On January 17, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition leader, addressed the Summit for Human Rights and Democracy in Geneva,

calling attention to the ongoing plight of Belarusians under authoritarian rule.

The summit featured an array of prominent voices, including Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch; Peter MacDougall, Canada’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva; Baroness Sal Brinton, member of the UK House of Lords; and human rights defenders and democracy activists from around the world.

Accompanied by her Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, Tsikhanouskaya painted a stark picture of life under Belarusian repression. She spoke about the growing number of political prisoners, the harsh conditions faced by Belarusians in exile, and the daily threats experienced by ordinary citizens, highlighting that repression in Belarus has long extended beyond the courtroom and prison walls.

Her address served as a reminder to the international community of the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights in Belarus and the urgent need for global support for those living under oppressive regimes.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said: “There are over 1,200 political prisoners in Belarus. Teachers. Journalists. Students. Pensioners. 

I am here to ask you to act. When you leave this hall, you will return to your offices, parliaments, and newsrooms. You have power. Use it. Do not normalize the regime. It has deceived you for the past 30 years. It cannot be trusted.

Demand the unconditional release of all political prisoners. Support Belarusian civil society – independent journalists, human rights defenders, activists in exile and underground. Help the families of those imprisoned. Help the children growing up today without their parents.

Belarusians have shown incredible courage – they have marched peacefully, endured torture, and continue to resist. But courage alone is not enough. We need solidarity. We need you”. Photo by tsikhanouskaya.org