Cichanoŭskaja adviser highlights 2022 wins

December 30, BPN. The Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s Office should be credited for the West’s consolidated position on Belarus, which remained intact in 2022, the opposition politician’s adviser has told BPN.

“The democratic world does not recognize Łukašenka as president and continues to work with Cichanoŭskaja as the elected leader of the Belarusian people,” Franak Viačorka said.

The West “continues to insist that political prisoners be released and free elections be held,” he said, adding that aid to civil society and independent media has increased.

Viačorka went on to say that the democratic forces were reset this year: Cichanoŭskaja convened the New Belarus Conference, which resulted in the opposition setting up a transition cabinet. It united members of main political groups.

The opposition is about to reform its Coordination Council to be formed of “115 representatives of public organizations and initiatives,” he said.

He continued by saying that key political groups and human rights organizations have pooled efforts to work out a unified position, collect evidence of the regime’s crimes and make better use of international legal instruments in order to restore the rule of law, such as the International Accountability Platform on Belarus.

For the first time, the democratic movement now has a “security arm.” “More than 80 guerilla actions took place across the country after the war began, and Belarusian volunteers in Ukraine set up their own units,” Viačorka said.

He added that Belarusians in Ukraine received support after the initial backlash from war-hit society: many bank accounts were unblocked and residence permits extended. Those who left Ukraine for Poland were given proper visas and residence permits. “There are still many problems, but they are gradually being solved,” Viačorka said.