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German businessman and member of the populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), Jörg Dornau, signed an agreement with the Lida «Center for the Isolation of Offenders» (CIO) and regularly employed Belarusians convicted on political charges to work on his onion plantation near Lida. They were paid around 5 euros per day. As Reform.news found out, the German politician personally inspected the work of political prisoners.

We found one of those «politicals» who sorted onions for Jörg Dornau at the «Cybulka-Bel» company. His name is Andrei (name changed). He is not the only one who was sent from the CIO to do agricultural work, but he was the only one willing to share his story with Reform.news.

«Onion is tasty»

Andrei was detained in February 2024. He was sentenced to 15 days in the CIO for liking a post on social media. Andrei describes the working conditions as follows:

— They took us to a warehouse. February, basement, everyone had different clothing. So, our hands and feet were freezing. Breakfast was at 7:00 AM. We worked until 6:00 PM without food or drink. The onion is tasty.

Andrei says that a contract was signed between «Cybulka-Bel» and the Lida CIO. He notes that the work was not forced. The money earned was meant to cover the costs of being held at the CIO.

— We signed consent for the work every day. If the foreman thought a detainee was working well, he would be paid. The Lida CIO was paid 30 rubles, the detainees around 20. The onions were sorted for the ‘Evroopt’ trading network.

When asked if he had heard anything about the German farmer, Andrei replies:

— I even saw him! Tall, bald man. He came once in his car with German registration. He went into the warehouse where we were sorting onions along with hired workers.

Looking at a photo of Jörg Dornau, Andrei responds:

— Looks like him!

Who is Jörg Dornau?

Jörg Dornau was born in Borna, Saxony. He is 53 years old, has an agricultural education, and is engaged in entrepreneurial activities. In 2016, Dornau joined the far-right pro-Russian party «Alternative for Germany» (AfD). Since 2019, he has been a member of the Saxon parliament, representing the AfD parliamentary group on agricultural policy.

Dornau was also a member of the extremist radical faction of the AfD known as «The Wing».

The German politician made headlines in national German media after it was revealed that he owns the agricultural enterprise «Cybulka-Bel» LLC in Belarus. His farm cultivates onions and other vegetables on several hundred hectares in the Lida district. While conducting business is not prohibited for members of parliament under Saxon parliamentary law, Jörg Dornau concealed his business in Belarus, thus violating his reporting obligations. As a result, in August 2024, the Saxon parliament fined him 20,862 euros.

«Cybulka-Bel»

In Belarus, the German businessman often appeared in state-run Belarusian media, met with high-ranking officials, and enjoyed the patronage of the authorities.

He registered his company, LLC «Cybulka-Bel», in October 2020 in the village of Gudy in the Lida district of the Grodno region. This was precisely when Alexander Lukashenko, with the help of his security forces, was suppressing mass protests against the falsification of the presidential election.

By decisions of the Lida district executive committee, land plots with a total area of 1,555.4 hectares from the RUP «Sovkhoz Lidskiy» were gradually transferred to «Cybulka-Bel» for permanent use.

«Jörg Dornau is the leading specialist in onion cultivation in Germany. Within three years, agrarians from Leipzig expect to produce more than 10,000 tons of onions annually. This means that approximately every fifth onion grown in our country will be from Lida», boasted the newspaper of Lukashenko’s administration, «SB. Belarus Today», in July 2021.

The project’s cost, according to the deputy chairman of the Lida district executive committee, Igor Kvasovka, was estimated at between 4.7 and 6 million rubles (€1,410,000 and €1,800,000).

«In addition to vegetable cultivation and processing, the investor plans to create a full-fledged logistics complex for the storage and processing of products. Forty-five new jobs will be created», wrote the state-run «Lidskaya Gazeta» in January 2021.

It sounds promising, doesn’t it? New jobs!

In addition, «Cybulka-Bel» participated in government procurement procedures. From 2022 to 2024, Jörg Dornau’s company provided the state with soil liming services for acidic soils three times. The total cost of these services amounted to 70,992 Belarusian rubles.

It would have been extremely difficult for Jörg, without knowledge of the language and necessary connections, to run a business in Belarus. He has a partner, businessman Yurij Kunitski, who lives in Germany. German press materials describe him as follows:

«…has been working for many years for the Russian and Belarusian propaganda apparatus, and whose credit reports state: Business relations are not recommended».

This did not prevent him from entering into a joint business with Dornau: 50% of «Cybulka-Bel» is owned by Kunitski. From December 2020 to November 2023, he was also the company’s director, only later handing the position over to Dornau.

In an article from the «Lidskaya Gazeta» dated March 31, 2021, Yurij Kunitski stated that the process of land allocation was being carried out in accordance with existing legislation. «The staffing issue is also being addressed. The team is gradually growing. At present, we are recruiting machine operators to carry out the work. Overall, the company plans to employ up to 50 people, including seasonal workers» the newspaper wrote.

«Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the district and regional leadership for their trust. We were given the green light» Kunitski said.

«Seasonal» Workers

As we can see, Jörg Dornau took a rather unconventional approach to solving the staffing issue at «Cybulka-Bel». He personally inspected the work of Belarusian political prisoners. The German politician knew about and signed documents regarding the «services» provided by an institution where Belarusians are deliberately tortured.

During his visit to Belarus, Dornau remarked:

— Germany is missing out on economic opportunities in a country located at the heart of the new ‘Silk Road,’ serving as a kind of bridge to the Eurasian Economic Union with its more than 180 million consumer population.

Dornau chose not to miss out on the chance for economic cooperation with the country at the heart of the Silk Road and took advantage of the services provided by the Lida «Center for the Isolation of Offenders».

As a reminder, special conditions are created for «politicals» in detention cells: mattresses, pillows, and bedding are taken away. It is forbidden to sit or lie on the beds. Detainees are deprived of all packages. The light in the cell is on 24/7, and they are woken up several times at night. Most cells do not have toilets or sinks — only a plastic bucket in the corner, which must be emptied into a shared restroom in the hallway each morning. Our interviewee Andrei calls these conditions torturous.

In modern Belarus, it is impossible to punish those who exploit the lack of rights of Belarusians. Therefore, the Reform.news team hopes that German society can convey to Jörg Dornau the ethical concerns surrounding the practice of using political prisoners as labor.

Reform.news requested comments from Jörg Dornau, but as of the time of publication, we have not received a response.

Illustration: A prisoner in the Lida CIO. Drawing by Evgeny Lukashevich from the website spring96.org

Source: Reform.news

The UN Human Rights Council held an interactive dialogue on resolution 55/27 regarding the interim report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath.

The Chair of the Independent Expert Group on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus, Karinna Moskalenko, delivered the opening remarks. She emphasized the worsening human rights situation in Belarus, calling on the UN member states to exert maximum pressure on the Lukashenka regime for the release and full rehabilitation of all political prisoners. Ms. Moskalenko also urged the regime in Belarus to cooperate with the expert group and other UN human rights mechanisms.

The majority of UN Human Rights Council member countries, including EU nations, fully supported initiating the work of the independent expert group on Belarus. Delegates also emphasized the Lukashenka regime’s systematic attacks on civil society, the instrumentalization of the judicial system to suppress dissent, and other aspects of the state’s failure to meet its international human rights obligations.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered the closing remarks at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council:

“Over 1,400 political prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus. These are teachers, doctors, journalists, activists. What is their ‘crime’? They spoke the truth and dreamed of freedom. 

Many of them are kept incommunicado – without the right to contact the outside world. I haven’t heard from my husband, Siarhei, in over a year. I don’t know if he is alive. We have no news about Mikalai Statkevich, Maryia Kalesnikava, Ihar Losik, and many others. Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski is not receiving the necessary medical care.

This is psychological torture – not only for them but also for their families.

Belarusian prisons are death traps. Five political prisoners have already died in custody since 2020, including Ales Pushkin and Vitold Ashurak. We cannot wait for more deaths.

I urge the United Nations to act. Demand an end to the practice of incommunicado detention. Demand access to medical care and family contact for all political prisoners. This is not just a political issue – it is a matter of life and death.

I call on world leaders to make the release of political prisoners a priority. Speak out. Use your influence. Impose sanctions on the perpetrators. Together, we can stop this terror and bring hope back to Belarus”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

According to Viasna, since the beginning of 2024, more than 55 people have been detained upon their return to Belarus, 17 of whom have been prosecuted. At the same time, the figure may be significantly higher due to human rights defenders not having complete data. Both Belarusians and citizens of other countries, most of whom are Ukrainians, go through special inspection at the border. Subscriptions to independent media, saved photos from protests on your phone or social media, national symbols and even stamps in your passport confirming visits to Ukraine can become a reason for interrogation or detention. If a person is in the BESporiadki database, containing the data of all detainees after the start of the protests in 2020, then there may be no obvious grounds. People are interrogated, their phones are checked, some are handcuffed right on the bus, and others are visited a few days later. Viasna provides up-to-date information about the persecution of people who return to Belarus from abroad.

Human rights activists remind that if you participated in post-election protests, donated to Belarusian initiatives or organizations, left comments on the Internet, supported political prisoners with parcels or money, then it is dangerous to return to Belarus. 

Detentions and interrogations

Since the beginning of 2024, more than 55 people have been detained while crossing the Belarusian border, according to estimates of Viasna human rights activists, half of them were prosecuted under administrative articles. But note that this figure may be much higher due to the lack of complete data. 

The reason for the persecution may be photos from protests in 2020, donations, comments on social media, "extremist" reposts, photos with white-red-white symbols that are found on phones and social media, photos from solidarity actions abroad. Security forces find these on social media when checking phones at the border. Those who are included in the BESporiadki database which has the data of all detainees after the start of the protests in 2020 go through interrogations.

At the same time, in addition to detentions, those who enter the country are interrogated every day. Human rights activists know that customs officers or the KGB also pay attention to stamps confirming visits to Ukraine in the passport. It is also known that thorough checks of all Ukrainians crossing the Belarusian border are continuing. Eyewitnesses say that they can take more than six hours if there are several Ukrainian citizens on the bus. Some who say they are going to Russia are forced to buy a plane ticket from Minsk right at the border.

Checks and detentions are carried out at all working checkpoints with the European Union, including at the border with Russia. Security forces disembark Belarusians from regular buses, meet them at bus or railway stations, or come to their homes after their return. If the detention takes place right at the checkpoint, then the person is usually placed in the nearest police department before the trial, where a report is drawn up against them.

Administrative prosecution

The trials of people detained on the border of Belarus with the EU countries are held monthly. Most cases are handled in the Voraŭnaski District Court and the Leninski District Court of Brest. Most often, people are fined heavily, and some are detained for several days. Reports are usually drawn up for the "dissemination of extremist materials."

For example, the father of a minor child was convicted in Voranava on May 3. He was found guilty under Article 19.11 of the Administrative Code and was fined 1,200 rubles (more than 330 euros).

Pay attention! Human rights activists remind that persecution in Belarus have been taking place daily for three and a half years. If you have been socially and politically active since 2020 to this day: you took part in protests in Belarus and abroad, left comments on social media, donated to support victims in Belarus or Ukraine, were active in a neighbourhood chat, which you left a long time ago, once posted on Facebook a new music video of your favourite Belarusian band whose songs have been recognized as extremist, the risks of persecution upon return to Belarus are very high. Please take care of your safety, and also do not forget about your relatives and friends whose messages or photos from the protests can be found on your phone.

Illustration: fernandocobelo.com 

Source: Human Rights Center "Viasna" 

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commenced her visit to the United States by participating in a debate on political prisoners on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, organized by the EU Delegation together with Estonia, Lithuania, Spain, Germany, and France. Diplomats and representatives from more than 30 countries attended the debate, with the foreign ministers of Lithuania and Estonia, the state secretaries of France and Germany, as well as ambassadors from several other countries delivering speeches.

In her address, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the catastrophic situation in Belarus, urging UN intervention. She proposed the following practical steps:

• Urging the UN Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to raise the issue of political prisoners with Lukashenka.

• Demanding that the UN Office in Belarus or humanitarian organizations gain access to political prisoners.

• Exploring diplomatic channels for prisoner exchanges, similar to the Krasikov case or the exchange of POWs with Ukraine.

• Initiating UN Security Council Arria-formula hearings to discuss Belarus, addressing both security and humanitarian aspects.

• Raising the issue of political prisoners in UN debates and resolutions, demanding their release and rehabilitation.

• Discussing the issue of political prisoners with or within the OSCE and ODIHR at the upcoming Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw next month.

• Supporting the International Accountability Platform for Belarus to hold perpetrators to account and the International Humanitarian Fund to support the repressed.

• Making any cooperation with the regime conditional on practical changes, including the release of political prisoners and the cessation of repression.

• Engaging the regime’s partner countries that have leverage and can contribute to the release of political prisoners.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Why a policy of realpolitik towards Alexander Lukashenko’s regime is doomed to fail

Original article: novayagazeta.eu

“If the Belarusian opposition asked me for advice, I would tell them to agree to anything Lukashenko says in exchange for free parliamentary elections and parliamentary immunity,” Ukraine’s former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko said in a recent interview with independent Belarusian media outlet Zerkalo.

Seeing such statements reminds me how strong faith in democracy is among those who have had the good fortune to see it in practice and to live in a democracy. How incontrovertible it is to people with a well-established democratic way of thinking. And how this belief can sometimes lead to an assumption that you can get regimes diametrically opposed to democracy to agree to a smooth transition to democracy of their own volition and agree to set the process of their own self-destruction in motion themselves.

Meanwhile, Belarus is into its fourth decade of Lukashenko’s dictatorial rule. And in this fourth decade, there are clear signs that the transformation of his regime from an authoritarian dictatorship to a totalitarian one is nearing its completion. Any signs of a loosening of his grip, a thaw, liberalisation or democratisation are conspicuous by their absence.

The Belarusian Doctor of Sociology Henadz Korshunau published the latest section of his Barometer of Repression study at the end of July. It is essential reading for anyone who really wants to understand the current scale of repression in Belarus. It gives us an accurate assessment of the situation based on facts, rather than subjective feelings or assumptions.

In its fourth decade of Lukashenko’s rule, there are clear signs that Belarus’s transformation from an authoritarian dictatorship to a totalitarian one is nearing its completion.

Namely, the number of political prisoners was up, the number of new criminal cases against Belarusians who disagree with the Lukashenko regime is at its highest in the last four years, 50,000 people have been detained since the start of the 2020 election campaign and more than 1,700 Belarusian nonprofits have been shut down since 2021, and these are conservative estimates.

Welcome to the reality of living in a dictatorship, democracy’s alternative reality, where democratic thinking often goes to die. Democratic thinking does not and cannot work in such an alternative reality, as reality in a dictatorship functions according to a completely different set of rules.

The rules are simple and the overriding principle is “crush or be crushed”. And all these years Lukashenko has been busy crushing his opponents, journalists, peaceful protesters or political prisoners. He crushes civil rights, freedoms, civil society and private business — anything that poses an internal threat.

His aggression has long since crossed Belarus’s borders too. In addition to the repression at home, the Lukashenko regime has nothing against external terror either: whether by hijacking a civilian aircraft, launching a hybrid migration war with the EU, sending spies and saboteurs to neighbouring European countries or complicity in the war against Ukraine. Crush or be crushed.

We all saw the invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory on 24 February 2022. The massacre in Bucha. More than 800 missile strikes launched from Belarus. At least 3,500 Ukrainian children deported directly by the Lukashenko regime. We see the assistance the Lukashenko regime has provided to Russia in circumventing sanctions. We see the mass transfer of weapons to Russia. We see the production of weapons for Russia by the Belarusian military-industrial complex. And who can forget the redeployment of Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus?

We see attacks on Polish border guards. We saw the murder of a Polish soldier on the border. We have seen sabotage and arson on Polish territory. And, forgive me for a personal take, but at the end of July I testified to the Polish Prosecutor’s Office in a case of incitement to murder. The target was me, and foreign secret services were to be used to take my life.

