Belarus's Dictatorship: Who's Trying To Stop It?

Alexander Lukashenko, the current president of Belarus, has been labelled 'Europe's last dictator' by the media. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and has been accused of rigging elections, suppressing opponents, and limiting media freedom. In response, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States have refused to recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus and have imposed sanctions on him and other Belarusian officials. However, it is worth noting that Belarus is not the only country in Europe with an authoritarian regime, and countries like Russia and Azerbaijan also face similar criticisms. While the international community has taken some actions to address the situation in Belarus, it remains to be seen if these efforts will lead to significant change.

The UK, EU, and US have refused to recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus

Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, has been accused of stealing elections, crushing dissent, and dismantling democracy. He has been labelled by the media as "Europe's last dictator". International monitors have not regarded Belarusian elections as free and fair, except for his initial win. The government suppresses opponents and limits media freedom. This has resulted in multiple Western governments imposing sanctions on Lukashenko and other Belarusian officials.

Following the 2020 presidential election, which was marred by allegations of widespread electoral fraud, Lukashenko's victory was disputed. Consequently, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States refused to recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus. The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stated that the bloc would use all available tools to contribute to ending the violent repression in Belarus. The EU imposed sanctions on individuals responsible for violence, repression, and election falsification, with more than 30 Belarusian officials facing sanctions.

The UK, EU, and US's refusal to recognise Lukashenko sent a strong message of support for the Belarusian people and their demands for free and fair elections. This stance also served as a form of diplomatic pressure on the Lukashenko regime, aiming to encourage a transition to democracy and respect for human rights.

The stance taken by these countries had significant implications for Belarus's international relations and isolation. It pushed Lukashenko further towards Russia, with whom he already maintained close ties. This dynamic was evident in Russia's support for Lukashenko during the 2020 protests and the subsequent imposition of sanctions by the UK, EU, and US.

The US, UK, and Canada have refused to recognise the results of the 2020 election

The disputed election, which saw Alexander Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term as President of Belarus, was marred by allegations of widespread electoral fraud. Opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed she received between 60 and 70% of the vote and formed a Coordination Council to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power. Mass protests erupted across Belarus following the election, with demonstrators facing harsh government suppression.

The refusal of Western countries to recognise the election results is part of a broader context of international efforts to curb Lukashenko's authoritarian rule. Lukashenko has been labelled by the media as "Europe's last dictator", and his government has been characterised by the suppression of opponents, restrictions on media freedom, and the centralisation of power. The disputed 2020 election further amplified anti-government protests, which have been met with a harsh response, including the arrest of approximately 65,000 participants.

The ongoing oppression in Belarus has resulted in the imprisonment, exile, or forced disappearance of major opposition leaders. Human rights observers have identified around 1,300 political prisoners in Belarusian detention centres, with reports of prisoners being deprived of adequate medical care and communication with their families. The crackdown on dissent has extended to participants in online chats, with more than 100 people arrested across the country, targeting those in apartment building chat groups that the government accuses of being part of an "extremist" network.

The US, UK, and Canada's refusal to recognise the 2020 election results aligns with their broader rejection of Lukashenko's authoritarian rule and support for the Belarusian opposition. This stance has contributed to Belarus's international isolation and increased dependence on Russia, with Lukashenko fostering close ties with Vladimir Putin. The international community's response to the disputed election and ongoing human rights abuses in Belarus highlights a concerted effort to address the country's political situation.

The EU has imposed sanctions and visa bans on Lukashenko and other Belarusian officials

The European Union has imposed sanctions and visa bans on Alexander Lukashenko and other Belarusian officials. This includes a travel ban, prohibiting Lukashenko and 156 of his associates from travelling to EU member countries. The EU has also supported economic and political reforms to help integrate the Belarusian state.

The sanctions were imposed in response to Lukashenko's suppression of opponents and limits on media freedom. International monitors have not regarded Belarusian elections as free and fair, except for his initial win in 1994. Lukashenko's disputed victory in the 2020 presidential election, which was marred by allegations of vote-rigging, led to mass protests and the largest anti-government demonstrations during his rule.

The EU's actions are part of a broader effort by Western governments to address the authoritarian nature of Lukashenko's regime. The United Kingdom and the United States have also refused to recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus following the 2020 election.

The US has warned that the 2020 election was not free [or] fair

The US has warned that the 2020 election in Belarus was not free or fair. The US Ambassador to the OSCE, Michael R. Carpenter, stated that the US condemns the "sham" parliamentary and local elections held in February 2024, which were preceded by the fraudulent presidential election of 2020. The US asserts that the Belarusian authorities have systematically worked to destroy civil society organizations, silence independent media, and eliminate political opposition. The human rights situation in the country has deteriorated, with over 1,400 documented political prisoners, including some who have died in custody.

The US stands with the people of Belarus, supporting their right to participate in free and fair elections. The US calls for the release of all political prisoners and an end to the crackdown on political dissent. The US is not alone in its condemnation, as the European Union and several countries have imposed sanctions on Belarusian officials deemed responsible for "violence, repression, and election fraud."

The 2020 Belarusian presidential election, which took place on August 9, was marred by allegations of widespread electoral fraud. The incumbent, Alexander Lukashenko, was declared the winner with just over 80% of the vote, despite opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claiming victory with at least 60%. All seven members of the Coordination Council Presidium formed by Tsikhanouskaya's campaign were subsequently arrested or forced into exile.

The election was characterized by a tightly controlled climate of fear and repression, designed to muzzle freedom of expression and suppress peaceful assembly. The authorities had pre-approved all candidates and liquidated opposition parties. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) was prevented from observing the elections by the Lukashenka regime, which feared an impartial assessment. However, the stage-managed nature of the process was evident to the world.

The US, along with other countries and organizations, has recognized the flawed nature of the 2020 election in Belarus and has taken a stand against the country's authoritarian dictatorship. The ongoing repression has led to the imprisonment or exile of major opposition leaders, and the situation continues to deteriorate, with increasing human rights violations.

The EU has excluded members of the Belarusian Olympic Committee from all IOC events

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has excluded Belarusian athletes from the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. The athletes will not be allowed to take part in the traditional parade at the opening ceremony on July 26, 2024, instead of the normal parade of teams inside a stadium, thousands of athletes will travel on boats down the River Seine toward the Eiffel Tower. The Belarusian athletes who are approved to compete at the Olympics as neutrals will only have a chance to "experience the event", likely by watching from near the river. The IOC decision follows the International Paralympic Committee, which had announced a ban for its Paris opening ceremony on Aug. 28, 2024.

The IOC has laid out a two-step vetting procedure for individual athletes from Belarus to be granted neutral status. Firstly, they must be approved by the governing body of their individual sport, and then by an IOC-appointed review panel. Neutral athletes must not have publicly supported the invasion of Ukraine or be affiliated with military or state security agencies. It is still unclear if membership in a Russian military sports club will be a reason for denying neutral status.

The IOC expects about 22 athletes with Belarusian passports to qualify for the Paris Games as neutrals. A decision on whether these athletes will be allowed to take part in the closing ceremony will be taken later. Any medals won by neutral athletes will not be counted as a collective group in the overall medals table. A replacement flag in jade green will be used for neutral athletes at medal ceremonies, where a specially written anthem without lyrics will be played.

The IOC's decision to exclude Belarusian athletes from the Paris Olympics opening ceremony is a significant move that aligns with the efforts of other countries to stop Belarus's dictatorship. The exclusion sends a strong message against the oppressive regime and demonstrates the international community's commitment to holding those responsible for human rights abuses accountable.

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