Фото: tsikhanouskaya.org
On 12–13 November, the head of the United Transitional Cabinet Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paid a working visit to London, where she held meetings in the UK government and parliament and spoke at the panel discussion “The Fight for Freedom in Eastern Europe.” The talks focused on supporting Belarus’s democratic movement, assisting political prisoners, and further international cooperation, her press service reported.
During her meeting with Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty, the sides discussed the results and continuation of bilateral consultations between Belarusian democratic forces and the United Kingdom. The minister reaffirmed London’s firm and principled stance toward the regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka and expressed readiness to strengthen support for the Belarusian people. Particular attention was given to the International Humanitarian Fund for Victims of Repression — Tsikhanouskaya urged the UK to join the initiative.
Tsikhanouskaya also held talks with Conservative Party chair Kemi Badenoch, shadow minister Priti Patel, and the head of the All-Party Parliamentary Group “For Democratic Belarus” Wendy Morton. With Kemi Badenoch, she discussed the situation of political prisoners and the development of women’s leadership. The two recorded a joint address for participants of the academy organized by the Office of Tsikhanouskaya together with the Office of Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic.
Tsikhanouskaya thanked shadow minister Priti Patel for supporting her visit to Australia and New Zealand, including assistance with contacts and expert meetings.
In her meeting with Wendy Morton, the discussion focused on the results of the parliamentary group’s work, including preparations for the Alliance session scheduled for spring 2026 in London. They discussed the event’s agenda and possible side events dedicated to political prisoners, the diaspora, and Belarusian culture.
The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons Emily Thornberry and the head of the UTC discussed further cooperation, holding parliamentary hearings on Belarus, and engagement with the Belarusian community in the United Kingdom.
Separately, Tsikhanouskaya thanked Sir John Whittingdale for his active work in the APPG for Freedom and Democracy in Belarus and for cooperation with Belarusian journalists within the APPG for media freedom. She presented the international support programme for political prisoners #WeStandBYyou from Libereco and called for making it more practice-oriented, as well as announced the Congress of “godparents” of political prisoners in 2026.
Additionally, Tsikhanouskaya raised the issue of simplifying the issuance of travel documents for Belarusians, recognizing expired passports for legalization purposes, and reducing requirements for documents that can only be obtained in Belarus. She proposed considering the “Luxembourg Decisions” as the basis for these solutions.