Yet we still see proposals suggesting we can come to some sort of agreement with Lukashenko. Or make concessions to him. Sadly, some proposals have even come from people who identify as members of the Belarusian democratic forces.

Proposals to recognise the regime as legitimate, to send European ambassadors, to review sanctions, to implement a “flexible policy” and compromise with Lukashenko. The proposals may look like they come from a parallel reality, but that is the reality of Lukashenko’s dictatorship, and the people making them are effectively calling for normalising and accepting the regime.

Despite being capitulation plain and simple, such proposals do have a certain basis in reality and are partly built on the West’s largely ill-defined and indecisive position towards the Lukashenko regime, which can hardly be called a strategy in its current form.

The position would appear to be one of applying pressure on the regime, but not too much. Impose trade sanctions, but don’t create too much of an economic shock. Harmonise sanctions against the Lukashenko regime and Russia for the war — but not completely. Declare at the highest level the need to bring the Lukashenko regime to book for crimes against humanity and war crimes — but don’t carry it through.

And what do regimes like Lukashenko’s see in such a stand? Weakness. A chance to go on committing their crimes, to pursue terror, to unleash aggression. Because the only language they understand is the language of power. They speak no other language. All they see in half-measures and attempts at diplomacy is a manifestation of weakness, room for manoeuvre and an opportunity to up the ante. And they exploit that.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on her proposed alternative passport scheme, collective responsibility for the war and beating Alexander Lukashenko at the ballot box

What we are seeing is positional action, a reactive rather than proactive tactic. It is a tactic without a strategy. After all, a strategy implies clearly defined goals, and knowing exactly what you want to achieve. And tactics should bring you closer to that goal, tie into that strategy and actively contribute to it.

What should the West’s basic strategic goal towards Belarus be? I think it’s obvious — democratisation, followed by the integration of Belarus into the European community and European civilisation.

Is that possible while Lukashenko prolongs and cements his dictatorship? Of course not. Is it possible to achieve anything other than his further entrenchment with half-measures and concessions? By recognising the regime as legitimate? By lifting sanctions, absolving him of all legal liability? No, it is impossible. Lukashenko’s 30-year rule is proof positive of that, and objective facts clearly outline the trajectory of the regime’s evolution — a totalitarian dictatorship protected by the empire next door. North Korea 2.0.

You’d be hard pushed to find anyone willing to say that realpolitik as applied to dictators who unleashed bloody wars, mass repression and genocide has ever been a successful “strategy”.

To this end, the realpolitik approach, whose adherents propose compromises with Lukashenko, is no longer just a delusion, the self-deception of idealistic democrats who believe that gradual change in such a dictatorship is possible and that there is so much as a grain of sanity and flexibility within it. It is something else entirely. It is conceding the dictatorship’s right to exist.

But once you concede that a dictator living and ruling on the principle of “crush or be crushed” has the “rule of force”, there is only one conclusion he can draw — that he can be confident both of his power and his impunity.

History knows many such examples. And you’d be hard pushed to find anyone willing to say that realpolitik as applied to dictators who unleashed bloody wars, mass repression and genocide has ever been a successful “strategy”. And we can clearly see where this approach has led as regards Lukashenko. It’s as if we can see but don’t want to notice.

There is a concept of eyes on the prize, but when it comes to a strategy for Belarus, the opposite seems to be the case. Without identifying and setting a goal, it is impossible to move from tactics to strategy. The longer that takes, the longer the Belarusian question remains a bleeding wound.

Source: NAM

Dmitri Vasserman, the representative of the People's Embassy of Belarus in Sweden, also participated in the meeting.

During the discussion, the two chairpersons explored a number of important issues, including interparliamentary collaboration between the Swedish Riksdag and the Coordination Council, ensuring freedom of movement for Belarusians, and the legalization of Belarusian refugees in Sweden. A crucial part of the conversation focused on how to fine-tune sanctions to maximize their impact on the illegitimate regime and its commercial and repressive structures, while maintaining openness and cooperation with the already oppressed Belarusian population.

Aliaxandra Mamaeva gave Aron Emilsson a detailed overview of the structure and operations of the Coordination Council, along with insights into other institutions within Belarus’ democratic movement. She also provided an update on the situation in Belarus, highlighting the repressive tactics used by the brutal pro-Russian dictatorship against the country's citizens.

 The meeting ended with a shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation in support of human rights and democracy in Belarus. 

Source: People's Embassies of Belarus

The Belarusian democratic forces and diaspora groups are actively assisting the victims of the flood that has affected several countries in Central Europe, including Poland and the Czech Republic. In this difficult time, Belarusians are showing solidarity and support both within their community and for the affected residents.

The United Transitional Cabinet has organized a hotline to assist Belarusians affected by the floods in Poland and Czechia.

Belarusians themselves are also actively participating in helping those affected by the disaster.

Belarusians in Wrocław (Poland) have mobilized by signing up as volunteers and assisting flood victims in Lower Silesia. An urgent collection of humanitarian aid has been initiated in Warsaw, with people bringing necessary items to collection points across the city.

In the Czech Republic, Belarusians are also joining volunteer efforts. Ryhor Shylin, the father of Varvara, the girl who once donated her drone to Ukraine, is now helping flood victims. At the initiative of the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic, Belarusians and Czechs are donating to fundraisers organized by Czech NGOs.

Belarusians living in the flood-affected area are providing information about local needs. For example, Dr. Volha Zharnasek has reported that Šumperk and its vicinity need rubber gloves, shovels, and other items.

“Dear Belarusians, once again, you are demonstrating solidarity and self-organization. When a disaster strikes the countries where you live, you immediately respond, volunteering and raising funds. Thank you for your humanity and empathy. If you have been personally affected by the disaster, please contact us through the hotline, and we will do our best to assist and answer your questions”, comments Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

The Deputy Head of the Cabinet, Head of the NAM Pavel Latushka held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Simonas Satunas.

"We will continue to work with the Lithuanian government to increase sanctions pressure on Lukashenko's regime until the regime stops repression, releases all political prisoners, stops the migration war on the border with the European Union, and stops supporting Russia in its aggression against Ukraine", — Pavel Latushka noted after the meeting.

Pavel Latushka informed the deputy minister about:

•  the main goal of the work of the National Anti-Crisis Management: using the existing international legal mechanisms, to bring the dictator Lukashenko and his accomplices to accountability for crimes against humanity against the Belarusian people and other international crimes;

•  lack of conditions for conducting competitive and transparent elections in Belarus in 2025. Simonas Satunas noted that if the so-called "elections" in Belarus take place in the same manner as the preparations for them, Lukashenko's regime can expect the next stage of sanctions.

Due to the fact that Simonas Satunas is responsible for sanctions policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, special attention was paid to sanctions issues at the meeting. Pavel Latushka emphasized that the existing "gaps" between the two dictatorial regimes allow Lukashenko to receive the products necessary to support Russian aggression in Ukraine. The issue of increased control over the implementation of already imposed sanctions and the need for an integrated approach to this issue to prevent the circumvention of sanctions restrictions was also discussed. Simonas Satunas noted that he is in favor of further harmonization of sanctions against Lukashenko's regime and Russia.

Pavel Latushka drew the special attention of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania to the ongoing repressions in Belarus. Every day, the regime continues its politically motivated persecution. Dozens of new political prisoners are jailed every month. Arrests of Belarusians returning from abroad continue. Those who provide assistance to political prisoners also fall under repression.

In connection with the fact that the team of the NAM sent a request to the Finance Minister of Lithuania regarding Belarusian cars "stuck" in the port of Klaipeda, the deputy minister presented the position of the Lithuanian side on this issue. The issue of the ban on the entry of vehicles with Belarusian registration into the territory of Lithuania was also touched upon.

"The substantive dialogue with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania demonstrates the coincidence of the positions of the United Transitional Cabinet and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania on fundamental issues of further policy towards the Lukashenko’s regime. During the meeting, they noted not only the importance of sanctions pressure on the Lukashenko’s regime, but also the need for international cooperation in the protection of human rights and democratic principles, as well as the need for separation between the Lukashenko’s regime and Belarusians who oppos war and dictatorship", — Pavel Latushka said.

Source: NAM

They met with members of the parliamentary group Friends of Belarus and Marco Villani, a diplomatic representative from Italy’s Ministry of the Interior.

Key topics discussed included:

— Developing a plan for an international parliamentary assembly involving the "Friends of Democratic Belarus" groups;

— Providing updates on the current situation in Belarus;

— Efforts to secure the release of political prisoners, the condition of Maryia Kalesnikava, and the continued pressure on the regime;

— Issues surrounding the legalization and integration of Belarusians in Italy. Specific proposals were made regarding foreigner passports, cooperation with local law enforcement, and integration programs.

The People’s Embassy of Belarus in Italy also prepared a detailed list of challenges faced by Belarusians in the country.

“We shared this list with our Italian colleagues and are now awaiting further consultations with the Ministry of the Interior to continue discussions and identify tools to address these issues. We hope this meeting will open new opportunities for collaboration and improve the overall situation for Belarusian citizens in Italy,” Yulia Yukhno remarked. 

Source: People's Embassies of Belarus

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, during his visit to Vilnius. While she expressed her gratitude to the United States for its support and solidarity, the US representative emphasized that the United States will continue to support the people of Belarus and the democratic community. The parties discussed the following topics during the meeting:

📌 The military and political situation inside the country, including Russia’s use of Belarusian airspace for military operations against Ukraine, and the regime’s supply of arms to the Russian army. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that the Belarusian people oppose the war.

📌 International efforts to achieve the release of political prisoners, including the possible additional steps the international community and the United States can take to free political prisoners in Belarus and stop the repression.

📌 Non-recognition of the 2025 “election”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted that the election will not be transparent, free, or fair, and therefore cannot be recognized by the international community.

📌 Continued Strategic Dialogue between the US and the democratic forces of Belarus. The parties agreed to continue working on several fronts, including political prisoners, media, national identity, and human rights protection, and to hold the next major meeting in the coming months.

📌 Appointment of a US Special Envoy for Belarus. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that such an appointment would enhance coordination between the democratic forces of Belarus and the United States.

📌 Increased support for civil society and independent media. The Belarusian leader proposed continuing and expanding support programs for independent organizations and initiatives, as well as those persecuted.

📌 Sanctions against the regime. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya called for maintaining sanctions against organizations and individuals involved in repression and facilitating Russia’s war.

📌 Coordinated actions during the UN General Assembly and within the OSCE framework.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The United States of America is our key ally and partner. We agreed to unite our efforts for the release of political prisoners and democratic changes in our country. I expressed gratitude for the US’ unwavering support for Belarusian civil society, independent media, and the comprehensive support from American diplomats. I emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the regime and Belarusians, as well as between Belarus and Russia. We cannot allow our country to become a ‘consolation prize’ for Putin following the war. We will continue the Strategic Dialogue with the US and hope to hold the next high-level meeting later this year”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

We would like to share with you that this convent has repeatedly been involved in scandalous stories in 2020, due to its support for state terror against peaceful Belarusian citizens, and now, due to its support for Russia's war in Ukraine.

For dictator Lukashenko, the support of his illegitimate regime by the convent is very important. He went there Christmas time and “defended” them from what he called to be "attacks by a couple of dozen paid people."

The spiritual leader of the Saint Elisabeth Convent, Andrei Lemeshonok, claims that the whole world is against Russia and Russian Orthodox believers. He calls life in the West sinful and godless and says that Russian Orthodox do not need this "free world, where everything is turned upside down." He openly and publicly hopes for Russia's victory and urges everyone to pray for Putin, his puppet Lukashenko, and Russia's ministers of defense and foreign affairs. It’s not surprising that a religious procession at the convent takes place alongside the sober song "Katyusha" and with a Russian flag bearing the letter "Z."

In the autumn of 2022, Belarusian teenagers were trained to assemble and disassemble automatic rifles at the convent.

A group called "Help to the Brothers" was created at the convent, which takes care of requests for the needs of Russian soldiers, including not only clothing, footwear, or medicine, but also funds to purchase items already used in combat: radios, drones, and thermal imagers. Every couple of weeks, sisters deliver the collected items to Moscow, where they are distributed further.

In 2023 alone, the convent participated in the purchase of at least 11 vehicles for Russian troops. In 2024, the fundraising for this type of purchases continued.

Where do they get the money to support the occupiers?

"One of the main income sources of the Saint Elisabeth Convent is the sale of workshop produce from the convent and the resale of Chinese consumer goods abroad under the guise of workshop produce. For decades, employees from the international department, dressed as sisters of mercy and fluent in foreign languages, have traveled across Europe in trucks, selling various souvenirs, books, and religious items in exchange for foreign currency. These sales are accompanied by claims that the funds raised go to social activities and projects of the convent - “to help the underprivileged and those in need in Belarus."

And the best place for sales are fairs, not in Belarus, but in Europe!

In 2022, Belarusian activists in the United Kingdom and Norway managed to cancel the convent's participation in fairs. Nevertheless, in May 2022 and apparently in December 2022, this did not stop the appearance of sisters in those countries. There were also convent tours noted in Florence, Belgium (photo 1, photo 2) and in Poland.

In March 2023, in Sweden, thanks to the efforts of the People's Embassy of Belarus in Sweden, the convent's trade activities were suspended, and information about them and fundraising for the Russian invasion army in Ukraine appeared in many Swedish newspapers and TV channels.

From September 30 to October 2, 2023, a produce exhibition from the convent was held at Saint Nicholas Cathedral (Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate) in Nice. The People's Embassy of Belarus in France promptly informed Ukrainians in Nice about this.

On September 2, 2023, Belarusian activists spotted the convent's tent at an agricultural exhibition in Częstochowa, Poland. An article about this appeared in the newspaper Wyborcza. However, on October 29, 2023, in Warsaw, a trading tent of the convent was spotted on the territory of the Orthodox Church of St. John Climacus. The People's Embassy of Belarus in Poland sent letters to the city councils of these cities and to local media with information about the activities of the convent. 

In December 2023, nuns participated in Christmas fairs in Florence and Milan. The People's Embassy of Belarus in Italy sent letters to the municipalities of these cities.

In Slovakia, on January 12, 2024, the convent's participation in a fair was canceled, but on January 28, 2024, nuns were spotted in Berlin.

Despite Ireland’s strong support for Ukrainians, in March 2024, the sisters of the monastery received a warm welcome in Ireland. Moreover, they claimed that the humanitarian aid and money they collect in the monastery are taken to Ukraine as assistance by their representative. 

The Irish Ambassador to Poland was informed about this visit. Thanks to contacts from the People's Consulate of Belarus in Scotland, information about the activities of the Saint Elisabeth Convent was also conveyed to Irish MPs.

On March 19, 2024, the investigative media outlet “Bureau” published a major article titled "Holy Accounting: The Business Holding of the Saint Elisabeth Convent," which detailed the laws by which the monastery operates, whose interests it serves, how it earns millions of dollars through “grey” schemes, and what connection Lukashenko's family has to this.

In May of this year, it became known that the monastery sent a letter to Catholic communities in Western Europe denying its involvement in aiding Russian soldiers. At the same time, religious communities in France began to refuse to cooperate with the Saint Elisabeth Convent due to its proven support of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

On June 9, 2024, Sister Nymphadora, responsible for commerce and fundraising in Europe, revealed that the monastery’s messengers are no longer welcomed as warmly as before. Nevertheless, she boasted that they are managing to promote Russian propaganda narratives in Europe, albeit within a limited circle of "loyal friends," some of whom secretly admit that they are "for Putin."

The People’s Embassies of Belarus and Christian Vision are closely monitoring the monastery’s tours, informing politicians, media, and religious organisations in various countries about the activities of the monastery, its support for Lukashenko’s criminal regime’s terror against peaceful Belarusians, and its fundraising for the Russian invasion army in Ukraine.

