Allocating resources to the regime’s victims, civil society organizations, independent media, and solidarity initiatives is a response that is crucial for civil resistance to remain sustainable and strong, as repressions tighten. Support measures may include financial assistance packages distributed to trusted and effective actors, easing visa restrictions and asylum procedures, and long-term planning on alleviating the economic costs of democratic transition.
If international actors only use sanctions or other unfriendly acts as a ‘feel-good’ measure, without investing time and resources into helping civil society on the ground, it will be harder to spur meaningful change. International responses to the ongoing and painful crisis in Belarus should not be used to assert moral high ground but to support civil resistance and democratic transition. Complimenting sanctions with financial and institutional support shows the political will to continually support democratic transformation and respect for the rule of law in Belarus.