Belarus has been under the rule of Alexander Lukashenko since 1994. Originally authorized to serve for two presidential terms, Lukashenko initiated two referenda on amending the constitution in 1996 and 2004. The contested outcomes of the referenda allowed him to run for the post indefinitely and widened the extent of presidential powers, effectively turning Belarus into a presidential republic. Lukashenko’s presidency has been marked by authoritarianism and oppression. The allegations against the regime range from state-sponsored and politically motivated murders to routine election fraud. Although crackdowns on dissent and political persecution have been common during Lukashenko’s rule, the regime’s response to peaceful demonstrations has arguably been the most brutal in 2020.
The largest protests in Belarusian post-Soviet history erupted following the 2020 presidential election. The announcement of a landslide victory for Lukashenko contrasted with ample evidence of electoral fraud, and mobilized Belarusians to take their demands for free and fair elections to the streets. The continued violent crackdown on peaceful protesters, manifest in the first days of protests and still ongoing, transformed the agenda of the demonstrators, now demanding not only a new election but also an end to killings, torture, and political persecution of peaceful protesters.
The demands of protesters have not been met so far. The human rights situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate, as demonstrated by data from local human rights defenders, as well as international bodies.
People killed as a result of alleged state-sponsored violence: 20
People arrested since 9 August 2020: more than 40000
Political prisoners: 1007
People facing criminal charges on politically motivated grounds: more than 4,200 criminal cases related to “extremism and terrorism” and 4,691 criminal cases related to “protest actions, crimes against sovereignty and public security” were initiated, which can be considered a priori politically motivated
People reporting torture: 2000
Arrest and detention are not the only instruments in the toolbox of repression. There are also numerous cases of people fired from work, expelled from universities, or threatened with deprivation of parental rights. Lawyers’ licenses and journalists’ accreditations are revoked. Businesses are forced to close or relocate.
The crisis continues to worsen, and the pressure continues to mount. Belarusian citizens bear the cost of authoritarian political ambitions. Their life, liberty, and economic well-being are under constant threat. Political crackdown has not weakened or subsided since August 2020. Both close attention to the situation in Belarus as well as solidarity with Belarusian people are still sorely needed.