We call on you to join our campaign and draw Europeans' attention to: 

— the activities of the monastery;

— its participation in fairs in European cities;

— preventing further issuance of Schengen visas and trade rights in Europe for the monastery’s employees.

By allowing the monastery to participate in fairs, European citizens unknowingly provide financial support for war and the killing of Ukrainians.

Let’s work TOGETHER to counter this support!

P.S: We would be happy to answer any questions about the activities of the Saint Elisabeth Convent and share relevant information:

 chat-bot: https://t.me/PEofBelarus_bot 

 email: infopoint@belarusabroad.org

 You can find all information collated about the monastery’s activities here: 

 https://stopsem.churchby.info/ 

Source: People's Embassies of Belarus

As part of a series of consultations with foreign diplomats accredited in Warsaw, the Deputy Head of the Cabinet Pavel Latushka met with the Swedish Ambassador Andreas von Beckerath at the initiative of the head of the Swedish diplomatic mission. During the meeting, it was noted that Sweden will proceed from the principle of the rule of law in relation to the regime in Belarus. The speaker of the Coordinating Council Anzhalika Melnikova also took part in the meeting.

Pavel Latushka presented the Swedish side with information about the regime's planned "no-elections", continuation and strengthening of repression against Belarusians, Lukashenko's support for Russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as about the role of democratic institutions and the unity of the majority of representatives of the Dems forces of Belarus, which was emphasized during the "New Belarus" conference in Vilnius.

Separately, Pavel Latushka focused on the priorities of the foreign policy strategy of democratic institutions and the strategy of bringing representatives of the regime to international responsibility for crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Swedish Ambassador was also informed about the international conference "Accountability for the crimes and human rights violations in Belarus", which will be held on September 13 in Vilnius.

The Ambassador assured that Sweden will continue to pursue a proactive policy to support the democratic forces of Belarus, and this approach will not change given the appointment of the new head of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Malmer Stenergard.

The speaker of the Coordination Council, Anzhalika Melnikova, raised the issue of Sweden's migration policy and possible steps to improve the situation with the granting of international protection status to Belarusian refugees. The speaker noted that this is one of the most important tracks that the People's Embassy in Stockholm and the international commission of the Coordination Council are engaged in today.

Anzhalika Melnikova emphasized that the Coordination Council is interested in expanding cooperation with the Swedish Parliament, including the group for a free and democratic Belarus and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, in close cooperation with the United Transitional Cabinet, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the People's Embassy in Stockholm.

Source: NAM

Summary:

• The repression of dissidents and those who express opposition to the regime in Belarus persists, with the level of criminal prosecution remaining at an alarmingly high rate. The prospect of politically motivated criminal prosecution represents an imminent danger to all individuals who have engaged in protests or expressed criticism of the prevailing political circumstances in the country or of regime officials. Those who have voiced their opinions peacefully or supported protests are also at risk.

• Since the summer of 2020, the human rights community has identified 3,500 individuals as political prisoners, 627 of whom are women. As of August 31, 2024, there were 1,376 individuals recognized as incarcerated on political grounds in Belarus, including 177 women. In August, the human rights community declared 52 people as such. A further 22 former political prisoners were identified as requiring rehabilitation, due to the lack of prior awareness of their identities among human rights activists.

• The Viasna Human Rights Center has several members currently serving sentences in correctional facilities. These include Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski, vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Valiantsin Stefanovic, Uladzimir Labkovich, Maria Rabkova, volunteer Andrei Chapiuk, and Human Constanta human rights activist Nasta Loika.

• It is known that several political prisoners have been held incommunicado for long periods. Among them are Maksim Znak, Maria Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka, Mikalai Statkevich, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Ihar Losik, and Uladzimir Kniha, who have been deprived of contact with the outside world for more than a year and are restricted in communicating with fellow inmates.

• In the four years since August 2020, Viasna has documented over 74,000 instances of repression, encompassing arbitrary detentions, searches, interrogations, and other forms of criminal and administrative prosecution.

• The arbitrary repression of citizens for exercising their civil rights persists. In August, Viasna received information about at least 152 cases of politically motivated repression resulting in criminal and administrative prosecutions, with at least 81 administrative cases being considered by courts.

• In August, the Viasna human rights activists presented a summary of the results of politically motivated criminal prosecutions that had occurred in July. A notable increase in the number of trials has been observed. Based on preliminary data, at least 170 individuals were convicted during July, comprising 134 males and 36 females. Almost half of the convictions were handed down in Minsk. More than half of those sentenced were convicted for taking part in protests in the year 2020 (Article 342 of the Criminal Code). At least 28 people were convicted in absentia.

• The authorities are continuing to expand the lists of individuals and organizations involved in extremist and terrorist activities, as well as the list of extremist materials.

• Viasna human rights defenders still regularly register and document instances of torture and prohibited treatment during politically motivated criminal investigations, as well as in administrative proceedings. The same applies to persecution and imprisonment on political grounds. Detainees are also deprived of adequate medical care.

• In Geneva, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities examined the report of the Belarusian authorities on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The committee highlighted the prevalence of a medical rather than a human rights approach in Belarus, the closure of NGOs, the lack of inclusion of women with disabilities in decision-making processes, the stereotyping of persons with disabilities in the media, the transfer of Ukrainian children from territories temporarily occupied by Russia to Belarus, the situation of refugees on the border between Belarus and the EU, and the practice of non-renewal of Belarusian passports by diplomatic missions abroad. The Committee also observed that the deprivation of legal capacity in Belarus is in contravention of the Convention, that forced psychiatric treatment violates three articles of the Convention, that conditions in Belarusian prisons are not adapted for persons with disabilities, and that many representatives of civil society organizations were unable to attend the meeting due to their detention. The alternative report was presented by human rights defenders, who subsequently met with the Committee.

Politically motivated prosecution. Political prisoners

As of August 31, the total number of political prisoners in detention facilities was 1,376. The group included 177 women and at least 15 individuals with disabilities.

Over 2,100 individuals, including 450 women, have been released due to completing their sentence (1188), change of restraining order, non-custodial sentence, amnesty, or pardon. Some of them died in prison. This brings the total number of political prisoners and former political prisoners to 3,500.

In the four years since August 2020, Viasna has documented over 74,000 instances of repression, encompassing arbitrary detentions, searches, interrogations, etc. In this period, the number of political prisoners has increased a whopping 55.5 times. On August 9, 2020, there were 25 such prisoners. There are at least 6,971 people who are known to be facing criminal charges. In addition, six political prisoners are known to have died in captivity: Aliaksandr Kulinich, Ihar Lednik, Vadzim Khrasko, Ales Pushkin, Mikalai Klimovich, and Vitold Ashurak.

Last month, human rights activists learned of the political imprisonment and recognized 52 people as political prisoners. These included 16 people arrested and detained for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression (August 7 and August 29 statements); 24 people charged with defamation, incitement to hatred and discord, treason, and other offenses used to selectively and discriminatorily protect government officials, often in closed trials (August 21 and August 22 statements); and 12 people prosecuted for dissent under overly broad and vague extremism legislation (August 23 and August 30 statements).

The human rights community also called for the rehabilitation of 22 former political prisoners, whose identities were revealed to human rights activists following their release.

About 30 political prisoners are known to have been released after completing their prison sentences. This group includes Hleb Ramanau, Ihar Rudchyk, Maksim Razhkou, and Yauhen Kharashkevich. On August 16, a decree was signed granting amnesty to 30 political prisoners. The names of the eight political prisoners on release are yet unknown.

Political prisoner Yauhen Kladau was not released after serving his sentence because he was facing new charges.

Pressure continues on those who remain in detention. For example, Siarhei Ramanau, who had been held in a secure housing unit for six months until May 2024, was returned to segregation in June – for five more months. It is known that Andrzej Poczobut remains in a secure housing unit. Yauhen Afnahel, a European Belarus activist, was transferred to a high-security prison.

As a means of exerting pressure on political prisoners, the extension of their captivity is actively pursued through additional charges of persistent disobedience to prison administration (Art. 411 of the Criminal Code). In August, such charges were filed against Yury Ziankovich, and the trial of Viachaslau Maleichuk commenced. Additional sentences of one year in prison were imposed on Siarhei Dziatsuk, Siarhei Yafimau, and Tsimur Ryzapur. Yahor Ibrahimau was also convicted under this article (the outcome of the trial is not known).

Political prisoners Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, Maria Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka, Uladzimir Hundar, Mikalai Statkevich, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Maksim Znak, Ihar Losik, and Yauhen Afnahel are still being held incommunicado.

Furthermore, the families of political prisoners are subjected to politically motivated persecution. To illustrate, at least 126 individuals have been subjected to administrative prosecution for receiving humanitarian aid through the social initiative INeedHelpBY. Furthermore, more than 20 individuals are currently in custody on criminal charges for assisting political prisoners. Iryna Takarchuk, Alesia Siarhejenka, Alena Dzemianchuk and Nadzeya Leskavets were sentenced to imprisonment.

Natallia Malets was sentenced to imprisonment for sending commissary money to political prisoners.

Belarusians returning home from abroad continue to get detained. For example, Katsiaryna Bystrakova was arrested upon her return to the country for participating in the 2020 protests.

Persecution of human rights defenders

For more than three years, Viasna activists Maria Rabkova, Andrei Chapiuk, Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic, and Uladzimir Labkovich have been imprisoned for their human rights activities.

Nasta Loika, a human rights defender from Human Constanta, has been imprisoned for one year and ten months for her human rights work.

At least seven defense lawyers are imprisoned on political grounds.

Torture and ill-treatment

It has been revealed that Maria Kalesnikava, a political prisoner whose relatives have been unable to contact her for an extended period, has experienced a significant loss of weight while in captivity. Based on reports from former prisoners, she now weighs approximately 45 kg and is 175 cm tall. She is restricted from receiving medical care.

It has been observed that special agencies are continuing to force detainees in politically motivated cases to record videos of confessions and apologies ("penitential videos") for subsequent publication in pro-government media.

Political prisoners continue to face pressure and arbitrary placement in punitive isolation cells for extended periods. This means remaining in solitary confinement in degraded conditions and a ban on correspondence or lawyer visits. Human rights activists became aware of the fact that the anarchist Mikalai Dziadok has been in a punishment cell since June. The human rights activist Andrei Chapiuk spent 10 days there, including the day of the planned family visit. Political prisoner Yahor Lebiadok was also punished with 10 days in segregation. Anarchist Ihar Alinevich, who was regularly placed in a punishment cell by the prison administration, went on a hunger strike in June, was admitted to a prison hospital over a stomach ulcer, but then returned to prison.

Former political prisoner Siarhei Monich told about the conditions of detention in the punishment cells in Mahilioŭ Prison No. 4. The poor quality of the food provided and the limited amount of commissary money allowed to spend on food leads to rapid weight loss and generally poor health. It is also noted that the punishment cell is very cold and has no heating.

Former political prisoner Viktar Pantsialeyeu provides an overview of the conditions of detention in the punishment cell at Remand Prison No. 7. The cell measures 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters and contains a toilet in the form of an unfenced hole in the floor, a folding bed, a small table, and a small stool.

Viktar Pantsialeyeu also outlines the conditions of prison escort to court, noting that deliberately inhumane treatment is applied specifically to political prisoners. All transfers are performed in the "swallow" position, with the hands secured behind an inmate’s back and twisted upward while their torso and head are lowered into a semi-bent position.

A woman detained while crossing the border described the conditions of detention for women in the temporary detention center in Brest: the cell is unhygienic and infested with bedbugs, and the toilet is a hole in the floor with no partition. No personal hygiene items were handed out. Meanwhile, women who were detained for failure to pay child support were issued mattresses for the night.

Lack of fair trial in politically motivated cases

By Decree No. 298, Aliaksandr Lukashenka appointed several judges to new positions or new five-year terms, including a large number of those involved in politically motivated prosecutions.

Judges Viachaslau Tuleika, Alena Ananich, Anatol Sotnikau, Ihar Shvedau, Tattsiana Shotsik, Vasil Skok, Stanislau Ivaniutsenka, Aliaksei Khlyshchankou, Ihar Ziamtsou, Volha Dubovich, Anton Dudal, Mikalai Serhiyevich, Andrei Mlechka, and prosecutor Iryna Padkavyrava were included in the new EU sanctions package.

Social activists and regime opponents continue to face trials in absentia. For example, on August 2, journalist Ales Kirkevich was sentenced in absentia to 7 years in prison for giving an interview to an independent media outlet that the authorities had declared an extremist formation.

Court hearings in politically motivated criminal cases continue to be unjustifiably held in closed session and in complete secrecy.

Violation of freedom of association

The mass forced liquidation of NGOs persists. The court is to consider the claims of the authorities to liquidate the International Public Association "Cultural Exchange," the Public Association "Sports Club BKHM," and the International Public Association "Alternative."

ProWomenBY, a non-profit organization, announced its closure due to pressure from authorities.

Anarchist Black Cross Belarus social media accounts have been declared extremist material.

The non-profit organization OEEC has been declared an extremist formation. The organization's employees may be held criminally liable.

The prosecution of pro-democratic political structures, public initiatives, and associations persists. On August 28, the trial of the individuals involved in the "Talent Pool for New Belarus" initiative commenced.

The persecution of neighborhood communities, which played a pivotal role in mobilizing for the 2020 protests, persists. We have been informed that another "neighborhood chat" administrator, Aliaksei Yaumenenkau, has been detained.

Individuals who provide financial support to public organizations and initiatives that are viewed as contrary to the interests of the government are still facing legal action for promoting extremist views.

Violation of the freedom of peaceful assembly. Suppression of freedom of expression

It is of concern that criminal prosecutions for exercising the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression continue unabated. There have been instances where individuals have been prosecuted en masse and have received severe penalties, including imprisonment.

On August 5, the Leninski District Court of Brest announced the sentences of eight participants in the August 10, 2020 protests. The individuals sentenced were Ivan Amreichyk, Vasil Niparko, Aliaksei Samoiluk, Anatol Zakurko, Ihar Sarokin, Siarhei Dzemidziuk, Mikita Yakhimovich, and Valiantsina Zhukouskaya. All individuals were charged under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to "participation in group actions that grossly violate public order," and were subsequently sentenced to imprisonment.

The list of individuals subject to special proceedings is being expanded. The expression of opinion and participation in peaceful assemblies continue to be prosecuted and punished in absentia. In August, five such defendants were added to the list, bringing the total to 117.

On August 2, the Hrodna Kastryčnicki District Court found activist Katsiaryna Tumanava guilty under Part 1 of Articles 342 and 364 of the Criminal Code and sentenced her in absentia to two and a half years of imprisonment. 

A previously amnestied political prisoner (Amnesty Act in Honor of the Day of National Unity No. 220-Z of December 7, 2022) was also prosecuted. Thus, on August 14, 2024, the Court of Baranavičy District and Baranavičy City passed a guilty verdict and sentenced Piotr Zinevich to two years and six months of imprisonment for committing a crime under Article 342 of the Criminal Code. He allegedly participated in a protest on the night of August 9-10, 2020. On January 11, 2023, Zinevich was freed from punishment for committing a crime under Article 188 of the Criminal Code (slander) with the cancellation of the criminal record.

As the Mahilioŭ Viasna chapter reported, the Hlusk District Court has sentenced a 15-year-old schoolgirl to two years in a special educational institution for allegedly "intentionally insulting a policeman by making a video clip of an offensive nature, which was posted on the Internet, i.e. a crime under Article 369 of the Criminal Code."

As previously noted by the Viasna human rights activists, special closed educational institutions are places of deprivation of liberty. However, the process of depriving individuals of their liberty in these facilities does not meet the standards of due process, including the right to legal representation for defendants. This case concerns the arbitrary and politically motivated persecution of a minor.

