The Belarusian authorities recently convicted the famous dissident rock band Nizkiz and its three members, designating them as extremist and sentencing them to two years of correctional labor. This is part of a wider crackdown on dissent in Belarus, which has been ongoing for years and has led to the imprisonment of many critics of the authoritarian government. The band gained notoriety during the 2020 mass protests in Belarus, sparked by President Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed election victory. Their song “Rules” became an anthem for the protests, and a music video for the song was filmed at one of the demonstrations against Lukashenko.
Following their sentencing, the band and its members were added to the state’s registry of extremists, effectively banning their songs and exposing their fans to potential prosecution. The band, founded in 2008 in Mogilev, faced initial petty charges before authorities opened a criminal case against them. The members have been in custody since January 2024, with the Viasna human rights center declaring them political prisoners in February. The center also reported that there are currently 1,387 political prisoners in Belarus, including prominent figures like Ales Bialiatski, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022.
Belarus’ opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called on musicians worldwide to show solidarity with the convicted Belarusian musicians, who were targeted for their songs of freedom. She criticized the Belarusian regime for its continued attack on the country’s culture, pointing out that Nizkiz’s music was played during the 2020 protests, leading to their harsh treatment by the authorities. Tsikhanouskaya condemned the regime’s actions as “shameful acts of revenge” against those who dared to speak out against the government.
The crackdown on dissent in Belarus has intensified since the 2020 protests, with thousands of people arrested and labeled as “extremists” for criticizing the government. The regime has responded to opposition with violence and repression, targeting activists, journalists, and musicians who dare to speak out against the ruling authorities. The case of Nizkiz and its members is just one example of the wider crackdown on freedom of expression and dissent in the country, with many others facing similar charges and harsh penalties for their opposition.
The international community has condemned Belarus’ actions against dissenters and called for the release of political prisoners. Governments around the world, human rights organizations, and activists have all expressed their support for those detained in Belarus for their peaceful activism. The European Union, the United States, and other countries have imposed sanctions on Belarus in response to the crackdown on dissent, with calls for further action to pressure the Lukashenko regime to respect human rights and uphold democratic principles.
Despite facing repression and imprisonment, the spirit of resistance and defiance among activists and dissidents in Belarus remains strong. The case of Nizkiz and the wider crackdown on dissent have only fueled calls for change and greater accountability from the government. International solidarity and support for those facing persecution in Belarus continue to grow, as people around the world stand in solidarity with those fighting for freedom and democracy in the country.
