Avoid Belarus: A Country To Shun

The US Department of State, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the US Embassy in Belarus have all issued warnings advising against all travel to Belarus. The US Department of State has placed Belarus under 'Level 4: Do Not Travel', citing the country's facilitation of Russia's war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential for civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the limited ability of the US Embassy to assist US citizens. The UK FCDO warns of a significant risk of arrest for those who have engaged in any activity considered illegal by the Belarusian regime, as well as a low risk of direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine spreading to Belarus. The US Embassy in Belarus highlights the unpredictable situation and heightened tension in the region, with potential harassment targeted specifically at foreigners.

The risk of detention and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws

Belarus is an authoritarian state with a history of human rights abuses, including the arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the risk of detention for both locals and foreigners. Here are some key points to consider:

Arbitrary Enforcement of Laws:

• Belarusian authorities have a track record of arbitrarily enforcing laws, particularly against individuals deemed to be opposition members or critics of the regime.
• The government has broad powers to detain individuals without judicial authorization, and appeals against detention are often suppressed or ignored.
• Security officers have significant discretion in making arrests and are not required to identify themselves or state the reason for an arrest.
• The Belarusian government has targeted journalists, opposition leaders, human rights defenders, and ordinary citizens for arbitrary detention.
• The law prohibits arbitrary detention, but government officials routinely ignore this, and thousands of individuals are routinely arrested and detained for exercising fundamental freedoms or opposing the regime.

Risk of Detention:

• U.S. citizens and other foreigners travelling to Belarus face a heightened risk of arbitrary detention due to political tensions and the unpredictable nature of the security environment.
• The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Belarus, specifically citing the risk of detention and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
• Belarusian authorities have detained tens of thousands of individuals, including U.S. citizens, for alleged affiliations with opposition parties or participation in political demonstrations.
• Foreigners may be subject to surveillance, and their hotel rooms and personal belongings may be searched.
• Taking photographs of anything perceived as being of military or security interest can result in problems with the authorities.
• The risk of detention is not limited to political activists but also extends to bystanders and foreigners in the vicinity of demonstrations or protests.
• The Belarusian government has a history of harassing and detaining individuals with dual U.S.-Belarusian citizenship, and they may refuse to acknowledge their U.S. citizenship, impacting the ability to provide consular assistance.

Human Rights Abuses:

• Human rights organizations and international bodies have documented widespread human rights abuses in Belarus, including arbitrary arrests, torture, cruel and degrading treatment, harsh prison conditions, and interference with freedom of expression and assembly.
• The Belarusian security forces, including the Committee for State Security (KGB) and riot police, have been implicated in abuses, with reports of excessive force, beatings, and torture against detainees and protesters.
• Prison and detention center conditions are reported to be poor, with gross overcrowding, lack of access to food, water, medicine, and basic sanitation.
• Political prisoners, in particular, face inhumane prison conditions and are deliberately subjected to harsh treatment as a form of retribution.
• The Belarusian justice system lacks independence, and courts often convict individuals on false or politically motivated charges, with little regard for due process.
• There is limited access to fair and public trials, and authorities frequently hold trials behind closed doors, particularly in politically sensitive cases.
• The Belarusian government has engaged in transnational repression, targeting exiled opposition leaders and activists through kidnappings, forced returns, and trials in absentia.

In summary, the risk of detention and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws in Belarus are significant concerns for travellers, especially those with dual U.S.-Belarusian citizenship. The unpredictable security environment, history of human rights abuses, and arbitrary nature of law enforcement in the country pose serious risks that should be carefully considered before travelling to Belarus.

The Belarusian authorities' facilitation of Russia's war against Ukraine

The Belarusian authorities have facilitated Russia's war against Ukraine in several ways. Firstly, Belarus allowed Russian Armed Forces to conduct military drills on its territory before the start of the offensive, and these troops did not leave as scheduled. This gave Russia the shortest possible land route to Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Belarus also allowed Russia to launch part of the invasion from its territory and permitted Russian missile launchers to be stationed on its soil to shoot at Ukrainian targets.

Additionally, there have been reports of Belarusian troops fighting alongside Russians in Ukraine, although the Belarusian leader, Aleksander Lukashenko, has denied this, stating that the Belarusian Armed Forces would not directly participate in the conflict. Belarus has also allowed Russian military aircraft to launch from its military airbases and its army installations to be used to shoot artillery and missiles towards Ukraine.