Administrative prosecution

In August, Viasna was informed of no fewer than 152 instances of politically motivated repression resulting from criminal and administrative prosecution. Of these cases, 81 administrative cases were considered by courts. In 90% of cases, Article 19.11 of the Administrative Violations Code was invoked for the distribution of information materials deemed extremist by the authorities. Additionally, several cases were adjudicated under Article 24.23 of the Administrative Violations Code for "unauthorized picketing" and Article 24.15 for the use of "foreign gratuitous aid," which refers to material support for victims of political repression.

Please note that the results of administrative prosecutions and the number of detentions related to criminal and administrative prosecutions are frequently not communicated to human rights defenders or are delayed due to the prevailing atmosphere of fear and the threat of further reprisals. The data cannot be evaluated as an indicator of changes in the level of repression, particularly over short periods and without consideration of the evolving circumstances surrounding the collection of information.

Harassment of journalists and media workers

As of August 31, 35 journalists and media professionals have been incarcerated.

On August 19, the Hrodna Regional Court found journalist and human rights activist Uladzimir Khilmanovich guilty in absentia of "other assistance to extremist activities" (Part 1 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code), "repeated assistance to extremist activities", and "joining an extremist group with the intention of committing an extremist crime" (Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code).

For the totality of the crimes committed, the court has decided to cumulatively sentence Khilmanovich to five years of imprisonment and a fine of $12,250. The arbitrary prosecution was a direct result of Khilmanovich's human rights and journalistic activities.

On August 16, the decision was made to grant clemency to some political prisoners. On August 20, journalist Kseniya Lutskina, who had been sentenced to eight years in prison on arbitrary charges of conspiracy to seize power by unconstitutional means, was released by pardon.

The website of the regional independent media Orsha.eu has been recognized as an extremist formation. The founder of the outlet, human rights defender Ihar Kazmerchak, is under criminal investigation.

Violation of rights and freedoms under the pretext of combating extremism and terrorism

Legislation designed to combat extremism and terrorism is being employed by the Lukashenka regime as a means of politically motivated persecution of political opponents and dissidents, to impede their ability to exercise their civil and political rights.

In August, seven new items were added to the list of extremist formations. In a decision by the KGB, the Association of Political Prisoners of Belarus has been designated as an extremist formation.

In a decision dated August 15, the Ministry of Internal Affairs added the Polish non-governmental foundation Wolność i Demokracja (Freedom and Democracy) to the list of entities subject to restrictions. The foundation advocates for human rights, civil liberties, and freedom of speech in Belarus and other post-Soviet countries. An important area of the Foundation's activities is supporting Polish organizations in the post-Soviet space, mainly in Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania, but also in other countries around the world. The persecution of a foreign organization represents yet another episode of the anti-Polish policy of the Aliaksandr Lukashenka regime. Before that, the authorities took action to suppress and eradicate Polish national minority organizations, incarcerating their leaders and demolishing the graves of Armia Krajowa soldiers.

In August, the Russian Orthodox Church – Tsarist Empire, a religious community of Russian origin, was designated as an extremist formation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Ministry cited the group's "gross distortion" of Orthodox Church doctrines and practices, its opposition to other religious organizations and society at large, and its promotion of discord among Belarusian citizens. It is important to note that these allegations cannot, in and of themselves, serve as grounds for restricting freedom of conscience. The freedom to manifest religion or belief is subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, and morals, as well as the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. It is not reasonable to prosecute individuals for engaging in religious activities. Such actions are an infringement on an individual's right to freedom of conscience.

In August, 92 individuals were added to the List of Citizens of the Republic of Belarus, Foreign Nationals, and Stateless Persons Engaged in Extremist Activities. The oldest individual on the list is over 75 years old, while the youngest were convicted of participating in street protests and subsequently included on the List as minors.

In accordance with 112 court decisions, the Republican List of Extremist Materials has been updated to include Telegram, YouTube and TikTok channels, social media pages, and other sources and media identified as extremist.

In particular, several books by historian and political prisoner Ihar Melnikau are declared extremist materials. Melnikau is charged with promoting extremist activity under Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code.

Those engaging in activities that have been arbitrarily labeled as extremist are subject to criminal prosecution and arbitrary imprisonment.

For example, a Belarusian woman was extorted for a huge ransom under threat of prosecution for making several donations to protest initiatives. Before the disbursement of the "compensation," which amounted to a significant multiple of the donations (up to several thousand euros), the woman was held in a detention center under conditions that were akin to torture.

On July 25, Brest Regional Court handed down a two-year prison sentence to 63-year-old table tennis coach Yury Lahadziuk, according to a report from the Viasna Brest chapter. He was found guilty under Part 1 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code for "promoting extremist activity". The gravamen remained unknown to human rights activists. The sentence was handed down by Judge Andrei Siz.

On August 19, the Hrodna Regional Court commenced proceedings in the criminal case against 68-year-old Brest resident Natallia Zhyhar. She is charged under Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code (promoting extremist activity). The case is being considered by Judge Valer Ramanouski.

The Brest chapter of Viasna reports that the case is connected to the support of individuals detained in remand centers on political grounds.

Iryna Pahadayeva and Natallia Malets were imprisoned under the same article in the last few months.

Source: Human Rights Center "Viasna" 

The People's Embassy of Belarus in Sweden has released a new document designed to assist Belarusian asylum seekers and their legal representatives in challenging common claims made by the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) that lead to asylum rejections.

This document meticulously analyzes the typical claims made in rejection decisions and offers well-supported counterarguments, drawing on reports from international organizations as well as the Migration Agency’s own documents. The goal is to provide a robust tool that helps strengthen asylum cases by addressing these points proactively.

The document currently covers four key claims frequently used by Migrationsverket:

Migration Agency Claim:

1. If an individual was able to legally leave Belarus, it suggests they are not at risk. 

Counterargument: The document clarifies that the Belarusian regime often uses forced exile as a form of punishment. The ability to leave the country does not guarantee safety upon return, as many face severe risks if they go back.

2. "Limited dissemination" of critical posts on social media supposedly reduces the risk of persecution.

Counterargument: The document highlights the reality of digital totalitarianism in Belarus, where even minimal online dissent can attract severe reprisals, contrary to the belief that limited exposure lessens danger.

3. Individuals who were not prominent opposition figures are not at risk. 

Counterargument: The document demonstrates that the Belarusian regime’s surveillance and repression extend far beyond prominent figures, targeting a wide range of perceived dissidents, including those with minimal public profiles.

4. Delayed asylum applications indicate a lack of urgency or need for protection. 

Counterargument: This document is intended to be a "living" resource, continuously updated with new information and insights from human rights organizations and legal experts representing Belarusian asylum seekers.

We believe that this document can also be a valuable resource for the Swedish Migration Agency as it reviews Belarusian asylum cases. We would like to emphasize the urgent need to halt deportations of Belarusian nationals whose cases have been decided, while this review is ongoing. Allowing these deportations to proceed would be inconsistent and could expose individuals to significant danger.

The document is available here: [Link to Document] 

Source: People's Embassies of Belarus

In Belarus, Ales Bialiatski, the chairman of the human rights centre "Viasna" and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize 2022, has been sitting innocently in prison since 14 July 2021. Ales Bialiatski is one of more than 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus. They are all imprisoned solely for exercising their human rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association.

We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Ales Bialiatski and all other political prisoners by the Belarusian regime. We call on all authorities of the Republic of Belarus to immediately end the intimidation, persecution and imprisonment of peaceful demonstrators, opposition activists, human rights activists, students and media representatives.

The imprisonment of political prisoners and the persecution of political dissidents are serious violations of human rights, which Belarus, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has undertaken to respect. We would like to remind the diplomatic representatives of the Republic of Belarus of their country's international obligations and call on the Belarusian authorities to grant the fundamental human rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association to all people in Belarus without restrictions.

Why is this important?

Ales Bialiatski was arrested on 14 July 2021 and is only one of many political prisoners in Belarus who are innocently in prison because they are committed to freedom, democracy and human rights. In 1996, Bialiatski founded the Belarusian human rights centre Viasna, which today can only operate from exile. In 2022, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize together with the Russian NGO Memorial and the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision to award Ales Bialiatski the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize is an important sign of solidarity with all political prisoners in Belarus, whose fate we must not forget.

Since Belarus' presidential election in August 2020, which according to the OSCE was rigged, people have been arbitrarily detained and unlawfully sentenced every day in the EU's neighbouring country. In 2020 and 2021, more than 40,000 politically motivated arrests were counted and more than 1,800 cases of state torture were documented.

There are currently over 1,400 people in political detention, including 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. Violence, arbitrariness, torture and repression against citizens, human rights organisations and independent journalists are commonplace.

How will the signatures be handed over?
A handover to a Belarusian embassy is planned.

At the moment, more than 82 thousand people have signed the petition.  Every signature, every voice is very important!

You can sign the petition via the link: [link to petition]

In a recent meeting, Pavel Latushka, deputy head of the Unified Transitional Cabinet, and Marko Stuchyn, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, discussed ongoing international efforts to isolate the regime of Alexander Lukashenka. Slovenia expressed its continued support for expanding sanctions against the Lukashenka regime, aligning them closely with measures against the Russian Federation due to its aggression against Ukraine.

During their talks, Latushka highlighted the importance of enhancing sanctions while avoiding measures that could adversely affect ordinary Belarusians. He pointed out that while increasing pressure is crucial, it is equally vital to ensure that the Belarusian public does not suffer from these international policies.

Slovenia has committed to providing expert legal consultations to the Unified Transitional Cabinet and the People’s Anti-Crisis Administration, specifically in matters related to holding Lukashenka accountable at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. Preliminary agreements were made to hold consultations in Ljubljana soon.

Due to the absence of a Slovenian diplomatic mission in Belarus, the issuance of visas for Belarusian citizens planning to travel to Slovenia was also discussed. Stuchyn promised to convey the request for visa facilitation to the consular department of Slovenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, possibly involving a third EU member state in the process.

Furthermore, Stuchyn informed that Slovenia is prepared to issue transit documents for Belarusian citizens residing in Slovenia who are facing issues with their identification documents, including expired passports. The Belarusian People’s Embassy in Slovenia is actively involved in this matter, with precedents already set for such document issuance.

The meeting also touched upon issues related to opening bank accounts for Belarusian citizens in Slovenian commercial banks, aiming to ease financial transactions for those affected by the ongoing crisis.

This collaboration marks a significant step in supporting Belarusian citizens amid their country's political turmoil, ensuring they receive necessary legal and logistical support while abroad. 

Source: The United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus 

In recent days, after two Belarusian citizens were deported from Sweden, with one of them arrested right at the border, there have been significant discussions about the asylum situation for Belarusians in Sweden. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, shares what Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office has done in response to the situation.

📎 Consultations are ongoing with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Migration, the Lithuanian Embassy in Sweden, the Lithuanian government, and human rights defenders. Thanks to Dmitri Vasserman and the People’s Embassy in Sweden, we have managed to raise the issue to a high level.

📎 In recent months, the cooperation between the Office with the Swedish side has led to a reassessment of the situation in the country. Belarus is no longer considered a safe country for return. It is now crucial that the Migration Agency acts according to the new guidelines, as it makes decisions independently of the government. The Ministry of Migration has committed to facilitating and cooperating on this matter.

📎 The Office has proposed a moratorium on the deportation of our citizens to Belarus. The Migration Agency has pledged to review recent decisions on Belarusians within months, and we are negotiating to suspend deportations until the reviews are completed.

📎 Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’ Office is now developing guidelines and advice for Belarusians to help prevent similar situations.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, sent a letter to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, confirming that she is well aware of the case involving Belarusian movie director, activist, and journalist Andrei Hniot.

“The European Commission is in direct contact with the Serbian side. More specifically, the EU Delegation in Belgrade attended the court hearing and immediately contacted the authorities after the decision of the Higher Court. We have communicated our position on Mr. Hniot’s case to the country’s leadership and outlined our expectations. Andrei Hniot’s case must be handled in accordance with international human rights laws and EU standards”, noted Ursula von der Leyen.

The European Commission President also emphasized that EU countries have repeatedly conveyed the following to the Serbian authorities:

🔴 The arrest warrant for Mr. Hniot is politically motivated;

🔴 If extradited to Belarus, he would face persecution.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office works daily at the political level on the extradition issues faced by Belarusians in more than 15 countries. Regarding Andrei Hniet’s case, the Office is in constant communication with Belarusian and international human rights defenders, the foreign ministries of several European countries, representatives of EU bodies, the US, the UN, and Serbia. The Office also maintains regular contact with Andrei himself. Thanks to this cooperation between democratic forces and the international community, Interpol canceled its red notice for Andrei Hniot in July.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Mikalai (the name was changed for security reasons) spent almost two years in prison. In June, the man was released from Viciebsk colony № 3 on the expiration of his sentence. To avoid being put behind bars again, the former political prisoner was forced to leave Belarus. Mikalai told Viasna how prisoners are deprived of the right to medical care and forced to do hard labor, about denunciations of the Belarusian language, beatings of prisoners, as well as severe restrictions on political activity. 

"The sentence has not yet come into effect and they have already taken me to the penal colony"

The man was accused of participating in the post-election protests in Minsk and sentenced to imprisonment. Immediately after the trial and even before the appeal was considered, he was transferred to Viciebsk penal colony № 3. At that time his sentence had not yet become final.

"When someone is going to be transferred, they give you time to pack. But they just grabbed me in a few minutes and told me to pack my things quickly. And they took me to the penal colony. I was only in quarantine for an hour, I didn't even know where I was. I did not understand what was going on and I thought it was illegal. The sentence has not yet come into effect and they have already taken me to the penal colony.

And they did not understand what to do with me there because I had not yet been sentenced. So they put me in solitary confinement. The hardest thing when you sit like that is not knowing how long you have to sit and where you are. I ended up in solitary confinement for two months."

"Immediately they do everything to break a person"

After the appeal was heard, Mikalai was transferred to quarantine.

"You go to quarantine and immediately they do everything to break a person. Penal colony No. 3 is a "red" colony. Not "black," where thieves rule, but red. There are also many policemen there. Everyone is under the administration's leadership."

According to Mikalai, prisoners who come to the colony are forced to sign papers stating that the person agrees to do whatever the administration says.

"I don't understand why they don't shoot you"

"There is no medical care in the colony. There's analgin if it's a critical situation. 

And all the things that people say about their teeth are true. They don't want to provide dental care. If you get sick in the penal colony, there's nothing you can do, and no one will help you."

In addition, the former political prisoner said that there are two men in Viciebsk colony who were sentenced for making political statements, who have serious mental illnesses and therefore require special examination.

"A psychologist works in the colony. One day, the command went to the industrial zone and asked the psychologist why ordinary prisoners could be removed from the "suicidal" profile, but not political prisoners. And he said: "I don't understand why they don't shoot you."

"Three people seem to have died in just one day"

On May 7, 2023, Mikalai Klimovich, a 61-year-old political prisoner, blogger and social activist from Pinsk, died in Viciebsk Colony № 3. The man had a group II disability due to a disease of the heart system, suffered a stroke and complicated heart surgery. Nevertheless, the Pinsk court sentenced him to imprisonment. Mikalai spent a little more than two months in prison.

Mikalai was also in that colony. Viasna asked him if he knew about the death of a political prisoner.

"I heard about Klimovich's death. I suppose he did not survive the transfer. After all, there is a special attitude to political prisoners there. If a booth is for four people, and they push 20 people in there, it really is true. So if a person has a weak heart, he might not be able to stand it. And then the quarantine is very stressful. I think three people died there in one day."

"Many people are beaten in the colony"

Viasna often records facts about the use of physical violence against political prisoners. Most often, beatings and torture are used during arrest, but some continue to be abused in detention centers. Mikalai says that this also happens in the Viciebsk colony.

