Authorities in Belarus have launched a crackdown on dissent that has been ongoing for nearly four years, with the latest step being raids and the seizure of property belonging to 104 opposition activists who have fled the country. President Alexander Lukashenko initiated the crackdown in August 2020 following disputed reelection which sparked mass protests against his rule. More than 35,000 people have been arrested, thousands have been brutally beaten in custody, and independent news organizations and rights groups have been forcibly shut down, with journalists imprisoned.
Over 500,000 people have fled Belarus, a country with a population of 9.5 million, and the authorities have now begun targeting Belarusians abroad who call for tougher sanctions against the country. The latest raids and seizures targeted activists who criticized Belarusian authorities abroad and rallied to mark the anniversary of Belarus’ independence. A criminal probe has been launched on charges of “forming an extremist group” and “discrediting Belarus,” offenses that can result in prison terms of up to seven years for those involved. Participants of rallies in other countries marking Belarus’ independence anniversary have been tracked down by officials.
Belarus’ Investigative Committee spokesman accused the activists of being “fugitive puppets” who are calling for economic and political pressure on the country. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who left Belarus in 2020, described the raids and seizures as the authorities’ revenge on Belarusians who continue to fight against the dictatorship. She also noted the regime’s attempt to instill fear among Belarusians both within the country and abroad, likening the current situation to Stalin-era repression with arbitrary arrests, toughening repressions, and constant instability.
Viasna, Belarus’ oldest and most prominent rights group, has reported just under 1,400 political prisoners in the country, including its founder Ales Bialiatski, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. The crackdown on dissent in Belarus has resulted in thousands of arrests, brutal treatment of detainees, and the closure of independent media outlets and rights organizations. Lukashenko’s regime has targeted activists abroad as well, accusing them of discrediting the country and calling for sanctions. The ongoing repression has led to an exodus of over half a million Belarusians seeking safety in other countries.
The mass protests that erupted in Belarus in 2020 following Lukashenko’s disputed reelection are part of a long-standing movement against his authoritarian rule. The latest raids on opposition activists abroad and the targeting of those who criticize the regime are seen as an attempt to stifle dissent both within and outside the country. The criminalization of opposition activities and dissent, including charges of forming extremist groups, has led to a climate of fear and instability in Belarus, with many activists facing the threat of imprisonment.
The international community has condemned the crackdown in Belarus, with calls for stronger sanctions and support for the opposition movement. The targeting of activists abroad has raised concerns about the reach of Belarus’ repressive regime and the safety of dissidents in other countries. The raids and seizures of property belonging to opposition activists are seen as a continuation of the regime’s attempts to silence its critics and maintain a grip on power. Despite the repression, opposition leaders like Tsikhanouskaya continue to call for resistance against the dictatorship and for international support in the fight for democracy in Belarus.
