{"id":207621,"date":"2026-10-15T20:46:06","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T17:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/207621\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T20:46:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T17:46:09","slug":"cichanouskaja-calls-on-europe-to-unite-against-dictatorships","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/207621\/","title":{"rendered":"Cichano\u016dskaja calls on Europe to unite against dictatorships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Belarusian opposition leader's press office)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

October 15, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Belarusian democratic leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja has called on democratic countries to preserve European unity, strengthen the transatlantic alliance and maintain pressure on authoritarian regimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a keynote address at the Vilnius Freedom Summit on Thursday, Cichano\u016dskaja warned that dictatorships seek to divide democratic countries, undermine solidarity and exploit their weaknesses. She called for a united response, arguing that authoritarianism transcends borders and requires a coordinated international response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja described Ukraine as the \u201cmain frontline\u201d in the struggle for democracy, saying the outcome of Russia’s war would determine the future of democracy worldwide. \u201cIf Ukraine is strong, and Russia is weak, it will open a window of opportunity for Belarus too,\u201d she said. \u201cIt will help Moldova. Georgia. Armenia. And many other nations that want to free themselves from dictatorships supported by Russia. That is why it is so important to give Ukraine everything it needs. That is why it is so important to help Ukraine survive this cold winter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja thanked US Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale for securing the release of more than 500 \u201chostages from Lukashenka\u2019s [\u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s] prisons\u201d over the past year but stressed that around 900 people remain behind bars for political reasons and that new political prisoners continue to appear in Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur task is to free them all. Our task is to break the cycle of repression itself,\u201d she said, calling for democratic change, free elections and an end to Belarus’ dependence on Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja said achieving these goals would require sustained pressure on authoritarian leaders, their continued international isolation and sanctions targeting their financial interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at the summit, Lithuanian Foreign Minister K\u0119stutis Budrys also called for unity in the face of authoritarianism, warning that repressive regimes coordinate their efforts to restrict freedoms at home and target opposition figures, human rights defenders and independent journalists abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organized by Lithuania’s foreign ministry and Washington-based human rights watchdog Freedom House, the Vilnius Freedom Summit brings together human rights defenders, former political prisoners, representatives of democratic governments and civil society from Europe and Latin America. Apart from Cichano\u016dskaja and Budrys, the summit\u2019s notable delegates include Freedom House President Jamie Fly, Belarusian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ale\u015b Bialacki (Ales Bialiatski), famous Ukrainian journalist Stanislav Aseyev and pro-democracy activists from Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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