UNA-ORLANDO - Belarus

BELARUS

In 1994, Belarus had its only free election since the fall of the Soviet Union, and Alexander Lukashenko became president. Leading up to the election in late 2020, opposing political candidates, activists, and media outlets, were harassed by the government. The election results claimed that President Lukashenko was reelected. However, several countries and many citizens did not honor the result. Large, ongoing protests surrounded the election and were met with hostile government response. Currently, the country has increasing tensions with Lithuania and Poland, and is facing sanctions from the European Union, Canada, Great Britain, and the United States for repressing political opposition and media outlets.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEARNING RESOURCES

2020 Presidential Election

Belarus-Lithuania Tensions

Addressing World Health

LEARNING RESOURCES

Background

Belarus crisis under the spotlight at Human Rights CouncilThe Belarus Government should end “violent crackdowns” and “increasing repression” against protesters who are still contesting the result of last month's Presidential elections, UN deputy rights chief Nada Al Nashif told the Human Rights Council on Friday.

Belarus in CrisisTwo months after Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in the presidential election, protestors in Belarus continue to take to the street to voice their discontent over the election’s legitimacy. Crackdowns against the protests have become increasingly violent, and most opposition leaders have either been jailed or have fled abroad. Speakers discuss the state of democracy in Belarus and the implications of this crisis for U.S.-Belarus and U.S.-Russia relations.

World Report 2019: Rights Trends in BelarusIn 2018, civil society activists, lawyers, rights groups, and independent media continued to face government harassment and pressure. Authorities prosecuted dozens of journalists on a variety of arbitrary grounds and adopted new restrictions on internet freedoms. Belarus remains the only European country to use the death penalty. Those condemned to death are executed by a shot to the head. Authorities do not inform families of the execution date or the burial place.

Happening Now

Belarus Expands Crackdown on Independent MediaAuthorities in Belarus raided the homes and offices of independent media outlets and civil society activists Friday, widening a crackdown on opposition in the ex-Soviet nation.

Belarus denies entry to US ambassador, cuts US Embassy staffKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Belarus on Wednesday rescinded its permission for the U.S. ambassador's appointment and told the U.S. to cut its embassy staff in retaliation for Washington’s sanctions. President Joe Biden's administration slapped Belarus with new sanctions Monday, the anniversary of last year's election in Belarus that was denounced by the opposition as rigged.

Vitaly Shishov: Head of Belarus exiles group found dead in UkraineVitaly Shishov lived in Ukraine and led a group helping people who fled the Belarus crackdown.

2020 Presidential Election

Belarus: EU 'not intimidated' by Lukashenko's migrant threat | DW | 06.07.2021Lithuania has detained at least 131 migrants over the past 24 hours, mostly from Africa and the Middle East. The EU believes that Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko is behind the influx.

Belarus protests: Here’s a look at what’s happening and why - National | Globalnews.caDemonstrations, some of them violent, have been ongoing in Belarus since Sunday, but why are people protesting? Here's a look at what's going on.

Belarus: Lukashenko accuses opposition of 'coup plot' | DW | 09.08.2021A year after his controversial reelection threw Belarus into chaos, President Alexander Lukashenko still claims his opponents are working for western powers. These levied more new sanctions on him Monday.

Belarus-Lithuania Tensions

Belarus: Unprecedented Crackdown

Lithuania, EU say Belarus using refugees as 'political weapon'Lithuania's foreign minister and the EU's top diplomat accused Belarus on Monday of using illegal migrants as a political weapon to put pressure on the European Union because of the bloc's sanctions on Minsk.

Latvia, Lithuania take action to stop migrant influx from Belarus | DW | 10.08.2021The EU countries have accused neighboring Belarus of encouraging migrants to illegally cross into the bloc in retaliation for heavy sanctions.

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