Belarus Brief Apr 2021

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

Detained since August (out of population of 9.5mln): >35,000

Detained in April: at least 304

Politically motivated criminal trials in April: at least 98

‘Political prisoners’: 360 (Spring96)

Ongoing repressions continue to rely on criminal prosecution for political reasons – along with arbitrary detentions of peaceful protesters, arrests for displaying white-red-white symbols in private homes, use of torture in prisons, and politically motivated firing of employees. (via Spring96 report, pen-center.by)

At least six minors faced politically motivated criminal charges and prison sentences. (via Svaboda, in Belarusian)

Military and police forces flooded Minsk to prevent rallies on April 26, the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. (via RFERL)

The authorities attempted to portray non-violent protests as plotting a military coup and assassination of Belarus’ dictator Lukashenka. Belarusian and Russian security services detained three alleged plotters: lawyer Yuri Zyankovich, politician Ryhor Kastusiou, and political analyst and critic Aliaksandr Fiaduta. (via Belsat)

The U.S. DoS denied conspiracy to eliminate Lukashenka. (via Belsat)

LGBTQ+ activists took an active part in the 2020 protests. (via Baltic Words)

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

The U.S. Congress adopted Resolution 124, stating that the August 9, 2020 election in Belarus was neither free nor fair, and the House of Representatives does not recognize Alyaksandr Lukashenka as the country's legitimate president. (via congress.gov)

The U.S. renewed sanctions against 9 Belarusian state-owned enterprises. Cooperation with these enterprises should stop in 45 days. (via Belarusfeed and state.gov)

The U.S. Congress held hearings on democracy and human rights in Belarus. The hearings were organized by Representatives Christopher H. Smith and James P. McGovern. Pro-democracy leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya testified. (via house.gov; includes written testimonies).

In a recent interview, Julie Fisher, U.S. Ambassador to Belarus, noted that “There can be no question that Alexander Lukashenko remains in power and is in control of the government in Belarus. But there is a difference between legitimacy and the exercise of power… We do not recognize that he won the election in August.” (via NPR)

Reporters Without Borders identified Belarus as the most dangerous country in Europe for journalists (via Human Rights Watch, Reporters without Borders, and UN)

PEN International called for the immediate release of literary critic Aliaksandr Fiaduta. (via PEN International)

DIASPORA

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

DIASPORA

Thirteen Belarusian communities in the US sent a joint letter to human rights organizations on behalf of Mikita Zalatarou. Amnesty International came out with a statement asking for his release.

Mikita Zalatarou, a 17-year-old teenager with epilepsy, was tortured in detention, received a 5-year sentence for participation in protests, and is currently in solitary confinement.

Project B4B Journey continues! The white-red-white Belarusian flag traveling between Belarusian communities worldwide to unite the diaspora made it to Detroit, MI, Cleveland, OH, and Pittsburgh, PA. (via Падарожжа БЧБ Facebook)

Cultural events in April included lectures on art and the protests in Belarus: "Art, Memory, and Protest in Belarus" (Havighurst Center Annual Lecture; read more here); "No Time for Art?" (Institute of Radical Imagination; watch here); "We Came out into the Streets!" (University of Bergen)

Timothy Snyder, the author of Bloodlands and On Tyranny, connects the protests in Belarus and its history: “During the Second World War, no country suffered more than Belarus.” (Part 1, 2, 3, and 4).

SUPPORT WORKERS

of BelarusKali, GrodnoAzot, Naftan in their strike. (via BelarusTogether)

According to Amnesty International, the Belarusian authorities are ruthlessly targeting independent trade unions as part of the crackdown on the protests.

Chicago, IL

The nonprofit organization Belarusians in Chicago, IL, along with Ukrainian and Polish communities, planted grass and trees for the conservation of the beach ground and cleaned the Sam Leone Beach Park. After hours of work, people gathered for a small picnic.

Boston, MA

Chicago, IL

Belarusians of Boston, MA, observed a minute of silence for all the victims. Against the background of a giant three-meter radiation sign and to the sounds of a Geiger counter, representatives of the diaspora told their stories of the tragedy.

Western PA

Chicago, IL

New York, NY

Belarusians of Western PA held in Point State Park, Pittsburgh, PA. Activists held an installation and performed a reading from Voices of Chernobyl by the Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich.

New York, NY

In New York, NY, Belarusians from different states gathered near the UN headquarters to express solidarity with victims, clean-up workers, and those who still live in the contaminated areas.

San Diego, CA

In San Diego, CA, members of the Belarusian community marched through the downtown with informative posters about the disaster and its outcomes.

Austin, TX

San Diego, CA

In Austin, TX, Belarusians marched through the downtown. Among the attendees was an eyewitness of the events of the night of 26 April 1986 in Chernobyl.

ABA - Association of Belarusians in America

Belarusian-American 501(c)(3) non-profit

News from the Belarusian Diaspora in the USA, APRIL 2021 aba-together.org

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

DIASPORA

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

DIASPORA

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL

Boston, MA

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL

Western PA

Chicago, IL

New York, NY

New York, NY

New York, NY

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA

Austin, TX

San Diego, CA