VISIT TO ICELAND
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Iceland, speaking at the 76th session of the Nordic Council and meeting with the prime ministers, parliament speakers, and foreign ministers of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. She called for leadership in supporting Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also met with the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, and MPs from the Nordic countries.
The Belarusian leader urged the Nordic countries to join the International Humanitarian Fund, which has already attracted contributions from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, as well as support the Lithuanian referral of the Lukashenka regime’s crimes to the International Criminal Court and help Belarusian independent media, civil society, repressed people, and cultural initiatives.
The Nordic ministers of foreign affairs and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya held a press briefing, announcing that: 1) all Nordic countries will appoint special envoys for democratic Belarus; 2) Denmark and Iceland will join the International Humanitarian Fund; 3) Denmark will simplify migration procedures and will issue alien passports to Belarusians. The Nordic countries will continue to cooperate with the democratic forces of Belarus.
ESCALATION OF REPRESSION
Mass arrests and searches took place in Belarus last week, with people’s phones inspected and their cell phone connections suspended so that they could not inform their relatives about being arrested. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the situation and called for mutual support.
ANDREI HNIOT’S RELEASE
Andrei Gniet left Serbia safely. The Belarusian activist, who co-founded the SOS BY Free Association of Belarus Sportspeople, was detained on October 30, 2023, in Belgrade, and spent more than a year under arrest before release. International human rights organizations, the EU, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office fought for his release, including through negotiations with Serbia. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya thanked the lawyers, human rights defenders, diplomats, cultural figures, and politicians, in particular President Aleksandar Vučić’s Office, Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, and the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed women on the occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, mentioning a film about Belarusian journalists who beat breast cancer.
NIGHT OF THE EXECUTED POETS
On the night of October 29-30, 1937, more than 100 prominent Belarusian figures were executed in Minsk, including poets, writers, scientists, and politicians. Every year, Belarusians hold events to commemorate the victims. On this occasion, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya recorded an address, reading Yuli Taubin’s poem “Ty Pomnish” (You Remember).
SIARHEI TSIKHANOUSKI’S 600 DAYS IN INCOMMUNICADO DETENTION
October 29 marked 600 days of Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s incommunicado detention, as he has been denied visits from his family members or letters. On this occasion, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office shared his quotes, explaining why the struggle for a democratic change must go on.
PLANS FOR 2025 SHAM ELECTION
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, was interviewed by Malanka Media, discussing the democratic forces’ strategy for the regime’s 2025 sham election. He stressed that the democratic forces will push for its non-recognition both within Belarus and internationally, explaining that voting “against all” may be a safe way to protest and an alternative option for those forced to vote. At the same time, he emphasized the need to secure the release of political prisoners and demonstrate that Lukashenka lacks domestic support.
POLITICAL PRISONERS’ RECOVERY AFTER RELEASE
Anastasiya Bulybenka, a former political prisoner, shared her experience of recovery after release, explaining how to better understand and support a released person on the way to a normal life. Anastasiya has previously shared tips for writing letters to political prisoners.
POLISH VISAS FOR REFUGEES’ RELATIVES
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Adviser on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, received confirmation that Belarusian citizens living in Belarus can apply for Polish visas based on notarized invitations from relatives who are under international protection in Poland. Sviatlana Tsikhanosukaya’s Office released a guide on how to do this.
ADMISSION TO POLISH UNIVERSITIES
As nostrification is now required from Belarusians for admission to Polish universities, many students from Belarus, especially those who cannot travel to Belarus, have been facing challenges. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, addressed Belarusians, explaining what they can do to nostrificate their educational records.
DZIADY
On November 2, as Belarusian Catholics celebrated the religious holiday of Dziady, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released an address: “Today is a day that brings Belarusians together in shared memory and spirit. A day when we set aside the bustle and noise to honor the people who left a mark on our lives”. She called for commemorating heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of Belarus.
PETITION IN SUPPORT OF ULADZIMIR MATSKEVICH
A petition has been started in support of Uladzimir Matskevich, so far attracting signatures from more than 200 academicians from Poland, Lithuania, the USA, Ukraine, and other countries. Belarusian philosopher Uladzimir Matskevich was arrested in 2021 on charges of organizing mass riots, insulting the president, and participating in extremist activities.
ELECTION IN MOLDOVA
Maia Sandu won the presidential election in Moldova and was re-elected for a second term. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated her on the victory: “Democracy won. Europe won. Congratulations, dear Maia Sandu, on your re-election as President of Moldova. Your strong leadership is guiding Moldova towards its European future. The people of Belarus share the same commitment to freedom and the right to shape our own destiny”.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was featured in reports by RUV (Iceland), TVP Info (Poland), VOXPOT (Czech Republic), Radyio Ratsyia (Belarus), and ABC Nyheter (Norway).
