VISIT TO BRUSSELS
From December 9 to 13, Brussels hosted the Belarus Daysorganized by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission in collaboration with the European Parliament. During the visitSviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the 4th session of the EU-Belarus Consultative Groupthe high-level conference on Belarus “Standing with the People of Belarus”, and the presentation of legislative proposals for the New Belarus. The events brought together more than 150 representatives of Belarusian civil society, independent media, activists, and human rights defenders, alongside EU officials such as the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsolaand the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Marta Kos.
Apart from Ms. Metsola and Ms. Kos, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallathe new EU Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubiliusand the Minister-President of Flanders, Matthias Diependaele. The EU announced a new €30 million aid package for Belarusian civil society and a new round of sanctions targeting the regime’s enablers. The EU reiterated that a free election is impossible given the situation in Belarus and the 2025 sham election cannot be recognized.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also attended the openings of several exhibitions: #FramedinBelarus“Voices from Prison: Art as Resistance”, and “Unbroken”.
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made an address on December 10, calling for solidarity with the repressed. The leader also congratulated the human rights defenders, activists, and journalists who received awards in Vilnius for their contributions to defending human rights.
ACTIVIST’S TRAGIC DEATH
Belarusian activist Sviatlana Krutsikava tragically took her own life on December 10 after facing prosecution for distributing ’extremist’ materials. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya commented: “Repression and war can shake even the brightest souls to their core and drive them to despair. In this difficult moment, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Sviatlana’s family”.
2025 SHAME ELECTION
In response to the illegitimate sham election scheduled for January 26, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office launched an anonymous online form to report rights violations in Belarus. The form will help ensure future accountability for the regime’s crimes.
Two videos were released on Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Telegram channel, compiling data on the regime’s failure to meet electoral standards over the past 30 years. View them here and here.
On January 26, the Free Belarusians Congress will be held in Warsaw, bringing together the democratic forces and international guests.
BELARUS’ NATIONAL DEBT
According to the World Bank, Belarus’ foreign debt stands at $14.47 billionwith $7.75 billion owed to Russia. Alina Kharysava of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office noted in an interview that this dependency significantly compromises Belarus’ political sovereignty.
STANISLAU SHUSHKEVICH’S LEGACY
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed Belarusians on the anniversary of Stanislau Shushkevich’s birth: “Mr. Shushkevich’s vision of Belarus as a European country living by democratic values continues to inspire us today. The path we continue to follow toward a free and independent Belarus is his legacy”.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was interviewed by Index on Censorship (International), European Truth (Ukraine), DW (International), Litter (Belgium), EU Today (International), and The World (Spain).
Belgium
