Belarus Brief May 2021

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

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

Detained in April: at least 332

Politically motivated criminal trials in May: at least 109

‘Political prisoners’: 454 (via Spring96)

On May 23 the Ryanair Flight FR#4978 from Athens to Vilnus carrying dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich was forced to land. As a result, there are currently no passenger flights between Belarus and European Union. Authorities released two confession videos under torture. (via NPR, CNN)

Belarus opens a criminal case against Tut.by, the largest independent, online media outlet in Belarus, blocks its website, and detains everyone inside. (via abcNEWS, Freejournalists.info) Authorities raid a Minsk studio of the news channel Belsat and homes of its journalists (via RFERL, Euronews)

The regime continues to kill. After a police interrogation for participating in political protests,17-year old orphan Dmitry Stahovski jumped out the window, blaming the pressure from the authorities for his death. (via Reuters) Vitold Ashurak died in prison. (via The Guardian) Stepan Latypov tried to commit suicide in court. (via CNN) Lyudmila Khlusevich who suffers from leukemia and will be tried for a comment in a social network wrote in a death note “I ASK THAT YOU BLAME THE STATE FOR MY DEATH.” (via Belsat)

Reports suggest beatings and torture are rife during raids and in detention. (via BBC)

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

President Biden issued a statement calling for the release of Raman Pratasevich and hundreds of other political prisoners and for an international investigation of the diversion of Ryanair Flight FR#4978. (via whitehouse.gov)

In her statement Press Secretary Jen Psaki underscored that the United States will continue to advocate for action against the Lukashenka regime for its "affront to international norms and undermining of democracy and human rights" (via whitehouse.gov)

Several members of the U.S. Congress issued statements condemning the forced diversion of a commercial flight and called for Aleksander Lukashenka to be accountable for these violations of international laws and norms. (via Twitter, FCFR)

U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) held a joint press conference with Belarusian leader and activist Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Vilnius, Lithuania. (via TheHill)

In a recent interview, Julie Fisher, U.S. Ambassador to Belarus, noted that the ‘West must respond in terms that Lukashenka is able to understand’. (via Belsat)

In a new publication Amnesty International reports about brutal reprisals against students and reveals the disruptive impact of the state’s repression on academic life in Belarus. (via Amnesty)

DIASPORA

REPRESSIONS IN BELARUS

DIASPORA

Twenty Belarusian communities in the US sent a joint letter in support of Raman Pratasevich. (via aba-together.org)

The Belarus Freedom Forum, on behalf of Belarusian-American communities, calls on President Biden, Vice President Harris, the US Congress, and the State Department to initiate an immediate investigation, demand Belarusian cooperation with the international community, and set consequences for the Lukashenka regime’s diversion of Ryanair Flight #FR4978 and arrest of journalist Raman Pratasevich on May 23, 2021. (BelarusFF)

The Association of Belarusians in America (ABA) has formed in California. It unites community leaders from 25 cities across the United States. Its first membership meeting took place on May 16th, 2021, in Philadelphia, PA.

Two claims have been filed by Belarusian citizens against President Alexander Lukashenko and his security apparatus: one with Germany's Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, and the other with the International Criminal Court in The Hague. (via Deutsche Welle, belaruswomen.org)

In light of reports of police intimidation of people writing to political prisoners, it is crucial to send letters from abroad. "Support has no boundaries: how to write letters to political prisoners if you are outside of Belarus." (via Spring96)

Portland, OR

In Portland, OR, Belarusians gathered in the Waterfront Park to mourn the passing of Vitold Ashurak and to show their support of the brave striking workers at BelAZ factory.

Concord, NH

On May 22, a group of protesters from New England held a rally at the New Hampshire State House in Concord, NH, drawing attention to human rights atrocities committed by Lukashenka.

Minnesota

North Carolina

Belarusians in Minnesota held their rally on Irene Hixon Whitney Pedestrian Bridge to protest Russian interference in Belarusian internal affairs.

North Carolina

May 21-23 Belarusian communities of North Carolina spent the weekend paddleboarding and hiking in Jackrabbit Mountain National Forests.

Denver, CO

North Carolina

Honolulu, HI

In Denver, CO, Belarusians expressed their support of friends and relatives back in Belarus in front of the Museum of Nature and Science.

Honolulu, HI

North Carolina

Honolulu, HI

Belarusian diaspora of Honolulu, HI, protested next to the "Surfer on a Wave" statue and urged the Belarusian government to release all political prisoners.

ABA - Association of Belarusians in America

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

News from the Belarusian Diaspora in the USA, MAY 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

Portland, OR

Concord, NH

Minnesota

North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina

Denver, CO

North Carolina

Honolulu, HI

Honolulu, HI

North Carolina

Honolulu, HI