"Many people are beaten in the colony, not only political prisoners. If the staff doesn't like something, or if you give the wrong answer, they can certainly beat you. For example, those who are in the SHIZO. What difference does it make if even a lawyer is not allowed to visit them? So no one will know that you are sitting there beaten."

"We raise our hands and they count how many extremists and terrorists there are"

There is a special attitude to political prisoners in the colony, even sports were not allowed.

Once Mikalai refused to perform at a concert in a club in the colony, for which he was deprived of a Skype call. Political prisoners in general could not call their relatives for months, while every week is allowed.

"In addition, we raise our hands and they count how many extremists and terrorists there are. Murderers and drug addicts walk around with white tags, but we walk around with yellow tags. For every 40 people, there were 10 of us in the front - extremists.

People are in prison for nothing. You write "cockroach" and you get eight years. And there are murderers who get seven years for killing a man. I feel sorry for these people. Everyone is there: writers, poets, artists, IT specialists, former employees. There is someone interesting to talk to. Dzmitry Yurtayeu was imprisoned with us, and his books were in the library.

It is said that there are no friends in prison. That's not true. We were all friends."

"Are you crazy to speak Belarusian here?"

The administration does not approve of the Belarusian language in the colony. According to Mikalai, one of the employees tore up pictures and texts written in Belarusian.

"He said to me: "Are you crazy to speak Belarusian here?" There are people in the colony who make reports, so-called snitches, they tell the administration what these extremists are doing. And they can come and go through your bag looking for violations. And even with the first offense, they can send you to SHIZO (a punishment cell). And if there are three serious violations, they can add two more years to your sentence (under Article 411 of the Criminal Code). 

And this is not just because you speak Belarusian there. It's just a tense situation there because of the terrible conditions and the fact that there's little space and it's the same thing every day."

"It's so cold that you can die"

Mikalai says the conditions in the prisoners' cell-type facility (PKT) are terrible.

"No sunlight enters the cell. In winter it is very cold because the window is open. It is so cold that you can die. 

There are no mattresses in the SHIZO cells. Some sleep on an iron bed, others sleep on a wooden board.

They used to take me down these corridors to beat me up. All in all, there are single cells, and there are cells for four and six people."

"You just get poisoned by the USSR and that war"

"In the colonies there is very hard work that political prisoners are forced to do. Political prisoners do only hard work, they are not given light work. For example, we carry logs, boards. Some of them dismantle metal, and it gets so bad that their skin peels off. We also made some boxes, but we don't know what they are for. We made some uniforms for the Russian army. But I don't know exactly where they went.

There's also this cultural and correctional work all the time. They do propaganda there. All the time "war", "Soviet times", posters with "sickle and hammer" everywhere. You just get poisoned by the USSR and that war".

Political prisoners are forced to work even when they are ill. Mikalai remembers one time when he had a fever and was not allowed to see a doctor and was forced to go to work.

What saved in detention

"The administration, with its conditions, can make a tougher regime. It's hard. You wake up every day at six o'clock and the same thing starts. The only thing that saves you is books and trying to do sports. But it is important to eat well, and they make a salad out of the packages - they cut everything up and mix it. And when the package comes, it's a very hard day, because you have to lay everything out and sign it. And at that moment there can be some important things in the prison that you can't miss. And without packages, you can't survive on this food."

Source: Human Rights Center "Viasna" 

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s address on Belarus’ Independence Day:

“Dear Belarusians!

Belarus became an independent state on this day 33 years ago. What many generations of Belarusians had dreamed of finally became a reality. Our country returned to the map of Europe. We regained our state, our coat of arms, and our flag, and later adopted our own Constitution.

In Belarus’ history, the events of March 25, 1918, when the Belarusian Democratic Republic (BNR) proclaimed its independence, July 27, 1990, when the Declaration of State Sovereignty was adopted, and August 25, 1991, when the Declaration gained the status of constitutional law, all stand as milestones in Belarusians’ struggle for the right to have our own state.

Some people say that independence ‘fell out of a clear blue sky’. This is not true. Belarus’ independence became possible thanks to the struggle and work of generations of Belarusian patriots: the founding fathers of the BNR and the participants of the Slutsk Uprising; the Belarusian underground resistance; youth associations and the intelligentsia; the diaspora, which defended the interests of Belarusians across the world during the years of Soviet occupation; tens of thousands of Belarusians who, despite fear and propaganda, took to the central squares in Minsk and other cities and towns; and, of course, the brave opposition members of the Supreme Soviet who enshrined Belarus’ independence in foundational laws.

Our country’s entire history is actually about fighting for freedom. We rose every time they tried to enslave us. We waged partisan battles every time the army lacked soldiers. We transitioned to quiet protests and did not let the freedom-loving Belarusian heart stop beating every time it seemed all was lost.

Belarusians possess qualities that have always helped us endure dark times, like patience and diligence, tolerance and peace-loving nature, a sense of justice, and a love for our land. And I believe these qualities and our solidarity will allow us to reclaim our home, free people from prisons, and defend the independence of our country like they did before. As 2020 showed, we Belarusians know how to make ourselves known and surprise the world.

Let us all continue the fight. Do not let dictators make you lose faith or doubt the chosen path. Spread information among your neighbors, friends, and family. Speak Belarusian. Show solidarity. Help those in need, especially our political prisoners, the repressed, and volunteer fighters. Let these be small steps that you take daily. “Through storms and obstacles, we march towards our goal. And we will reach it, as long as it is still there”, said Ales Bialiatski, our wise and unbreakable Nobel laureate.

And I would like to address those who work within the system, in the state apparatus and the army. I know there are many decent people among you. Regardless of your views, positions, and duties, remember. Independence is the highest value and the greatest achievement of our people. Do not allow the regime to destroy what we achieved on August 25, 1991, sell our country to Russia, and drag our nation into war. You must serve the Belarusian people, not a criminal dictator who is willing to sacrifice the country’s independence to maintain his power.

In conclusion, I want to once again congratulate all Belarusians on August 25 – the Day of Restoration of Independence. But I am confident there will be another date – the day when the Belarusian people finally cast off the burden of dictatorship for good and, as Yakub Kolas wrote, emerge ‘into the open space, onto the broad expanse’ to rebuild our country for ourselves and future generations.

Long Live Belarus!”

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Constitutional Reform, Anatoli Liabedzka, explained in an interview with Navy Chas why the regime is rushing to conduct the “special operation” called a “presidential election”. He also spoke on how the democratic forces view this “campaign”.

📌 “The authorities tend to hold major events like elections in winter when people are more tied to their homes and workplaces. It’s easier to control them then”.

📌 “Whether it’s February 23 or April 1 – it doesn’t matter. What matters is that both the candidates and the outcome are predetermined”.

📌 “There are three groups of people. The first refuses to participate in the campaign because of election fraud. The second supports active actions. The third group includes people who might want to abstain but are dependent on the government through work or dormitories. All these people support free elections because they took to the streets in 2020. This is why we should prioritize fair elections. We need to work with both our supporters and those who are unsure”.

📌 “Politicians representing different groups need to agree not to engage in confrontation. If we waste time criticizing each other’s positions, we’ll lose the chance to engage with the broader society, including those who are hesitant. We won’t be able to explain that free and fair elections are not just about the right to vote but also about the economy, welfare, and salaries…”

📌 “There will be a battle inside the country. Lukashenka will try hard to create the impression that what happened in 2020 was something debatable but five years have passed, the page is turned, and people have supposedly come to their senses and, like sheep with their heads down, have returned to the shepherd”.

📌 “We need to find a compromise to offer something to Belarusians within Belarus. It must first and foremost be safe for people, and we must prioritize struggling for a free election rather than convincing each other of who’s right or wrong”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Why sanctions against the regime require a new approach, why it’s important to support Belarusians, why Belsat TV must be preserved, and what consequences the West might face if it excludes Belarus from the agenda – Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed all this in an interview with the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita.

📌 “Democratic countries must remember that aid for Belarus is not some kind of charity. It’s an investment in European security because Belarus has strategic importance. Let’s hope they haven’t missed the timing for this investment”.

📌 “People inside Belarus are not giving up. All the information about how the regime circumvents sanctions, its financial schemes, and details about nuclear weapons – we receive this from the regime insiders. They are our supporters”.

📌 “Sanctions must affect the regime’s trade, not ordinary people. The dictator doesn’t deserve such gifts. Discrimination against Belarusians only fuels Lukashenka’s propaganda. He will claim that the West doesn’t want our people and they are not welcome there”.

📌 “We must continue to fight. We have no moral right to say, ‘Sorry, it didn’t work out’. Neither do our partners. How will Western politicians look each other in the eye after abandoning the fight against Lukashenka?”

📌 “We’re not only focusing on building institutions in exile. We had to make sure that Belarusians both in exile and in the country receive appropriate support. Now there are many initiatives, each one focusing on specific problems”.

📌 “Belsat is a unique project. It’s the only Belarusian-language channel, an outstanding project launched by Poland. We are fighting against the massive propaganda machines of Lukashenka and Putin. We need to strengthen this fight, not weaken it. I am trying to explain this to our partners”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

For more than four years law enforcement agencies in Belarus have been carrying out mass repressions. Almost every week the number of political prisoners in the country increases, and every day human rights activists receive information about detainees' terrible conditions, pressure from the prison administration, and the worsening health of political prisoners in custody. Viasna reports the latest news about political prisoners.

48 people were recognized as political prisoners over the past week. At the moment there are 1,385 people on the list of political prisoners. In addition, human rights activists learned that 42 political prisoners had served their sentences and were released, including Vadzim Yermashuk, Dzianis Pishchala, Ruslan Akostka, Mikalai Kazlou and Bahdan Karavets.

Human rights activists also learned about the sentences of eight political prisoners in politically motivated cases:

• Siarhei Dziatsuk - another year in penal colony;

• Siarhei Yafimau - another year in penal colony;

• Andrei Kudzik - four years in prison;

• Natallia Levaya - six years in penal colony;

• Pavel Belaholau was sentenced to three years and four months in penal colony;

• Ales Sabaleuski - four years in penal colony;

• Yauhen Hlushkou - three years in penal colony;

• Natallia Malets - three and a half years in penal colony.

Military analyst Yahor Lebiadok was placed in SHIZO for 10 days

Judge Alena Misnik sentenced the political prisoner to five years’ imprisonment in a medium-security penal colony under Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code (promotion of extremist activity).

According to the case materials, Lebiadok "in order to support the activities of a public destructive channel, the information products of which were recognized by the court as extremist materials, gave an interview to a representative of the channel on the topic of the special military operation of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine and the role of Belarus in it".

Yahor is serving his sentence in Ivacevičy penal colony. According to MAYDAY TEAM, the political prisoner recently served at least 10 days in a punishment cell (SHIZO).

Political prisoner Viachaslau Maleichuk is tried for the third time for "malicious disobedience to the colony administration"

On February 10, 2023, Viachaslau, who was earlier sentenced to 23 years in prison, was also found guilty under Article 411 of the Criminal Code. Judge Mikalai Siarheika added him a year in penal colony. After the verdict Maleichuk was sent to penal colony No. 9 in Horki. A few months later he was prosecuted for the second consecutive criminal case under Part 2 of Article 411 of the Criminal Code.

His next trial took place on August 23 last year. Viachaslau did not admit his guilt. Judge Alena Verabyova added two more years of imprisonment to 23 years of colony.

On August 7, the third trial over the political prisoner for "disobedience to the administration" started in Mozyr District Court. Judge Anatol Strelchanka is considering the case. He can add two more years of imprisonment.

Political prisoner Andrzej Poczobut is still in a punishment cell (PKT)

The Hrodna journalist has been behind bars for 40 months. On February 8, 2023, he was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. Now he is serving his sentence in Navapolack colony No. 1, where he is constantly put under pressure.

During the action of solidarity with political prisoners in Bialystok, Marek Zaniewski, vice-chairman of the Union of Poles in Belarus, said that Poczobut was still kept in PKT:

"Unfortunately, there is no information about Andrzej. He continues to be in Navapolack, sitting in isolation and nothing is happening. All this information that has been playing for the last months, some people said that he was released, some people said that he was taken to the border.

Of course, none of this is true, it's all fake. We are very disappointed that such situations are happening. The situation with Andrzej remains very difficult and today we do not see it improving".

Political prisoner Viachaslau Sheliamet will be transferred to a prison security level 

Viachaslau, 23, has been in custody for almost four years. He was arrested on August 20, 2020 for participating in a protest in Pinsk on the night of August 9-10.

On April 30, 2021, in a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code, the Maskouski District Court of Brest rendered a verdict against 14 Pinsk political prisoners accused of "participation in mass riots". Viachaslau was sentenced to five and a half years in a medium-security penal colony.

He was sent to Viciebsk penal colony No. 3 to serve his sentence. According to "Brestskaya Viasna", on July 31 in Viciebsk there was a trial on Viachaslau's transfer to a prison security level. The decision was made by Judge Mikhail Zubenia.

Political prisoner Yury Ziankovich is being tried in a new criminal case

Yury is a lawyer who was convicted in the "conspirators' case". He was charged under a number of criminal articles and sentenced to 11 years in a medium-security penal colony.

On December 27, 2022, the court considered a new case against Yury on "insulting a government official" (Article 369 of the Criminal Code). According to preliminary information, Ziankovich was given additional six months.

At first, Yury served his sentence in Babruisk colony No. 2, where he was put under pressure. The political prisoner spent eight days in the punishment cell and went on hunger strike. Later, his punishment was increased and he was transferred to Mahilioŭ prison.

On August 7, the political prisoner was tried in Leninski District Court of Mahilioŭ for "malicious disobedience to the prison administration" under Part 2 of Article 411 of the Criminal Code. The case is being considered by Judge Viktoryia Paliakova.

Anarchist political prisoner Mikalai Dziadok has been held in a punishment cell for almost two months

In June Mikalai and many other political prisoners of Hrodna Prison No. 1 were sent to a punishment cell (SHIZO). Mikalai is still there. Besides, the political prisoner has been kept in solitary confinement for more than a year.

Mikalai was detained on November 11, 2020, and he was severely beaten and tortured. He was sentenced to five years in prison. All the time in detention he is under pressure.

Ihar Alinevich was transferred from the hospital in Kaliadzičy back to Žodzina prison

This is reported by the Telegram channel "Right to Revolt". At the end of June, Ihar was placed in the hospital in Kaliadzičy. The reason was unknown.

Ihar is an activist of the anarchist movement who was detained while crossing the border of Belarus on the night of October 28-29, 2020. He was charged under a number of criminal articles. As a result, Ihar was sentenced to 20 years in a high security prison.

Later he was transferred to Žodzina prison.

Activist Yauhen Afnahel was transferred to Mahilioŭ prison

The activist of "European Belarus", who was sentenced to seven years in prison, has been kept behind bars for three years and 10 months. In May, after two years in prison, the political prisoner was again transferred to Navapolack penal colony, where he had previously served his sentence.

Immediately upon his arrival at the institution the administration placed him in the SHIZO for 45 days, and then transferred him to a punishment cell (PKT). On July 29 , another trial was held in Navapolack to change Yauhen's prison security level. Judge Vital Lapko decided to transfer the political prisoner to prison until the end of his term. Yauhen was already transferred to Mahilioŭ.

Political prisoner Yauhen Kladou was not released after serving his first term and he will be tried again

The Baranavičy resident was arrested for 13 days in August 2023 and his phone was seized. But after that Yauhen was not released - in November 2023, a criminal trial was held. He was sentenced a year in jail for liking caricatures of Lukashenka on the internet.

Now it became known that a criminal case was opened against Kladou under new articles: "mass riots" (Article 293 of the Criminal Code), "incitement to hatred" (Article 130 of the Criminal Code) and "calls for actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus" (Article 361 of the Criminal Code). The resident of Baranavičy could face up to 12 years in penal colony, Yauhen was recently added to the list of "terrorists".

