VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES AND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
From September 21 to 24, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was in New York, where, on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, she held a number of meetings and took part in international events.
On September 21, the ministerial side event “Belarus: Accomplice in Russia’s War Against Ukraine and a Threat to International Security” took place, organized by Latvia and the European Union with the support of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and with the participation of representatives of Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia, Ireland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. The discussion focused on the situation in Belarus, the Lukashenka regime’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine, and their implications for regional and international security.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and 42nd US President Bill Clinton. In meetings with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and State Secretary Pasi Rajala, she discussed support for Belarusians affected by repression. Following these meetings, Finland announced an additional €100,000 in aid for political prisoners, those released from prison, and their families.
As part of the Clinton Global Initiative, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in a discussion on European security, support for Ukraine, and solidarity among democratic countries. She also attended the Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards, where she spoke with political and business leaders, including Czech President Petr Pavel, as well as representatives of the Atlantic Council, the Munich Security Conference, the World Economic Forum, and Google.
BELARUSIAN CITIZEN LEU MIKHEEU’S RELEASE IN ARMENIA
Belarusian citizen Leu Mikheeu, who was detained at the Armenian border following his deportation from Georgia based on an international wanted notice issued at the request of the regime in Belarus, was released last week. Belarusian human rights defenders in Georgia and Armenia, partners from both countries, and lawyers from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office had worked together to help resolve the situation.
LITHUANIAN RESIDENCE PERMITS ISSUANCE IN ARMENIA AND GEORGIA
Starting November 1, Belarusian citizens will be able to apply for Lithuanian temporary residence permits through the offices of an external service provider in Armenia and Georgia. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office had raised the issue of accessible and safe migration procedures for Belarusians in these countries in its dialogue with Lithuanian partners.
MEETING WITH BELARUSIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, met in Vilnius with representatives of Belarusian human rights organizations to discuss the situation of political prisoners and ongoing repression, documenting crimes, international accountability mechanisms, transnational repression, the regime’s abuse of Interpol mechanisms, and legal challenges faced by Belarusians in exile.
LEGAL CHALLENGES FACED BY BELARUSIANS IN ITALY
The Florence Bar Association held a meeting to discuss the legal challenges facing Belarusians in Italy. Participants from the Belarusian side included Leanid Marozau, Yuliya Yukhno (Belarusian Democratic Community Center in Florence), and Uladzimir Labkovich (Viasna Human Rights Center). Key topics included expired Belarusian passports, international protection, legal stay, transnational repression, and the risks of returning to Belarus. The parties agreed to take cooperation to a new level to strengthen legal protection for Belarusians in Italy.
THIRD WOMEN’S POLITICAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
The Third Women’s Political Leadership Academy concluded with a session in Prague, held on September 13–18. The program was designed to prepare women with political experience for more active participation in civic and political processes and for representing the Belarusian democratic community at the national and international levels.
FRANCYSK SKARYNA MEDAL FOR DANCHYK
In New York, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented Belarusian singer and journalist Danchyk (Bohdan Andrusyshyn) with the Francysk Skaryna Medal for his longstanding contribution to Belarusian culture, language, and freedom of speech. “Through his music, Danchyk inspired thousands of people to discover Belarus. For many, it was through his songs that the Belarusian language became closer to them and Belarusian culture became their own”, she noted.
OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
An overview of developments in Belarusian education and science in August 2026 was published, covering the persecution of members of the academic community, the situation surrounding the European Humanities University, and other developments affecting education and science in Belarus.
MEDIA
AFP (International), Radyio Svaboda (Belarus), Ukrinform (Ukraine), Voice of America (International), BBC Newsday (International), Deutsche Welle (International), Origo (Hungary), Obychny vecher (Belarus).
