By Alicia Tremel

The images of the peaceful protests by Belarusians following the presidential election in August 2020 went around the world. The nationwide demonstrations were led by women, notably the trio of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Maria Kalesnikava and Veranika Tsepkala and were characterized by impressive symbols. Women in white dresses carrying red flowers or the hand signs heart, fist and peace of the three revolutionary leaders all symbolize the silent and peaceful protest by a nation who no longer wants to be controlled by Russia and autocrat Alexander Lukashenko, but is demanding democratic elections (cf. Walker 2020).

The genesis of the conflict that led to the demonstrations in August 2020 can be read elsewhere (e.g, Bota 2021; Bedford 2021). This text is concerned with the current situation and in particular the human rights situation in the country of Belarus in 2022 and 2023. The numerous socio-political and ecological crises of our time have pushed the fate of the Belarusians into the background of world public opinion. But what does that mean for the current situation in Belarus?

Leading human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW) or the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) all classify the human rights situation in Belarus as worrying and urge the release of political prisoners and the compliance of important fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, association and assembly. Comparing the HRW reports of 2020 and 2022 it becomes visible that the suppression and prosecution of protesters, journalists, human rights defenders and opposition politicians, which was intensified in consequence of the demonstrations, further deteriorated (cf. HRW 2020; HRW 2023). As a result, the work of human rights organizations is illegal and at least 1,340 people were arrested on political charges (status as of 2022). The Russian invasion of Ukraine led to solidarity of the Belarusian leadership apparatus with Russia and the resulting protests from the population were brutally suppressed (cf. HRW 2023). Freedom of expression, association and assembly are severely restricted and result in the shutdown of NGOs and civil organizations, brutal dispersion of peaceful protests and frequent arrests and imprisonment of journalists and protestors (cf. Amnesty International 2022). An investigation by the UNHCHR revealed “dozens of first-hand accounts of torture […] and documented over 100 cases of sexual and gender-based violence against detainees” (UNHCHR 2023).

Further, Belarus is currently the only country in Europe adhering to the death penalty. The punishment is carried out for murder and terrorism charges and -since March 2023- also for charges of high treason. Since 2019, at least one person has been executed by firing squad with several people still on death row. Additionally HRW reports that family members do not receive clear communication about the fate of their loved ones and no burial sites are disclosed which contributes to the suffering of the bereaved (cf. HRW 2020; HRW 2023).

Lastly, the condition of the probably most prominent opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava, who is imprisoned since September 2020 remains unchanged. In consequence of the cruel conditions of imprisonment she suffered several severe health incidents and was in critical condition. Her current state is unknown but supposedly stable (cf. Bigot 2023).

This summary draws a sobering conclusion. The revolution, which was reported around the world in the summer of 2020, failed to bring about an improvement in the situation for the Belarusians, and the autocratic state leadership is once again proving its cruelty with its proximity to Russia and the worrying human rights situation. The fast pace of the mass media is causing a lack of interest on the part of the world public in the fate of the Belarusian population. However, it is important to continue reporting on the dramatic situation and to hold those responsible accountable in order to support the population in their fight for freedom, fair elections and human rights.

References:

Amnesty International. 2022. “Belarus 2022 Archives.” Amnesty International. 2022. https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/belarus/report-belarus/.

Bedford, Sofie. 2021. “The 2020 Presidential Election in Belarus: Erosion of Authoritarian Stability and Re-Politicization of Society.” Nationalities Papers 49 (5): 808–19. https://doi.org/10.1017/nps.2021.33.

Bigot, Jules. 2023. “Tatsiana Khomich, Sister of Maria Kalesnikava: “Maria Tore up Her Passport, She Refused to Be Expelled from Belarus“.” The New Federalist. March 25, 2023. https://www.thenewfederalist.eu/tatsiana-khomich-sister-of-maria-kalesnikava-maria-tore-up-her-passport?lang=fr.

Bota, Alice. 2021. Die Frauen von Belarus. eBook Berlin Verlag.

Human Rights Watch. 2020. “World Report 2021: Rights Trends in Belarus.” Human Rights Watch. December 3, 2020. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/belarus.

———. 2023. “Belarus: Events of 2022.” Human Rights Watch. January 12, 2023. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/belarus.

OHCHR. 2023. “Belarus Must End Systematic Repression, Release Detainees, UN Human Rights Chief Says.” OHCHR. 2023. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/03/belarus-must-end-systematic-repression-release-detainees-un-human-rights.

Walker, Shaun. 2020. “Belarus’s Female Revolution: How Women Rallied against Lukashenko.” The Guardian. September 12, 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/12/belaruss-female-revolution-how-women-rallied-against-lukashenko.