Political prisoner Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis

The political prisoner was supposed to be released on May 21 this year. But two days before her release she was transferred to Homieĺ Pre-trial detention center No. 3 as part of another criminal case under Article 411 of the Criminal Code (malicious disobedience to the demands of the administration of the penitentiary). Recently, Palina's relatives received an official response from the administration of the women's colony No. 24, stating that the woman was diagnosed with "chronic pancreatitis of medium severity". The husband of the political prisoner Andrei Sharenda told "Radio Svaboda" about it.

"We didn't know that she had pancreatitis, but there were reports that Palina had stomach aches and sudden weight loss. Once she lost so much weight that she weighed only 50 kilograms. However, all requests to the penal colony were officially answered that Palina was healthy and was allegedly receiving the necessary assistance.

Political prisoner Uladzimir Hundar was deprived of another short-term visit

Radio Racyja reported about it:

"He's already had some kind of offense that got him deprived of a short-term visit, which isn't due until September, but he's already been deprived. He himself doesn't know what for. They didn't even explain anything, they just said that he was deprived and that's all. And he doesn't even know for how long.

The defendant in the "Autukhovich case" was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for several criminal cases. Upon arrival at the colony, he was placed in a punitive isolation cell several times. In early October 2023, it became known that Hundar's punishment was increased and he was transferred to a prison security level.

In Baranavičy, a former political prisoner, who had been released under amnesty, is on trial for "participation in protests"

On August 12, the trial of three local residents under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code started in Baranavičy District Court. Aliaksandr Tarasovich, Dzmitry Blashenitsa and Piotr Zinevich are accused of participation in the protests that took place four years ago. Their case is being considered by Aksana Litvinchyk.

Piotr Zinevich is a former political prisoner who was sentenced to two years of "khimiya" in 2021 for publishing a photo of a police officer with the inscription, which was considered as "slander".

On January 11, 2023, Piotr was released under the Amnesty Law. At the end of April 2024 Piotr was detained again together with several residents of Baranavičy. Now the man is kept in the pre-trial detention center.

Another former political prisoner from Baranavičy will be tried again

Vital Korshun is 37 years old. He was born in Baranavičy. He was tried for the first time in September 2021. A year before that, he left a comment about looking for the address of a riot police officer. According to the version of the riot policeman himself, Siarhei Balabanovich, after this post he was very scared, although Korshun quickly deleted it. As a result, the entrepreneur was sentenced to two months' imprisonment.

The next time Vital was detained in January 2024.

Korshun's trial will start on August 13 in Brest Regional Court. He is accused under five political articles: "slander against Lukashenka" (Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code), "participation in actions that grossly violate public order" (Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code), "organization of mass riots" (Part 1 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code), "calls for sanctions" (Part 3 of Article 361) and "incitement to hatred" (Part 1 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code). The political prisoner faces up to 12 years in penal colony. He will be tried by Sviatlana Kremenieuskaya.

Political prisoners are massively forced to write petitions for pardon

According to Viasna human rights activists, representatives of the Minsk Prosecutor's Office come to Navapolack penal colony No. 1 every day, forcing political prisoners to write petitions for pardon. But this applies only to those sentenced to short terms.

It is also known that in some penal colonies political prisoners are placed in punishment cells for refusing to write a petition, and some are threatened with a new criminal case under Article 411 of the Criminal Code (malicious disobedience to the requirements of the administration of the penitentiary institution).

In addition, human rights activists receive evidence that Yury Vaskrasenski has become active in recent weeks - he calls relatives of political prisoners and tells them about the conditions and circumstances of pardon, agitating for their relatives behind bars to write a petition to Lukashenka.

According to Viasna, on July 3, 18 political prisoners were released on amnesty or pardon. Among them there were four women and 14 men, including Ryhor Kastusiou, a cancer patient.

Source: Human Rights Center "Viasna" 

“Voice Across Borders: Belarus Global Awareness” is an ambitious initiative designed to confront and illuminate the severe political and human rights crisis engulfing Belarus. 

Following the 2020 election, Belarus has found itself at a critical crossroads, with increasing political oppression, threats to its cultural identity, and erosion of sovereignty due to external pressures. This project aims to counter these challenges by elevating global awareness and fostering a unified international response.

What are we doing?

We are launching a solidarity relay that will involve different countries and diasporas and will end in December 2024. The relay will include exhibitions, concerts, discussions and webinars, talking about Belarus, our culture and the challenges we face. We are also raising funds to help Belarusians affected by the regime, including vulnerable groups like the elderly, disabled, and children of political prisoners.

Why is this important?

On average, relatives spend €2000 per year per political prisoner. Rehabilitation of a released person could cost anything from €6000 in Europe and from €2000 in Belarus. Today there are about 1500 recognised political prisoners in Belarusian prisons, and the same number of people have recently been released. And there are also thousands of people who have suffered for their position and need help. 

Our goal is to raise €500,000 which would go to help those who found themselves in need due to a barbaric treatment of the dictatorship regime.

How can you help?

Your donation can change someone's life. 

For example:
€10 can purchase essential medications for one person of a political prisoner with nece
€15 can provide a child of a political prisoner with necessary stationery
€20 can provide a family of a political prisoner with grocery supplies for a few days.
€50 can provide warm clothes for a political refugee in need

This is an ambitious project and we hope to make it a success to establish it as a regular annual initiative in solidarity with Belarus

Our project is led by a dedicated team of representatives of Belarusian initiatives and solidarity funds, including the People's Embassies of Belarus and the following foundations -  the Country to Live in, BYSOL, ByHelp and Dissidentby. Our experience and commitment ensures that every donation is used effectively to support our mission.

Please join us on our journey, learn more about project’s events, and rejoice in our successes:

Facebook: Voices Across Borders
Instagram: voices_acrossborders

Thank you for your support and solidarity! 

Sincerely,
The “Voices Across Borders” Team.

Source: BYSOL

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya had declared August 9, 2024, as the Day of Solidarity with Belarus, marking the fourth anniversary of the presidential election rigged by the dictator and the beginning of the Belarusian people’s struggle for a free country.

Yesterday, representatives from Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, the USA, the UK, Ukraine, Germany, Canada, Ireland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Austria, Iceland, Italy, France, Georgia, Australia, as well as the President of the European Parliament and MPs from various countries, and officials of the European Commission made statements in support of democratic Belarus.

Here are some of the statements by international leaders, politicians, and diplomats released on the Day of Solidarity with Belarus:

President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda:

“Four years since the start of Lukashenka’s repression campaign against Belarusian people who stood up for freedom and democracy. Lithuania is home to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and many Belarusians who fled the persecution. We believe in the democratic future of Belarus. Freedom spirit always prevails!”

Joint statement from the US, Canada, the UK, and the EU:
“Four years on from the fraudulent 2020 presidential election and the appalling human rights crackdown in Belarus, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union stand in solidarity with the people of Belarus who, in spite of continued repression by the Lukashenko regime, have peacefully and courageously pressed for democratic change, respect for human rights, and the release of all political prisoners.  We affirm that the sanctions we have recently announced represent a coordinated, multilateral effort to advance accountability for the Lukashenka regime”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Tobias Billström:
“It’s been four years since the Lukashenka regime illegally and brutally stole the election in Belarus. But Sweden will stand behind the Belarusian people and its indisputable right to once again have democracy and freedom. Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya is the leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition and we support her”.

Foreign Office of Germany:

“Today marks the fourth anniversary of the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus when hundreds of thousands of brave people took to the streets in support of democracy. We have not forgotten them, just as we have not forgotten Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, whose tireless work continues to give many people in Belarus courage and hope, despite the massive repression. This deeply impresses us”, said [Minister] Baerbock. “We remember all those unlawfully imprisoned, often without the ability to contact their loved ones. The idea of freedom and democracy cannot be imprisoned. We will continue to strive for their release. #StandWithBelarus”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir:

“The regime in Belarus staged a fake election 4 years ago. Lukashenka has no legitimacy. Cheaters don’t get to call themselves winners. Every day brave people like my friend Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya show that there is hope for the people of Belarus”.

White House National Security Communications Advisor, John Kirby:
“Since taking office, President Biden has made it clear: The United States firmly supports the people of Belarus in their pursuit of a democratic future. The US will continue to defend human rights and freedom of expression in Belarus, as well as hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its actions. […] As the President told the leader of the Belarusian opposition: We will continue to support the people of Belarus in their courageous quest for democracy”.

 US Senator, Jeanne Shaheen:

“Today marks four years since fraudulent elections in Belarus kept Putin’s puppet, Lukashenka, in power. The US continues to recognize Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya as the democratically elected leader of Belarus and will remain stalwart in our support for those fighting for freedom in Belarus”.

Caucus “For Democratic Belarus!” in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine:

“The Verkhovna Rada’s caucus “For Democratic Belarus!” consistently advocates for condemning the de-facto occupation of Belarus by Russia and calls on the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to recognize this at the state level. We also appeal to partner countries to support Belarusians who continue to fight against the regime both within Belarus and beyond its borders. Long Live Belarus! Glory to Ukraine!”

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

The New Belarus Conference 2024, organized by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, took place in Vilnius on August 3-4, gathering over 300 representatives of Belarusian civil society organizations and political bodies, politicians, diplomats, experts, activists, and journalists. More than 100 organizations and initiatives were represented. The conference was watched online by over 70,000 users on various platforms.

During the conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet and the Coordination Council addressed numerous issues relevant to Belarusians, including the New Belarus Passport, political prisoner exchange, the strategy for the 2025 election in Belarus, and more.

Key events of the conference included the signing of the Protocol for Cooperation formalizing relations between different bodies of Belarus’ democratic forces and the presentation of Platform 2025 shaping the framework of activities for 2025.

The following declarations were released following the conference: “Unconstitutional Seizure of Power: Why A. Lukashenka Must Be Barred from the 2025 Election”, Declaration on Accountability and Restoring Justice, Declaration on the Foreign Policy Priorities of Democratic Belarus, Draft Declaration on Support for Independent Media, Draft Declaration on the Need for the Release and Support for Political Prisoners, and Draft Declaration on the Youth Policy of the Democratic Forces of Belarus. These documents reflect the key goals and objectives of the democratic forces of Belarus for the near future.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya awarded the Unbowed Medal (Larysa Henijush Medal) to 13 former political prisoners for significant contributions to the Belarusian people’s struggle for human rights and democratic freedoms.

The conference also featured side events that took place on August 2 and 5.

During the New Belarus Conference, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya announced new appointments to the United Transitional Cabinet. She nominated Vadzim Kabanchuk for the Representative for Defense and National Security, Marharyta Vorykhava for the Representative for Youth and Student Affairs, and Ambassador Vladzimir Astapenka for the Representative for International and European Cooperation. The new representatives are to be approved by the Coordination Council.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

“We did not participate in these negotiations and have limited information. Unfortunately, we have no evidence that this exchange could lead to the release of political prisoners in Belarus. Evidently, these were negotiations with Moscow, and Belarus was not involved.

We welcome the release of political prisoners from Russian prisons. Such a prisoner exchange is itself an important precedent that could also help achieve the release of Belarusians. It is clear that an exchange for release assumes that there is someone or something to exchange for. This distinguishes the Belarusian situation from the Russian one.

We utilize every opportunity and tool to get our people out of prisons. We regularly raise this issue with Western partners. Consultations take place in various formats, though, of course, privately. We know that diverse efforts are being made to free Belarusians. Unfortunately, the problem lies not with Western partners but with the regime, which is not interested in releasing people and openly demonstrates this”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

How the Desire to Return Home Turns into a Prison Sentence

For the past three years, there have been reports of Belarusians who left the regime and then returned home, only to face repression. Many, while abroad, might have thought that this could never happen to them, that the authorities had forgotten, or that too much time had passed. But that is far from the truth.

On July 23, Nasha Niva published an article about Natalia Levaya, who returned to Belarus after a long time. According to the article, on July 17, she was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony and fined 40,000 rubles.

Natalia, 38 years old, is a professional 2D artist who lived in Poland and was very eager to return to Belarus. Despite her colleagues advising her against returning, her desire to go back to her homeland was stronger. She even paid donations for 2020 in excess, for which she received a certificate from the KGB. With this certificate, she headed back to Belarus.

However, the Homeland Did Not Greet Her with Open Arms

Natalia was detained at the border. On July 17, the Brest City Court charged her with three offenses: "Funding of War," "Funding of Extremist Organizations," and "Funding of Extremist Activities." Six years in a penal colony is the price she paid for her desire to return to her homeland, believing that the KGB would not bother her due to the so-called compensation.

Why do we highlight this story? It is a clear example of the regime's lies, its repressive policies, and its hatred towards its own citizens.

Earlier this year, human rights activists reported over 200 Belarusians who were detained upon returning to their homeland. Many of them appealed to the "return commission," but this did not save them. Among them was Tatyana Kurilina, who was accused of administering protest chats and sentenced to four and a half years in a penal colony. Brest resident Igor Nemirovich also appealed to the commission and returned to Belarus, receiving a one-year prison sentence. There are hundreds of such examples.

Do Not Trust the Safety of Returning Home

For example, Lukashenko established his own commission for the return of citizens. But what do we see in practice? People who trusted these promises return home and find themselves behind bars. This commission has become yet another tool for luring opposition-minded citizens and then persecuting them.

Another of his initiatives is the scheme for donations. And once again, the result is the same: people pay huge sums, hoping for protection, but instead face arrests and prison sentences. These donations turned out to be another way to extract money from citizens under false pretenses.

Finally, the recently introduced visa-free regime for European citizens also turned out to be a trap. Behind the attractive promises of freedom of movement lies the reality: the regime detained a German citizen and sentenced him to death. This means that even for foreigners, Belarus remains an extremely unsafe place.

All this confirms that returning to a country ruled by Lukashenko's regime is highly risky and dangerous for Belarusians. No "commissions," "compensations," or "repentances" guarantee safety. This is something that everyone currently safe abroad and considering returning home needs to be reminded of.

Source: NAM

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Youth Policy and Students, Marharyta Vorykhava, comments on the possible compulsory job assignments for Belarusian university and college graduates to Russia:

“The annual increase in quotas for Belarusian youth in Russian universities, reaching a record 1,300 spots for 2024, is not just about education. This is a strategic move to limit access to democratic values and academic freedoms. It’s also an attempt to more tightly bind Belarus to Russia through a new generation of young, intelligent, and talented people.

By attracting Belarusian students and integrating them into the Russian educational and employment systems, Russia aims to mitigate the effects of its demographic crisis. However, this limits the autonomy of Belarusian youth and turns them into ‘human capital’ for the Russian economy.

This policy is being implemented against the backdrop of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow’s attempt to increase control over Belarusian youth and limit their access to European educational and employment opportunities is part of a broader influence and control strategy.

Belarusian youth deserve the right to choose their educational and professional paths without coercion or influence. We are working to expand programs for Belarusian youth to study in European universities and participate in international exchanges”.

Ms. Vorykhava’s full statement in Belarusian is available in the video.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

How many foreigners are in the prison of Lukashenko's regime? Why has Lukashenko taken them hostage? What does he need them for? Why is he negotiating with them? And how is all this related to the sanctions? Today, we will discuss the foreign political prisoners in Lukashenko’s prisons.

Let's start with another question. Why are Belarusian neighboring countries from the EU imposing restrictions at the border? There are several answers to this question: the migration war initiated by Lukashenko with Russia's involvement, the Lukashenko regime's participation in aggression against Ukraine—essentially in the war on the borders of the European Union, the presence of thousands of political prisoners in Belarusian jails, including EU citizens. There can be many answers, but they all share a common characteristic—these are deliberate, targeted, and systemic actions by Lukashenko and his associates, for which only Lukashenko and his associates are responsible.

