Belarusian-American 501(c)(3) non-profit
Belarusian-American 501(c)(3) non-profitBelarusian-American 501(c)(3) non-profitBelarusian-American 501(c)(3) non-profitBelarusian-American 501(c)(3) non-profit
Belarusian-American 501(c)(3) non-profit
LATEST NEWS
Statement on the 5th Anniversary of the 2020 Belarusian Protests - August 2025
Five years ago, in August 2020, the people of Belarus took to the streets in historic, peaceful protests demanding freedom, democracy, and human dignity. Today, we honor the courage of those who stood up — and continue to stand — against dictatorship. Their commitment remains strong, even in the face of violent crackdowns, mass arrests, torture, and forced exile.
As the Association of Belarusians in America, we reaffirm our support for peaceful democratic change in Belarus. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners — 1,187 as of August 8, 2025, — and for an end to the ongoing campaign of repression. We urge the international community to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its serious violations of human rights and its role in undermining regional security.
Since 2020, more than 7,100 people have been sentenced in politically motivated criminal cases, including 33 subjected to compulsory psychiatric confinement. The Viasna Human Rights Center continues its vital work documenting these abuses, even as several of its members — including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski — remain unjustly imprisoned and silenced.
We are grateful to U.S. diplomats and the Department of State for their dedicated efforts, which contributed to the release and deportation of at least 14 political prisoners this year, including journalist Ihar Karnei, opposition figure Siarhei Tsikhanouski, activist Akihira Hayeuski-Khanada, scientist Natallia Dulina, and two U.S. citizens Anastassia Nuhfer and Youras Ziankovich.
Even as we recognize these rare moments of hope, we must not forget the thousands still behind bars. Repression continues unabated, with over 1,700 detentions recorded this year alone. Journalists, civil society activists, and ordinary citizens continue to be arbitrarily arrested, silenced, and punished for exercising their basic rights.
The Lukashenka regime continues to serve as a key enabler of Russian aggression — facilitating the invasion of Ukraine, hosting Russian troops and nuclear weapons, and threatening the security of NATO’s eastern borders. Regime remains tightly aligned with the Kremlin’s military and political agenda.
We call on the United States and its allies to remain vigilant:
* Deter Belarus from further involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine;
* Increase pressure for the release of political prisoners and an end to repression;
* Be prepared to respond with meaningful consequences if the regime continues its current path.
The struggle for a free and independent Belarus is ongoing. We remain committed to standing with the Belarusian people — and urge the international community to continue its support until lasting democratic change is achieved.
ABOUT US
The nationwide organization ABA unites Belarusians across the United States.
ABA has developed a network of Belarusian American organizations in fourteen states and 25 cities, and several Belarusian-American nonprofits.
Our main goal is to unite Belarusian American people and organizations to mutually work on educating about Belarus's history, culture, and political situation in the country, preserving and developing the Belarusian language and culture, and supporting Belarusians in building a strong civil society.
Our Team
Our History
The Association of Belarusians in America (ABA) team is comprised of activists that represent Belarusian communities in 25 cities across 14 states.
We are Belarusian-Americans of different ages, occupations, and education living in different states yet connected through our Belarusian heritage and strive to help our home country.
Our History
Our History
We started as individual Facebook groups across the United States. In 2021 we founded our nonprofit organization that became a national umbrella uniting Americans of Belarusian descent.
Our Mission
Our Mission
The Association of Belarusians in America (ABA) has two agendas:
To support and facilitate democratic change in Belarus,
To unite the Belarusian-American Community and to preserve Belarusian cultural and historical heritage in the USA.
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