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NL #westandBYyou: against repression and for fair elections in Belarus
Something unusual is going on in Belarus (Belarus). Presidential elections are on 9 August and most probably the current president, who has been in power since 1994, will win again this time. But, the population is moving and speaking out and the regime seems to be under pressure more than in other years.
Five years ago, elections in the shadow of the Maidan revolution and war in Ukraine went very peacefully for Lukashenko and he extended his term without any problems. On the contrary, the elections before that, 10 years ago, were accompanied by large-scale arrests and long prison sentences, including of presidential candidates. The big difference with this year is that the arrests started even before candidate registrations were opened. For instance, a popular blogger, who did not hide his ambitions, was jailed even before registering as a candidate. Another popular candidate was arrested while collecting signatures for his candidature and subsequently not admitted as a candidate.
Belarusians tear away from President Lukashenko
In the Republic of Belarus (Belarus), there have been protests for weeks against President Alexandr Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years. Democratic freedoms and values are not in his vocabulary. So far, more than 300 people, including one of his most promising challenger, Viktor Babariko, have been arrested during protests against the detention and exclusion of opposition candidates. These candidates were excluded during the presidential election on 9 August. Partly due to Lukashenko's corona policy and approach towards opposition candidates, activists, journalists, bloggers and vloggers, his support is rapidly crumbling. Harshly, the president is trying to maintain his power.
Commemoration of four disappeared Belarusians
Eindhoven commemorates four disappeared Belarusians for the 12th time
Progressive Women of Eastern Europe want more cooperation
Last weekend, we organised the Progressive Women's Summit of Eastern Europe, together with the UK Labour Party and the Social Democratic Platform in Ukraine. Women from four Eastern European countries - Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia and Georgia - came together in Kyiv, to share experiences and reflect together on possible solutions to the challenges they face.
In Belarus, you can celebrate Independence Day in a police van
Around Minsk's national theatre on Sunday 25 March, everything you saw was red and white. There was no escaping the flags in the colours of the Belarusian People's Republic, which was founded exactly 100 years ago. That was reason for many people to celebrate with a big concert, but not for everyone.