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Organisers and members of the liquidated BSDP-Hramada party in The Hague, March 2025
Last Thursday and Friday, March 27 and 28, FMS had the pleasure of hosting the chairman and vice-chairman of the liquidated social democratic party BSDP-Hramada. The liquidated BSDP-Hramada (from here on 'Hramada') was founded in 1991 and has been operating from exile since 2023, when the current regime banned all opposition parties. The purpose of the visit was to highlight the current situation in Belarus and draw attention to activists in exile.
The situation inside and outside Belarus
Following the unfair elections in 2020 and the violent protests that followed, the regime has gagged the opposition. Many opposition leaders and opponents of the regime are detained, including nine members of social democratic party Hramada. Many others have fled abroad. Among other things, the visit drew attention to the long arm of the Belarusian regime. Opponents are not only unsafe at home, but also within European Union borders. For instance, during protests abroad, anti-regime protesters are identified through photo and video footage by the regime, only to be persecuted in Belarus. Their loved ones are also threatened and property, such as homes, confiscated. This puts further pressure on resistance in exile.
Organised opposition in exile
Fortunately, there is still a diversity of opposition parties in exile. In exile, they are active in the Coordination Council and the 8+100 Forums to work for a democratic Belarus and the situation of persons in exile. In addition, together with the Council of Europe, SvetlanaTichanovskaya and the International Parliamentary Alliance for a Democratic Belarus produced a document with guidelines on how European countries can help Belarusians in exile. For example, a common problem is that it takes a long time for Belarusian opposition members to receive residence permits as political refugees. These 'Luxembourg solutions' offer concrete proposals on this issue.
The situation for Belarusians and refugee Belarusians remains dangerous as freedom of expression and political opposition are banned. Thanks to Hramada's visit to The Hague, Dutch politicians and non-profit organisations have hopefully put Belarus back on the agenda. Supporting opposition parties is vital to keep them in their strength and prepare for a democratic and free Belarus in the future.
