VISIT TO POLAND
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya conducted a working visit to Warsaw, meeting with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, the Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, the Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Krzysztof Paszyk, and the Marshal of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia. Poland pledged not to recognize the results of the January 26 sham election, reaffirming that Lukashenka’s regime remains illegitimate after this date. In addition, it will increase efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, recognize Belarusian secondary school diplomas in Poland, exempt Belarusians from new migration restrictions, and keep border crossings open for passenger travel.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya, on behalf of the United Transitional Cabinet, also signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Community of Democracies, represented by Secretary General Mantas Adomėnas. She spoke at a joint session of the Polish Sejm, Senate, and Committees on Foreign and European Affairs, presented awards from the United Transitional Cabinet, and addressed journalists at a press briefing during the visit.
MEETING WITH PACE RAPPORTEURS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with rapporteurs Ryszard Petru and Emanuelis Zingeris of the PACE to discuss plans and priorities for cooperation in 2025. The discussions focused on drafting a new resolution on Belarus, organizing a special conference, and preparing a legal analysis of the New Belarus Constitution.
MEETING WITH LITHUANIAN SEIMAS SPEAKER
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the new Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, Saulius Skvernelis. Discussions covered the release of political prisoners, support for Belarusians in Lithuania, non-recognition of the sham election in Belarus, regional and national security threats, and Belarusian-Lithuanian relations.
2025 SHAM ELECTION
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians ahead of the 2025 sham election, emphasizing that Belarus is defined by its people who remain strong and resilient, not by the regime or its staged ‘election’.
VIKTAR BABARYKA
On January 8, Viktar Babaryka appeared in a short video recorded in the Navapolatsk prison after over 600 days of being held incommunicado. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement: “Ending incommunicado detention is the first step toward stopping the horror unfolding in our country. The next must be the release of all those imprisoned for their beliefs and an end to all political repressions against Belarusians”.
BELARUSIANS DESERVE BETTER
On January 26, Warsaw will host a major event, the Free Belarusians Congress “Belarusians Deserve Better”. Read more at the link.
ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya extended greetings to Orthodox Belarusians: “I wish every Belarusian to be with their families during these festive days, supporting one another”.
FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES
The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya outlined a list of short-term foreign policy priorities of the democratic forces of Belarus.
POLISH VISAS FOR BELARUSIANS
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, explained how Belarusian citizens can apply for Polish visas using certified invitations from relatives who have asylum status in Poland.
NUMBER OF THE DAY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office launched a new series of publications on its social media, “Number of the Day”, highlighting important facts that describe the situation of Belarus after 30 years of Lukashenka’s dictatorship.
REPORT ON REPRESSION IN BELARUS
In June 2025, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Belarus will present the next report at the Human Rights Council session. It now accepts reports of human rights violations in Belarus committed from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. Read more.
MONTHLY RECAP
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office released the monthly recap for December 2024, summarizing key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian democratic community activists and NGOs.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s comments and interviews appeared in Belarusian and international media, including BelSAT (Belarus), AFP (International), TVP World (Poland), Delfi (Lithuania), Polskie Radio (Poland), LRT (Lithuania), Baltic Times (Baltic States), and LRT (Lithuania).
