TALLINN, Estonia — A large-scale crackdown in Belarus has seen hundreds detained for expressing support for Ukraine, as reported by human rights activists. This crackdown comes under the authoritarian regime of President Alexander Lukashenko, who is a crucial ally to Russia in the ongoing conflict. According to reports from the Viasna human rights center, at least 1,671 individuals in Belarus have been arrested due to their anti-war sentiments or solidarity with Ukraine. Among these, around 200 have received prison sentences ranging from one to 25 years for charges labeled as “extremism” and “conspiracy against the state.”
Reports have further highlighted the troubling conditions these detainees face, which include allegations of torture, inhumane treatment, fines, and some even undergoing forced psychiatric evaluations. Ihor Kyzym, a Ukrainian diplomat who has served in various capacities, notes that at least 12 Ukrainians in Belarus have faced similar “extremism” charges linked to supposed connections with Ukrainian security services, resulting in prison sentences as well.
Among those convicted are a 16-year-old student, a Ukrainian government official, and individuals with familial ties in Belarus. The country shares a lengthy border of 1,084 kilometers (670 miles) with Ukraine, and there are deep-rooted cultural and historical connections that bind the two nations. Many residents in southern Belarus have relatives across the border, which adds a further dimension of concern to the recent actions taken against anti-war advocates.
Lukashenko, who has maintained control over Belarus for over three decades, has relied heavily on Russian financial help and support. As tensions rose in February 2022, he permitted Russian forces to utilize Belarusian territory as a launchpad for their invasion of Ukraine, and has also facilitated the stationing of some Russian tactical nuclear weapons within Belarusian borders.
As the January presidential election approaches, where Lukashenko is vying for a seventh term, there has been a noticeable escalation in governmental crackdowns on dissent. The Interior Ministry announced anti-riot training exercises recently, signaling that authorities remain unyielding towards potential protests.
In the wake of considerable dissent following the contentious 2020 presidential elections, which saw widespread protests, Belarusian authorities launched a harsh crackdown that resulted in approximately 65,000 arrests. Key opposition figures were either jailed or forced to flee, and human rights organizations estimate that about 1,300 political prisoners are currently held, many facing inadequate medical treatment and severed connections with their families.
Recent weeks have witnessed an intensification of this crackdown, with hundreds being arrested in targeted raids that focus on the relatives and friends of political prisoners, as well as ongoing surveillance of online discussions among residents sharing information within their communities.
Simultaneously, Lukashenko has released a select number of political prisoners, seemingly indicating a willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States and the European Union. These entities have previously enacted sanctions in response to his oppressive measures against dissenters. On Wednesday, his administration announced the release of another 32 individuals classified as political prisoners, part of a total of 146 pardoned since July. This latest group consisted of those with health issues who had submitted pardon requests and expressed remorse for their actions.
According to Pavel Sapelka from Viasna, the government’s messages remain inconsistent, mixing heightened repressive measures with sporadic pardons granted to lesser-known individuals. He pointed out that more than 200 people have been arrested just in November alone, with several activists recently facing convictions that lead to lengthy prison terms.