Tsikhanouskaya Calls on Ireland to Support Investigation Into Crimes by Lukashenka Regime
Reform.news Editorial Team · 28 October 2026, 19:46
https://reform.news/en/tsikhanouskaya-calls-on-ireland-to-support-investigation-into-crimes-by-lukashenka-regime/Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, in Dublin. The sides discussed problems Belarusians face with documents, the release of political prisoners, sanctions against the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka, and holding it accountable for repression.
One of the main topics was the difficulties faced by Belarusians who cannot obtain new passports because Belarusian consulates have been prohibited from issuing documents. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Ireland for deciding to accept expired Belarusian passports when extending residence permits. However, the problem of travel documents remains unresolved, particularly for children who have never held a Belarusian passport and former political prisoners who were forcibly deported from the country by the authorities.
Tsikhanouskaya presented McEntee with specific cases requiring assistance and proposals for addressing the problem. The minister promised to discuss them with the Minister for Justice, including the possibility of individual solutions and assistance with family reunification.
The sides also discussed US negotiations with the Belarusian authorities on the release of political prisoners. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that every release matters, but repression continues, and many people released from prison are forcibly expelled from Belarus without documents. She said humanitarian efforts must continue, but not at the expense of easing European sanctions. Tsikhanouskaya called for maintaining and increasing pressure on the regime, including during the next review of sanctions in February.
Tsikhanouskaya thanked Ireland for its contribution to the International Humanitarian Fund supporting Belarusians subjected to repression and asked it to consider making another contribution. The funds are needed for medical treatment, rehabilitation and support for former political prisoners.
The sides also discussed the investigation into crimes by the Lukashenka regime at the International Criminal Court, launched following a referral by Lithuania, and transnational repression against Belarusians abroad. Tsikhanouskaya proposed that Ireland support the investigation and co-organise an event on transnational repression in Geneva.
Other topics included security, the Belarusian economy’s dependence on Russian military contracts, and maintaining a united position among European countries.
Tsikhanouskaya also thanked Ireland for supporting independent Belarusian media, human rights defenders and cultural initiatives. She proposed making the Belarusian-Irish conference on national and cultural identity, held in Dublin, an annual event.
According to Tsikhanouskaya, the Irish side confirmed its readiness to continue supporting Belarusian democratic forces, human rights and humanitarian initiatives, and to seek solutions to the problems Belarusians face with documents.
