On 9 August 2020, Belarusians took to the streets en masse to defy the rigged presidential elections seized by long-standing dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko. Since then, the oppression has escalated, infiltrating every sphere of people’s lives. However, it has not broken the Belarusians’ spirit and their fight for freedom. ARTICLE 19 remains in awe of the courage of Belarusian people and stands in steadfast support for their continued struggle for democracy.
It’s been five years since the rigged presidential elections in Belarus. Since then, the country has become a stark symbol of how an authoritarian regime that has long relied on repressive measures can tighten its grip even further. The escalating crackdown on civil society has taken the form of relentless surveillance, judicial harassment, physical abuse, and the criminalisation of any form of dissent, including something as small as a ‘like’ on a social media post. Under Lukashenko’s regime, even the most remote or far-fetched link to human rights work – or simply whatever the authorities label as ‘extremism’ – can land a person in a penal colony.
As examined in our latest analysis, published jointly with our esteemed partner Human Constanta, the de facto authorities in Belarus increasingly use excessively broad and vague ‘extremism’ laws to target all forms of dissent – even retroactively, turning yesterday’s lawful act into today’s crime. This further deepens the pervasive climate of fear and surveillance. Belarusian courts have been repeatedly handing down harsh sentences for actions such as making online donations, posting comments, or administering online platforms. Since the 2020–2021 protests, at least 22,500 criminal cases have been opened on ‘anti-extremism’ grounds.
Over a thousand people remain behind bars for exercising their fundamental rights. Political prisoners continue to face torture and inhuman, degrading treatment. We will not cease to demand their unconditional release. It is important that we don’t lose determination in defending the rights of those who pay a high price for speaking out in support of democratic change in Belarus. The unexpected release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski – one of Belarus’s leading activists and the husband of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya – alongside 13 other prisoners clearly shows that pressure works, and staying persistent is crucial.
Despite this mounting climate of fear, Belarusian civil society has not disappeared, but reorganised. It has adapted to incredibly hostile circumstances and continues to resist with remarkable resilience and creativity. From exile and within the country, Belarusians are finding new ways to support each other, expose human rights violations, and keep the spirit of resistance alive, be it through direct mutual help day by day, digital safety trainings, advocacy at the international level, or documenting the regime’s crimes to keep the Belarusian plight on the global agenda.
In the face of growing protest crackdowns, rising far-right influence, and intensifying censorship across Europe, the experience of Belarusian civil society offers valuable lessons on resilience. It demonstrates that movements can endure extreme pressure and continue to challenge oppression.
ARTICLE 19 stands in unwavering solidarity with Belarusians who persist in their struggle against dictatorship. We call on the international community to take decisive action to pressure the regime in Minsk to respect human rights, honour their international obligations, release all political prisoners, and end the judicial harassment of dissenting voices.