The involvement of Belarus in the war has been condemned internationally, with countries such as the US, UK, and EU imposing sanctions. Belarus's participation in the conflict is believed to be unpopular among its general population, with protests being held and quickly dispersed.

The Belarusian state has also been implicated in the forced transfers of Ukrainian children to Belarus, holding them in recreational camps, and participating in Russia's psychological and informational operations that precede new phases in the war.

Due to these factors, the US and other countries have issued warnings against travelling to Belarus, citing the Belarusian authorities' facilitation of Russia's war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential for civil unrest, and the limited ability of embassies to assist citizens.

The unpredictable nature of the regional security environment

The security environment in Belarus and the surrounding region is highly unpredictable and volatile, with a number of factors contributing to the instability. Firstly, the Belarusian authorities' continued facilitation of Russia's war against Ukraine, and the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, pose significant risks. The proximity to the Ukraine conflict zone and the potential for direct conflict spreading to Belarus are key concerns.

Secondly, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential for civil unrest, and the risk of detention, particularly for those with alleged affiliations to opposition parties or participation in political demonstrations, make the environment highly unpredictable. This includes the detention of foreign nationals, as demonstrated by the forced landing of a commercial aircraft to arrest an opposition journalist.

Additionally, the limited ability of foreign embassies to assist their citizens in Belarus further exacerbates the volatile situation. The U.S. Embassy in Minsk, for example, has suspended operations and consular services, while the UK has warned that its ability to support British nationals in the event of conflict would be severely limited.

The combination of these factors creates a highly unpredictable security environment in Belarus and the surrounding region, leading to travel advisories against traveling to the country.

The possibility of harassment targeted specifically at foreigners

The situation in Belarus is highly volatile, and the region is under heightened tension due to Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine. The unpredictable security environment could deteriorate at short notice, and there is a potential risk of harassment targeted specifically at foreigners.

The Belarusian authorities have a history of arbitrarily enforcing local laws, and there is a risk of detention for both locals and foreigners. Foreigners may be placed under surveillance, and their hotel rooms, telephones, and fax machines may be monitored. Personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched, and there is a possibility of arrest or detention for bystanders, including foreign nationals, near public demonstrations.

Belarusian authorities have targeted individuals associated with independent and foreign media, and there have been instances of forced diversion of commercial aircraft to arrest opposition journalists. The authorities have also targeted individuals for their alleged affiliations with opposition parties and their alleged participation in political demonstrations.

In addition, Belarus imposes strong penalties for very broadly defined and arbitrarily enforced offences such as 'terrorism propaganda' and 'discrediting' the Belarusian government, security forces, and military organisations. Penalties may be severe, including the death penalty for 'high treason' under Belarusian law.

Furthermore, Belarus does not recognise dual nationality. If you enter Belarus with a Belarusian passport, the local authorities will treat you as a Belarusian national, even if you are a dual national. This severely limits the consular services that can be provided if you are arrested or detained.

Given the unpredictable security situation, heightened tension in the region, and the potential risk of harassment targeted at foreigners, U.S. citizens are strongly advised against travelling to Belarus.

The UK government's limited support in the event of conflict

The UK government advises against all travel to Belarus. In the unlikely event of conflict, the UK government's support will be extremely limited. The Belarusian government's limitations on staffing at the UK Embassy will severely restrict the UK's ability to provide routine or emergency services to UK citizens in Belarus.

The UK government recognises the significant risk of arrest for those who have engaged in any activity now considered illegal by the Belarusian regime. Belarus does not recognise dual nationality, so if you hold both Belarusian and British passports, the authorities will consider you a Belarusian citizen, even if you enter the country on your British passport. This further limits the support the UK government can provide.

The UK government also highlights the low risk that direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine may spread to Belarus. The situation is unpredictable, and there is heightened tension in the region. The Russian military buildup along the Belarus-Ukraine border is unusual and concerning.

If you choose to travel to Belarus against the UK government's advice, you should be aware of the limited support that will be available to you in the event of an emergency. Research your destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance that covers your itinerary, planned activities, and potential expenses in an emergency.

The US government has also issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Belarus due to the facilitation of Russia's war against Ukraine, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential for civil unrest, and the risk of detention, among other factors. The US Embassy in Minsk has limited ability to assist US citizens in Belarus.

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