There is also another significant factor. Both the detention of EU citizens in Belarus, the storming of the borders of EU member states by migrants with the assistance of Lukashenko's security forces, and the recent killing of a Polish soldier at the Poland-Belarus border can be described by one common characteristic. All of these actions pose a threat to the national security of Belarus's neighboring countries. These are actions by the Lukashenko regime that represent a threat to our neighbors.

Foreign citizens, including citizens of EU countries, continue to be held hostage by the regime. Today, citizens of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, as well as Ukraine, the USA, and other countries remain in captivity. According to the human rights center “Vesna” about 25 foreign nationals are now held in places of deprivation of liberty on political grounds. They are persecuted for participating in protests, making comments, passing information to independent media, and even to their relatives abroad, and are also accused of “espionage” and “agent activity.”

Recently, the Belarusian information portal Zerkalo.io published a memo highlighting what foreigners should be prepared for if they wish to take advantage of visa-free entry and what risks and consequences such actions may have. The journalists of the publication note that in Belarus, a foreigner can be taken hostage to later negotiate for the regime’s foreign policy goals—an example being a German citizen; a foreigner will have to seriously reconsider their tastes and wardrobe since wearing clothing and accessories in “incorrect” colors can lead to imprisonment in Belarus; the use of unapproved historical symbols is prohibited; criticism of Lukashenko can easily lead to imprisonment, and even death in captivity.

Furthermore, speaking out against the war is prohibited, as an anti-war stance can also lead to imprisonment, and charity work can be considered support for extremism—resulting in the loss of both money and freedom.

And the obvious question arises: how many foreigners are willing to take such risks? How many are ready to accept Mr. Ryzhenkov’s invitation to become hostages in Belarus, to be traded like commodities?

Source: NAM

Leanid Marozau: “Today, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office was informed about the case initiated by the Lukashenka regime against a German citizen. Rico Krieger was charged under several terrorism-related articles, resulting in a death sentence after the trial.

We contacted representatives of the German Federal Foreign Office to share evidence showing that a foreign citizen in Belarus faces the death penalty.

Unfortunately, the Lukashenka regime continues to use execution as a form of punishment. In a civilized society, such treatment is unacceptable. However, as we see, the value of human life means nothing to this system. Political prisoners who are dying in prisons due to the regime’s policies are proof of that.

I sincerely hope that through joint efforts, democratic countries can save the life of a person accused of serious crimes on dubious grounds”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya participated in the European Political Community Summit in the United Kingdom, where she held negotiations with the leaders of several countries.

⚪️  With the new leadership of the United Kingdom – the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and the Foreign Minister, David Lammy, – the Belarusian leader discussed the political situation in Belarus. She emphasized the need to secure the release of political prisoners and support their families, as well as assist civil society and the media. The parties also discussed potential ways to formalize the relations between the UK and democratic forces, joint international initiatives, possible bilateral consultations, and other forms of cooperation between the UK and Belarus’ democratic forces.

🔴  Additionally, the Belarusian leader met with dozens of world politicians, including the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

The politicians discussed:

📌 Crafting a unified European response to Russian aggression and including Belarus in the international agenda.

📌 Strengthening solidarity and solidifying the European future of a democratic Belarus.

📌 Supporting the fight for freedom and democracy in Belarus, cultural and linguistic revival, as well as humanitarian aid for political prisoners.

📌 Expanding cooperation to include new governments and further strengthening international ties.

⚪️  With the Prime Minister of Ireland, Simon Harris, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discussed holding a Belarusian-Irish conference focusing on preserving culture and national identity. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also informed Mr. Harris about the international humanitarian fund in support of political prisoners and urged Ireland to join it.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

During the European Political Community Summit in the United Kingdom, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I was pleased to see the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, as well as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, at the summit. I expressed words of support and gratitude for their firm stance and support for Belarusians. Armenia recently granted asylum to Belarusians who fled the regime’s repression. Armenia also refused to participate in events organized by the official Minsk. I expressed support for Armenia in its efforts towards European integration”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

During the European Political Community Summit in the United Kingdom, the Belarusian leader met with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa. 

Ms. Tsikhanouskaya highlighted the contentious nature of the recent decisions by the Baltic states to restrict the entry of Belarusian-registered vehicles. She emphasized that these measures primarily affect Belarusians, not the regime, and called for easing entry rules for individuals.

“We are aware that this restriction was implemented according to EU instructions, and we understand that the restrictions were introduced for security reasons and to close loopholes. However, this particular restriction does not solve any problems. This is a rash decision. Therefore, we ask Latvia and other EU countries to consider broad exemptions. At the same time, I welcome that passenger bus traffic has been maintained,” said Ms. Tsikhanouskaya after the meeting.

The leader has also previously raised the issue of restrictions in meetings with Donald Tusk, Radosław Sikorski, Gitanas Nausėda, and Josep Borrell.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Restrictions on the entry of Belarusian-registered vehicles are a hasty and harmful decision. It primarily hurts the people, not the Lukashenka regime. Therefore, we are trying to convince our partners to revert or amend this decision. We are in contact with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, emphasizing the need to make exceptions for Belarusians entering the EU in their own cars.

We have a reached mutual agreement that restrictions must not affect passenger transportation. Belarusians living in the European Union will also be able to re-register their cars with European license plates.

However, we are aware that this relief still does not solve the mobility problem for Belarusians. For them, the border with the European Union is a border with the free world. It should be open to Belarusians who do not support the regime and see the future of their country in Europe. We will keep defending Belarusians’ interests”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

We are talking about a cell in the literal sense of the word. It’s about 1.5 meters long and 2 meters wide, resembling a rectangular cage with metal bars. There isn’t a chair or even a bench inside. The prison administration forces the women to stand there for the entire duration of their punishment. Sitting is forbidden and will only make their confinement last longer.

The cage is located outside, and prisoners can be put there at any time, regardless of the weather. Women are forced to stand there in the rain, scorching sun, or freezing cold, often for up to three or four hours at a time. If a prisoner is held there until nightfall, she risks missing her meal.

Kasia Budzko, a former political prisoner who spent two and a half years in a women’s prison for her pro-democracy stance, shared this horrifying reality of a Belarusian prison. There are many punishments designed to humiliate and degrade those imprisoned. One of the most appalling is the confinement of political prisoners in a cage.

In Belarus today, it’s easy to end up behind bars. Simply disagreeing with the Lukashenko regime’s ideology is enough. But what will land you in a cage within a cage?

Political prisoners who violate any prison rule are placed there. This could be for fighting, or any other “incident.” The definition of “incident” is extremely broad. A woman can be sent to the cage for having a panic attack or for formally refusing a work assignment. According to former political prisoner Daria Chultsova, every woman in the colony knows that any “rudeness” towards the prison administration will get you sent straight to the cage. “Rudeness” can include any expression of personal opinion. It doesn’t even have to be said in a rude or impolite tone. Simply disagreeing with something and offering an explanation is enough. Even something as small as an incorrectly sewn button is enough to get you thrown in a cage. The administration might also send a woman to the cage as a preventative measure, to demonstrate to other prisoners what happens to those who break the rules.

In reality, no real reason is needed to put someone in a cage. The prison administration acts with impunity. This is a daily practice where humiliation and human rights violations have become the norm.

The cage isn’t just physical violence; it’s psychological torture. The prison administration deliberately creates the most difficult conditions possible for the prisoners.

Putting a person in a cage violates both international and national law. According to materials from the human rights center Viasna, this practice violates Part 2 of Article 10 of the Criminal Executive Code of the Republic of Belarus, as well as Rules 39 and 47 of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules). The right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment and the right to humane treatment and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person are being violated.

The resilience of Belarusian women is astounding. According to one former political prisoner, she witnessed a woman stage a protest from inside her cage. Another former prisoner shared a story about a young woman who smiled throughout her entire ordeal. We must all show the same tenacity and persistence in fighting for the freedom of every political prisoner.

It’s important to remember that there are still over 1,400 officially recognized political prisoners and over 5,000 people imprisoned on politically motivated charges in Belarus. They are all living in inhumane conditions, and every single one of them is fighting for their life.

“This is truly horrific news. The fact that Belarusian women are being subjected to such inhumane torture is a blatant violation of international law and the most basic human rights. The world needs to know about the egregious crimes against humanity being committed by the Lukashenko regime, and Lukashenko himself must be held accountable. Our team, the National Anti-Crisis Management, along with our partners, has prepared all the necessary materials to refer the “situation in Belarus” to the International Criminal Court. The basis for this referral is the commission of crimes against humanity by Lukashenko and his accomplices. From May 2020 to May 2023 alone, at least 136,000 Belarusians became victims of crimes against humanity, including murder, enforced disappearances, torture, politically motivated sentences, and more. According to the UN, at least 300,000 Belarusians were forcibly deported from Belarus, primarily to Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. That’s 3.5% of the Belarusian population. At a recent meeting with Lukashenko in Astana at the SCO summit, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres directly expressed to the dictator his principled position on the need to end the repression in Belarus. I implore the foreign ministers of Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, as representatives of the countries most supportive of the Belarusian people, to take a stand, show their will, and refer Lukashenko’s case to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. It’s high time to use every available tool of international and national law to bring this dictator to justice.

People of Belarus, we keep fighting together for the freedom of the European Belarusian people.

Democracy will not prevail in Belarus until the dictator and his accomplices are held accountable,” emphasized Pavel Latushka, deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet and head of the National Anti-Crisis Management.

Source: NAM

The Belarusian leader participated in an international conference dedicated to Captive Nations Week. The event took place at the Victims of Communism Museum during the NATO Summit in Washington, where participants discussed how the legacy of totalitarianism affects current events in Eastern Europe.

In her speech, the Belarusian leader highlighted the consequences of communism for Belarus.

📎 “Russification: The Belarusian language faced discrimination, and the number of schools teaching in Belarusian decreased. There were deliberate efforts to destroy the culture. Lukashenka continues this policy”.

📎 “Mass repression: Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians were executed or sent to the Gulag. On a single night in 1937, the NKVD killed a hundred representatives of the national elite”.

📎 “Anti-Western agenda: After World War II, the United States and democratic countries were declared the new enemy. Today, Putin and Lukashenka refer to them as the ‘collective West’”.

📎 “Environment: Natural resources were depleted by the centrally planned economy. The Belarusian people and nature suffered the most from the Chornobyl disaster, which was a result of incompetent leadership”.

📎 “Economy: Private property was replaced by state ownership. Today, the most important industries in Belarus are owned by the state – in other words, by Lukashenka and his family”.

📎 “Human rights: There is no freedom of speech or association in Belarus. Just like in communist times, there are no independent media. Most NGOs have been banned and left Belarus, and civil society has been completely destroyed”.

📎 “Dictatorship: We haven’t had democracy in more than 70 years. We couldn’t elect political leaders or local officials who were simply appointed by the party, just as they are appointed by Lukashenka today”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Karanik claims that Belarus ranks 4th or 5th in the world for its doctor-to-population ratio. 

This is a lie.

Recent data reveals a stark decline in the number of doctors in Belarus, plummeting by 7,000 in 2023 alone. The Lukashenko regime began manipulating statistics related to practicing doctors in 2020, coinciding with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The motive behind this manipulation was to deceive international organizations, securing funding for Ministry of Health projects.

In June, Belarus celebrated Medical Worker Day, a holiday honoring those in the demanding profession of caring for the sick, alleviating suffering, and saving lives.

On June 12, 2024, a celebratory event marked the 105th anniversary of the Belarusian healthcare system and Medical Workers' Day. At the Palace of the Republic, Kochanova congratulated the assembled doctors. The Chairman of the Council of the Republic stressed the Belarusian government's supposed commitment to healthcare and made a number of hypocritical and cynical pronouncements.

Let's deconstruct the myths propagated by Kochanova

Here is a direct quote from Natallia Kochanova:

“Healthcare is one of the priority areas of state social policy. Funding is allocated, new medical institutions are being built, existing ones are being reconstructed, new modern equipment is being purchased, new pharmaceuticals are being produced at our enterprises, and educational institutions annually train professionals for the healthcare industry.”

Let's examine the reality of healthcare in Belarus.

Here are just a few facts: According to Belstat, the number of healthcare organizations has dwindled from 874 in 1990 to 569 in 2023. This reduction is particularly pronounced in the Viciebsk region (from 161 to 96) and the Mahilou region (from 124 to 56).

Furthermore, it is currently impossible to determine the number of hospital beds available during this period, as Belstat has not released this data for several years.

It is safe to assume that the number of hospital beds is also declining sharply.

Furthermore, Belarusians are increasingly witnessing the closure of medical centers in small villages and towns.

First, libraries and local shops disappeared, replaced by traveling vendors. Then post offices vanished. Now it’s the turn of medical clinics.

Residents of small villages are left without access to basic medical care. They can no longer get quick medical advice, have simple lab tests done, get their blood pressure checked, or have their heart and lungs examined. The closure of hospitals and medical centers has severely impacted access to healthcare. Residents of remote areas must travel long distances to receive medical services, a significant hardship for the elderly and low-income individuals.

Without regular medical supervision, the risk of chronic diseases worsening and new diseases going undetected increases significantly.

This decreased access to healthcare will likely lead to higher healthcare costs in the long run. More complicated and severe medical conditions will arise, requiring more expensive treatments.

But do Lukashenko and his cronies care? This illegitimate regime has secured excellent healthcare for themselves while concealing the true morbidity and mortality rates from the public. They are and will always be indifferent to the health and well-being of the Belarusian people.

The lack of adequate healthcare is driving people out of villages and into cities or abroad. This exodus further weakens already sparsely populated areas and stifles economic activity.

The remaining healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, leading to a decline in the quality of care. Medical professionals are overworked and resources are stretched thin.

And yet, against this backdrop of deterioration and despair, Karanik has the audacity to claim that Belarus ranks 4th or 5th in the world for its doctor-to-population ratio.

This is simply untrue.

To support this claim, Karanik cites Belstat data from the end of 2023, which reports 136,500 medical workers and 53.2 practicing doctors per 10,000 people. However, this data is based on an adjusted methodology for calculating the number of practicing doctors, and Belstat has not provided any details about this new methodology. Instead of using the actual number of working medical specialists (48,134 according to official statistics), they are including all individuals with higher medical education, including administrators, educators, and other non-practicing professionals.

Furthermore, the data on practicing doctors includes all medical professionals, so dentists are being counted as well.

The number of practicing physicians is also presented in full-time equivalents. This means that two doctors working 1.5 full-time equivalents each would be counted as three doctors.

Belstat itself has inadvertently revealed these manipulations.

The latest edition of their annual publication, “Belarus in Figures,” reports 7,400 fewer practicing doctors than the previous year, with a total of 41,300 practicing doctors, or 45.1 per 10,000 people.

Based on the most recent data, the number of doctors in Belarus plummeted by 7,000 in 2023 alone. The Lukashenko regime began actively manipulating statistics on practicing doctors in 2020, coinciding with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These manipulations were intended to mislead international organizations, allowing the regime to secure funding for Ministry of Health projects under false pretenses.

As of July 1, 2024, there were 4,943 unfilled vacancies for medical professionals and 4,165 vacancies for nurses.

The Homiel State Medical University website lists 5,351 unfilled healthcare positions in Belarus.

Can Lukashenko's regime find a way out of this crisis?

No.

All legitimate mechanisms for regulating the healthcare labor market have been exhausted. The only remaining options are coercion and repression.

These tactics might stabilize the situation temporarily, but the long-term outlook points to complete collapse.

The Belarusian people have already witnessed the regime's disregard for their health and well-being during the coronavirus pandemic. They saw firsthand that Lukashenko places no value on human life.

The people saw the truth and demanded, "GO AWAY!"

But Lukashenko clings desperately to power, frantically reshuffling his inner circle as he fears a repeat of the 2020 protests.

Source: NAM

On July 2, Aliaksandr Lukashenka signed the Law On Amnesty in Connection with the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Belarus from Nazi Invaders. It, like previous similar laws, does not grant amnesty for persons "involved in extremist and terrorist activities." Nevertheless, several political prisoners were released. 

