VISIT TO WARSAW
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the Three Seas Summit in Warsaw at the invitation of Polish President Andrzej Duda. During the summit, which brought together delegations from over 20 countries, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya held a series of brief conversations with heads of state from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, Estonia, and Albania, as well as with the Turkish Minister of Transport, the Spanish Minister for European Affairs, and the US Assistant Secretary for Energy.
While in Warsaw, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also attended a meeting of the United Transitional Cabinet, where she emphasized that the release of political prisoners remains the top priority, with active international efforts underway to achieve this.
View photos of the visit on Flickr.
VISIT TO VALENCIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a working visit to Valencia, where she addressed the Plenary Session of the European People’s Party, stressing that there can be no just and lasting peace in Europe without a democratic Belarus.
View photos of the visit on Flickr.
VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began her visit to the United States, where she will visit Washington, Arizona, and Texas to meet with representatives of the new US administration, senators, members of Congress, and the expert community. Her visit began with participation in the Sedona Forum. The visit will aim to bring Belarus back onto the US agenda and emphasize that the Belarus issue is one of security and directly concerns US interests.
4TH CONFERENCE OF THE BELARUSIAN DIASPORA
The 4th Conference of the Belarusian Diaspora will take place in Warsaw on May 23–25. Registration is open at this link.
MEETING AT THE LITHUANIAN MILITARY ACADEMY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy in Vilnius, where she met with the Academy’s Chief of Staff, Lt Col Denisas Starikovičius. She called for distinguishing the Belarusian people from the regime and emphasized the importance of a united fight against dictatorship and imperialism. She also highlighted hybrid threats, Ukraine’s role in regional security, and the historic bonds between nations, thanking Lithuania for its solidarity and support.
CRITICAL CONDITION OF VIKTORYIA KULSHA
Political prisoner Viktoryia Kulsha, who is about to stand trial for the fifth time, reportedly has declared an open-ended hunger strike – her sixth since imprisonment. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, called on the international community to take urgent action to prevent a tragedy: “It is our shared duty to prevent the Lukashenka regime from killing people in prison. Silence is complicity. Time is running out – but there is still time”.
RELEASE OF YURY ZIANKOVICH
Yury Ziankovich, sentenced to 11 years in prison, left Belarus after being released. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed Mr. Ziankovich’s release: “The release of one person is a step forward. But our goal is freedom for all”.
ANATOLI LIABEDZKA ON THE 1994 CONSTITUTION
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Constitutional Reform and Parliamentary Cooperation, Anatoli Liabedzka, explained why returning to the 1994 Constitution is not a solution for a country striving for democracy. He also shared what has already been done to create a modern and just system of governance.
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
May 3 marked World Press Freedom Day. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released an address: “We can support independent journalists by reading their work, and – when it’s safe – by commenting, subscribing, sharing, and donating. Because as long as independent journalism lives, so does the connection between us”.
SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA ON AID AND SOLIDARITY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke about her participation in a humanitarian aid effort for Ukrainian orphans and elderly people with disabilities. She urged Belarusians to join the announced initiative and other campaigns: “Believe me, even a small step, a small act of help means a lot, and people in need deeply appreciate it.”
LABOR DAY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the occasion of Labor Day: “People’s wellbeing and support for them are what the state’s focus should be. Because people are not spare parts. People are our highest value. And this day is not a celebration of hollow slogans but a tribute to everyone whose work builds a better Belarus”.
MONTHLY RECAP
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office released the monthly recap for April, summarizing key events, new research, and notable achievements of Belarusian democratic community activists and NGOs.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s interviews and coverage of Belarus were released by BBC (International), Fakt (Poland), Hoover Institution (United States), NEXTA (Belarus), TVP World (Poland), CNN Prima News (Czech Republic), Pozirk (1, 2) (Belarus), Kresy 24 (Poland), Radyio Svaboda (Belarus), and Belsat (Belarus).
