VISIT TO ITALY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited four cities during a working visit to Italy. She held several high-level meetings, including with Florence Mayor Sara Funaro and Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore. They discussed a possible shelter for political refugees from Belarus, internships, scholarships for students, and exchange programs. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also visited the Polish War Cemetery, where soldiers of Anders’ Army are buried, attended the Sakharov Prize award ceremony in Milan, and delivered a lecture at Bocconi University in Milan.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Rome to launch the conference of the Alliance of Parliamentary Groups “For a Democratic Belarus”. The event brought together representatives from over a dozen countries, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and Belarus’ democratic forces. The participants pledged to continue efforts to secure the release of political prisoners and support Belarusian NGOs and media.
View photos of the visit on Flickr.
ACTION IN SUPPORT OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
A solidarity action for political prisoners held incommunicado took place in Vilnius. According to human rights defenders, at least 9 people in Belarus are currently held incommunicado: Aliaksandr Frantskevich, Uladzimir Kniha, Ihar Losik, Andrei Navitski, Mikalai Statkevich, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Maksim Znak, Mikalai Bankou, and Viktar Babaryka. UN experts have requested information regarding the situation of Siarhei Tsikhanouski.
MEETING WITH THE LEADERS OF BELARUSIAN NGOs
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with women leading Belarusian NGOs ahead of International Women’s Day. The meeting focused on support for Belarusians in exile, funding for initiatives, internship opportunities, and women’s role in the democratic movement.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusian women on International Women’s Day: “Today, we celebrate women’s resilience, determination, and dedication, reminding the world of our incredible achievements. Dear Belarusian women, you are my strength and my greatest source of pride. You are a shining example of the power of kindness and an unstoppable force for change”.
FREEDOM DAY
March 25 marks Freedom Day, a symbol of independence and the ongoing struggle for freedom in Belarus. On this day, events will take place worldwide to unite Belarusians and demonstrate that we continue to fight for democratic change in our country.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office urges Belarusian NGOs and civil society groups to share information about events they plan to hold. The events will receive informational support through OST’s and its partners’ communication channels.
UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS ADDRESSED THE REGIME
A group of UN Special Rapporteurs addressed the regime in Belarus regarding the draft law “On Amendments to Laws on Ensuring Children’s Rights”, which passed its first reading. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, explained the key issues with the bill.
KSENIYA LUTSKINA EVACUATED
Journalist and former political prisoner Kseniya Lutskina successfully left Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am truly relieved to hear that Kseniya Lutskinа is finally safe. But it is heartbreaking that she had to leave her home to achieve that”.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE KASTUS KALINOUSKI REGIMENT
March 9 marked three years since the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, a Belarusian unit fighting against Russian aggression in Ukraine, was formed. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusian volunteers in Ukraine on this occasion: “No one asks whether we want to live through historic events. But since we must, Belarusians are doing everything to ensure these events lead to victory. Long Live Belarus! Glory to Ukraine!”
ANNE KLEIN WOMEN’S AWARD
The Anne Klein Women’s Award ceremony took place in Berlin, recognizing women’s contributions to the fight for rights and equality. For the first time, women from Belarus were among the awardees: Yuliya Mitskevich, Darya Afanasyeva, and Iryna Alkhouka. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated the laureates: “It is a great honor and joy to know that Belarusian women inspire the entire world”.
REPRESSION AGAINST EDUCATIONAL PLATFORMS
The authorities in Belarus labeled Democratic Media Institute, Nastaunik.info, and “Pra Vitsebsk” as so-called extremist formations. Tatsiana Shchytstova, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Education and Science, Tatiana Shchyttsova, strongly condemned this decision: “A regime that fears free discussion and independent thinking acts against the interests of its own people”.
MONTHLY RECAP
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office released the monthly recap for February 2025, summarizing key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian democratic community activists and NGOs.
MEDIA
This week, the following media outlets released Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s interviews and coverage of Belarus: Corriere della Sera (Italy), Sky TV (Italy), Voice of America (International), Monocle Radio (the UK), and Belsat (Belarus).