As of July 5, Viasna human rights defenders know for certain about 17 political prisoners who were amnestied on July 3. Among them are three women and 14 men, including Ryhor Kastusiou, a cancer patient who was sentenced to 10 years in a penal colony. According to the information of Viasna, some of the political prisoners were pardoned, not amnestied.

 Human rights defenders do not publish the names of other released prisoners for their safety. 

The fact that political prisoner Ryhor Kastusiou was amnestied was confirmed to human rights defenders by relatives of the political prisoner. 67-year-old chairman of the BPF Party Ryhor Kastusiou was held behind bars for more than three years. He was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. In imprisonment, Ryhor's health problems worsened: he was diagnosed with cancer.

Information about other released persons is being checked and clarified.

Source: Human Rights Center "Viasna" 

Throughout 2023, the National Anti-Crisis Management team meticulously compiled dossiers on 179 Belarusian athletes affiliated with military or security forces operating under the Lukashenko regime. These dossiers were then submitted to international partners. As a result of this effort, it has been confirmed that several of these athletes have been deemed ineligible to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

In December 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Committee established stringent eligibility criteria for the participation of Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Paris Games. Subsequently, in March 2024, the IOC Executive Board formed the Athlete Individual Eligibility Review Panel (AINERP).

The AINERP is responsible for verifying the eligibility of athletes holding Russian or Belarusian passports to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games, based on the decisions made by the IOC Executive Board and established principles. This verification process involves drawing upon information from various sources, including official lists of athletes associated with military and security forces in Belarus.

In accordance with the established verification rules, not all athletes under review were deemed eligible or invited to participate in the Paris Olympics. The National Anti-Crisis Management played a crucial role in providing information about Belarusian athletes with ties to military structures. This information included details about prominent figures such as Irina Kurochkina and Vanessa Kolodinskaya, both leaders within the wrestling team.

The list of eligible athletes will be subject to updates based on ongoing AINERP decisions.

"The formation of a dedicated group to assess athletes' compliance with IOC criteria, along with the denial of entry to Belarusian athletes linked to military structures, represents a significant step towards safeguarding the integrity of sport and protecting it from political manipulation," said Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management. "The unwavering commitment of free athletes to upholding Olympic values must not be in vain."

Source: NAM

Chief Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Franak Viacorka, and Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, participated in the conference “The EU Integration Prospects for Ukraine and Belarus: Assessing the future”. The event was held in London and featured officials, politicians, experts, and representatives of the EU and its member states’ special envoys for Belarus.

The Belarusian section focused on Belarusians’ readiness for a European choice and a European future. Additionally, discussions addressed what the EU and European bodies can do to support Belarus on its path to European integration.

Franak Viacorka notes that the Belarusian issue is returning to the agenda.

“In London, the issue of Belarus is rarely discussed, so the conference and its level show that interest is returning. In a week, an election will take place in the UK, and it is crucial that the new government keeps Belarus on the agenda and has a developed strategy vis-a-vis Belarus. Perhaps the points discussed at today’s conference will be included in this strategy. Today’s discussion on Ukraine and Belarus has proven to be very timely”, comments the advisor.

The full comment on the conference is available in Belarusian in video.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

On June 28th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the release of Ukrainian citizens, some previously recognized as political prisoners, from detention under the Lukashenko regime. 

NAM expert opinion on the matter

Although Belarus committed an act of aggression against Ukraine by allowing its territory to be used as a staging ground for the Russian invasion, it is not legally considered a party to the armed conflict. Article 2 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 outlines the conditions for recognizing a state as a party to an armed conflict, and Belarus does not meet these criteria.

Assuming the exchange adhered to the rules of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, the parties involved were Russia and Ukraine, the two countries engaged in an international armed conflict. Therefore, the civilians returned to Ukraine, despite being detained in Belarus, were de jure handed over to Russia and treated as internees under Articles 41, 42, 43, 68, and 78 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Ukraine and Russia have established procedures for exchanging prisoners of war and interned civilians. This instance falls under that existing framework, with Belarus remaining legally outside the process.

However, this situation, along with other instances of direct military activity, provides further evidence that the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine has extended into Belarusian territory. Therefore, while Belarus may not be a party to the conflict, it is accurate to state that the conflict is taking place on Belarusian soil between Ukraine and Russia.

Source: NAM

Restoring the rights of victims of serious international crimes in Belarus was the central focus of meetings held by Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM), with permanent representatives of democratic countries to the OSCE on June 27-28, 2024, in Vienna.

Mr. Latushka and NAM lawyers met with representatives from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Canada, the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, the EU, and Liechtenstein. During these meetings, they presented their position on the potential of underutilized OSCE mechanisms in addressing the situation in Belarus, emphasizing their importance in restoring the rights of victims. The nature of the discussions suggests that partner actions in this direction are forthcoming.

At the request of the OSCE permanent representatives, Mr. Latushka provided updates on the Lukashenko regime's continued support for Russia's war against Ukraine and the regime's escalation of the migration crisis on the border with the European Union.

The illegal movement of civilians from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine to Belarus was also a point of concern. Several permanent representatives from European countries highlighted the advisability of establishing a unified platform within the OSCE, potentially through a "friends of democratic Belarus" group, to coordinate all initiatives related to accountability in the Belarusian context.

Pavel Latushka also briefed his partners on the concerning situation of Andrei Gnyot, a Belarusian activist and film director, and the risks associated with his potential extradition from Serbia to Belarus. Key partner countries are closely monitoring the situation, indicating a commitment to providing the necessary diplomatic and legal support.

Furthermore, at the request of the permanent representatives, Pavel Latushka shared information about the results of the Coordination Council elections and ongoing efforts to strengthen Belarusian democratic institutions.

Source: NAM

Appeal from the People's Embassies of Belarus to Belarusian Diplomats

Following the unexpected passing of former Belarusian Ambassador to Germany, Denis Sidarenka, the People's Embassies of Belarus extend their condolences to his family and loved ones. In light of this event, we appeal to the diplomats who continue to serve the current Lukashenko regime.

We urge you to critically reassess your position and join the democratic forces working to restore rights and freedoms in Belarus. The regime you support has consistently shown a willingness to betray and eliminate not only its opponents but also those loyal to it, once they become redundant or inconvenient.

Choosing democracy is a step towards ensuring your own safety and striving for a better future for our country.

The People's Embassies of Belarus stand ready to offer support and assistance to those who take this courageous step or wish to establish contact while remaining in their current positions. 

Contact for communication: free@belarusabroad.org 

Source: People's Embassies of Belarus

"The third convocation of the Coordination Council commenced its work on June 12th. We are currently developing a revised set of regulations to ensure the Council operates with maximum efficiency, both now and in the future. We plan to hold our first open general meeting in the coming days, during which the leadership will be elected," stated Angelika Melnikova, Coordination Council delegate and member of the " Latushka’s Team and Movement 'For Freedom'" coalition, during her participation in the third meeting of the III EU Consultative Group with Belarusian democratic forces. Melnikova's address focused on the results of the Coordination Council elections and the current state of affairs within the organization.

While the general political strategy of the Coordination Council will be determined through consensus among its members, several key areas of activity are already emerging:

• Serving voters and advocating for their interests: The legitimacy of the Coordination Council hinges on its ability to effectively address the needs of Belarusians both within the country and abroad. Our actions will be paramount.

• Strengthening ties with communities inside Belarus: this will involve a renewed emphasis on the political agenda and the rebuilding of a vibrant network of contacts.

• Enhancing the image of the Coordination Council and democratic forces among Belarusians: greater focus will be placed on media engagement, including outreach to bloggers who maintain a significant audience within Belarus.

• Collaborating with partners to simplify visa procedures and increase contact among people (those Belarusians who emigrated and those who stayed in Belarus): expanding efforts to support and mobilize the Belarusian diaspora will be crucial.

• Expanding interaction and cooperation with the United Transitional Cabinet: discussions are underway to enhance the Coordination Council's influence on the appointment of Cabinet members and broaden its overall powers.

• Strengthening cooperation with national parliaments of partner countries: this includes fostering closer ties with parliamentary institutions such as the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

Maintaining a key role in organizing sectoral consultations: the Coordination Council will continue to play a leading role in assessing the needs of a democratic Belarus.

Source: NAM

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya launched the meeting of the Belarus–European Union Consultative Group in Brussels. The third meeting of representatives of Belarus’ democratic forces and the Western partners focused on several issues:

⚪️ The political situation in Belarus and human rights;

🔴 Accountability for the regime;

⚪️ Preparations for the 2025 presidential campaign;

🔴 Efforts to free political prisoners;

⚪️ Mobility of Belarusians.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the search for solutions to these problems during her speech:

📌 “To defeat the regime, we must achieve understanding and support from the people. Now, more than ever, we need to strengthen independent media and our national identity”.

📌 “Belarusians must see that the European perspective is the only alternative to the Russian world. Belarusians need to feel that Europe stands by them and that Europe’s doors will be open when the time comes”.

📌 “In 2025, Lukashenka hopes to be ‘re-elected’. However, we must not allow the regime to ‘turn over the page’ and return to how things were before. This ‘election’ will not be recognized by either Belarusians or the international community. We will use this campaign to mobilize our supporters and draw attention to the situation in Belarus”.

📌 “Our current priority must be to support Belarusians’ potential. We need to support the people who continue to fight, both inside the country and in exile. I am confident that a new window of opportunity will open – and we must all be ready for it”.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

On June 25th, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström met with representatives of Belarusian democratic forces, including members of the NAM team. During the meeting, the minister pledged to make every effort to ensure that Belarus remains a priority for Europe.

Citing the Lukashenko regime's complicity in the aggression against Ukraine and its widespread human rights violations, the minister emphasized that Europe will continue to monitor the situation in Belarus closely. He affirmed Sweden's commitment to supporting Belarusians and expressed his belief that Belarus's future lies with Europe.

Minister Billström placed particular emphasis on the importance of Belarusian culture and language, as well as educational opportunities for Belarusian citizens in Europe. He also highlighted the significance of initiatives that foster unity within Belarusian society.

A NAM representative present at the meeting stressed that lasting peace and harmony in Belarus are unattainable without justice being served upon members of the Lukashenko regime and accountability for those who have suffered from repression. The Swedish minister was urged to support initiatives by Belarusian democratic forces within the OSCE framework, as well as efforts to hold members of the regime accountable through the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

Source: NAM

The President of the Human Rights Council has appointed the members of the new Group of Independent Experts on Human Rights in Belarus. The group includes Susan Bazilli (Canada), Karinna Moskalenko (Russian Federation), and Monika Stanisława Płatek (Poland).

The Legal Team of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya notes: “The establishment of such an expert group is an unprecedented procedure for Belarus. It testifies to the high-level attention from international human rights organizations to what is happening in our country. The events of 2020 and subsequent years are not forgotten. Crimes will be investigated, and the perpetrators will be held internationally accountable”.

What are the duties of the Human Rights Expert Group on Belarus? 

📎 Investigating and establishing the facts, circumstances, and causes of human rights violations and abuses committed in Belarus since May 1, 2020;

📎 Collecting, summarizing, preserving, and analyzing evidence of such violations and abuses. Identifying perpetrators where possible, considering judicial and other proceedings, including criminal prosecution in courts and tribunals;

📎 Making recommendations on measures to hold the perpetrators accountable in order to end impunity in Belarus;

📎 Ensuring accountability and access to justice and effective remedies, including compensation for victims;

📎 Cooperating with all interested parties (Belarusian, as well as regional and international civil society, international human rights organizations) to exchange information and take actions to hold the perpetrators of human rights violations in Belarus accountable.

The Legal Team of Sviatlana Tsikhanoyskaya’s Office continues to actively cooperate with the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus. In particular, it has prepared a set of documents on human rights violations in Belarus and methods of holding all perpetrators internationally accountable to make sure the joint work with the UN Human Rights Expert Group on Belarus can begin as soon as possible.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

The Belarusian leader met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, in Vilnius. During their dialogue, they discussed the political situation in Belarus, Armenia, and the region, as well as the cooperation of Belarus’ democratic forces with the government, Parliament, and civil society of Armenia.

Mr. Mirzoyan and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya separately talked about the situation of Belarusians in Armenia, specifically discussing the non-extradition of Belarusian citizens at the request of the Lukashenka regime.

At the end of the meeting, the Belarusian leader expressed hope for continued close cooperation between Armenia and the democratic forces of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that the people of Armenia and Belarus deserve a free, democratic, and European future.

Source: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

“Citizens of Belarus who visit Latvia in personal cars with Belarusian registration will be able to continue to enter the territory of Latvia,” noted Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže during the meeting with the deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, head of the National Anti-Crisis Management Pavel Latushka, in response to the corresponding appeal from the representative of the democratic forces of Belarus.

Pavel Latushka informed the Latvian Foreign Minister about the results of the elections to the Coordination Council and about the actions of the democratic forces of Belarus aimed at strengthening the three institutions of democratic forces: the President-Elect, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the Coordination Council.

Pavel Latushka outlined the importance of achieving accountability, both for Lukashenko personally and for his representatives, for the illegal displacement of Ukrainian children and for the ongoing crimes against humanity committed against the Belarusian people. He presented detailed information about the work of the NAM team in these areas.

Ms Braže emphasized the importance of holding “the Lukashenko regime accountable for atrocities against the Belarusian people and joint aggression against Ukraine.” Latvia also advocates increasing EU sanctions pressure on the Lukashenko regime to “limit the possibility of circumventing sanctions against Russia” by limiting the transit of goods passing through Belarus into the Russian Federation when Belarus is used to circumvent European sanctions imposed on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. The Latvian Foreign Minister noted her readiness to consider NAM proposals to introduce Latvian national personal and economic sanctions.

During the discussion of increasing sanctions pressure on the Lukashenko regime, Ms Braže informed Pavel Latushka that a sanctions package against Russia had been agreed upon, which opens up opportunities for further coordination of the sanctions package against the Lukashenko regime. This package should be aimed at harmonizing sanctions against Russia and the Lukashenko regime. They discussed the existing challenges for agreeing on this package and possible assistance from the democratic forces of Belarus for its adoption.

In connection with an appeal from Belarusian citizens, who note the visits of European countries by representatives of Belarusian propaganda, as well as persons who are a potential threat to national security, the NAM team will prepare proposals for introducing personal sanctions against these representatives and transfer them to Latvia.

The topic related to the legalization of Belarusian citizens located in Latvia was also raised. The Foreign Minister informed Mr. Latushka that Belarusians would have the opportunity to apply for refugee status or international protection and subsequently receive an international travel document.

Ms Braže emphasized that possible restrictions on Belarusian vehicles will not apply to personal cars of Belarusian citizens with Belarusian registration.

Source: NAM

Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Parkhomchik recently admitted at a recent meeting with Lukashenko that sanctions, which are supposedly making Lukashenko’s regime stronger, have actually hurt wood pellet production in Belarus. 

Before 2020, Belarus had established approximately 60 pellet production facilities, with a total capacity of about a million tons per year. Parkhomchik noted that these enterprises were created to meet the high demand for these products in Europe. However, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, supplies to Europe have been suspended. Unsurprisingly, Parkhomchik fails to explain the reasons behind this suspension or who is responsible. He conveniently overlooks the mass repressions in Belarus, the migration crisis on the EU borders, and the Lukashenko regime's complicity in Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Sanctions are also impacting cross-border payments processed by banks. This information comes not from Parkhomchik, but from a recent report by National Bank. Specifically, at the National Bank's initiative, commercial banks have begun advising corporate clients on navigating international settlements. To facilitate the evasion of financial sanctions, the National Bank has even established a dedicated working group to coordinate foreign economic settlements. Banks have also taken steps “to clear suspended payments, including using alternative systems for transmitting financial information or clearing mechanisms.”