders, politicians, experts, and representatives of civil society to discuss the legacy of Tadeusz Kościuszko (Tadevush Kastsiushka), the fight for freedom, and Central and Eastern Europe in the geopolitical context.
Read more about the forum: Polish Presidency – Kościuszko Forum.
MEDIA
This week, the following media outlets released Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s interviews and coverage of Belarus: TVN (Poland), Voice of America (China), Radyio Svaboda (1, 2, 3), Radyio Ratsyia (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), Belsat (all Belarus), Current Time (International), Polskie Radio 24 (1, 2) (Poland), CNBC Sanctuary in Davos, GZERO Media, Associated Press, Dozhd, Bloomberg, RMF24 (Poland), Daily Express (the UK), Room for Discussion, Amsterdam University, AP news, Маланка Медиа, Der Spiegel (1, 2) (Germany), Sky News (International), MSN (International), The New York Times (the US), The Irish Times (Ireland), and Salon Seudun Sanomat (Finland).
