This week Belarusians mark 5 years since the rigged election that sparked a massive protest movement, with thousands taking to the streets to voice their anger over the authoritarian government of Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The crackdown on independent media and civil society was, and continues to be brutal: surveillance, judicial harassment, physical abuse, and the criminalisation of any form of dissent. Even the most remote or far-fetched link to human rights work can land you in a penal colony.
The de facto authorities in Belarus increasingly use overbroad and vague ‘extremism’ laws to target all forms of dissent – even retroactively, turning yesterday’s lawful act into today’s crime, as our latest analysis, published jointly with Human Constanta, reveals.
Belarusian courts hand down harsh sentences for making donations, posting comments, or administering online platforms. Since the 2020–2021 protests, at least 22,500 criminal cases have been opened on ‘anti-extremism’ grounds.
Over 1,000 people are behind bars for exercising their fundamental rights. Political prisoners face torture and degrading treatment. Independent media is blocked, civil rights organisations have been forcibly liquidated, and activists forced into exile.
But the resilience, creativity, and commitment of Belarusians shines through.
From exile and within the country, Belarusians are finding new ways to support each other, expose human rights violations, and keep the spirit of resistance alive. As countries across Europe face growing crackdowns on protest, the rise of far-right influence, and intensifying censorship, Belarusian civil society offers valuable lessons.
In June came the release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a long-time activist and the husband of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, alongside 13 other prisoners. This is a clear sign that pressure does work. Persistent advocacy has impact.
Now is the time for the international community to take decisive action, to pressure Lukashenko’s regime to respect human rights, honour its international obligations, and release political prisoners.
Our determination to defend the rights of those who pay a high price for speaking out for democratic change in Belarus is fierce, and our solidarity with them steadfast.
We have a duty to keep Belarus high on the European and global agenda, and to continue calling for the unconditional release of all political prisoners.
We won’t stop until this becomes reality.
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