Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski stated at today’s meeting with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya that Tallinn supports those who stand for human rights and the rule of law, as Estonians know well how precious freedom is.
As a sign of support, the City of Tallinn grants office space in the city centre to the NGO established by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya under favourable rental conditions. The premises will also serve as the new representation of the NGO Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Republic of Estonia, which coordinates the activities of the Belarusian opposition in Estonia and Latvia.
“Estonia cannot change the situation in Belarus, but we can contribute by providing a safe space for those working for a democratic future. Alongside the efforts of Ukraine’s people and government, the work of the Belarusian opposition and Tsikhanouskaya shows how important it is to defend democracy,” said Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski.
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed her gratitude to the City of Tallinn and Estonian society for their support during a time when political freedoms and independent media are severely restricted in Belarus. She emphasised that Estonia’s solidarity plays an important symbolic role in Belarus’s path toward democracy.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya ran for president in Belarus in 2020, after her husband, opposition figure Siarhei Tsikhanouski, was imprisoned. Following falsified election results and a crackdown on protests, she has lived in political exile in Lithuania. Tsikhanouskaya has received numerous international awards, including the Sakharov Prize from the European Parliament and Estonia’s Order of Merit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On 25 March, Belarusian democratic forces will mark the 107th anniversary of their country’s independence. According to Tsikhanouskaya, this day symbolises peaceful resistance and hope — values that are proudly honoured even outside their homeland.
Relations between Estonia and the Belarusian regime are frozen, and there is no cooperation with the Lukashenko administration.
Source: tallinn.ee