Freedom Day: Government Sanctioned Or Belarus' Future?

Freedom Day in Belarus is an unofficial public holiday celebrated on March 25 to commemorate the country's declaration of independence from Russia in 1918. Despite being an unofficial holiday, it is widely celebrated by the Belarusian diaspora and the opposition movement, which stands up against the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenko. The day highlights the democratic legacy of the first independent Belarusian state and is recognised by the United States, with US presidents traditionally issuing official greetings to the Belarusian-American community. However, the Belarusian government does not recognise Freedom Day, claiming that the country was under German occupation in 1918 when the independence declaration was made. The celebrations have often been met with mass detention and torture of protesters, journalists, and human rights defenders by the Belarusian authorities.

Freedom Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on 25 March

Since the early 1920s, Freedom Day has been celebrated as Belarus's Independence Day by the Belarusian independence movement, and it is widely celebrated by the Belarusian diaspora. The day is marked by rallies and protests against the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenko, which have been met with mass detention and torture of protesters, journalists, and human rights activists.

In the United States, it is traditional for governors and presidents to issue official greetings to the Belarusian-American community on 25 March. The US government has also taken steps to support a democratic Belarus, including imposing sanctions on state-owned enterprises and individuals who support the Lukashenka regime's brutality.

The Lukashenka regime does not recognise Freedom Day, claiming that the BDR was created by the Germans during their occupation of Belarus in 1918. However, in recent years, the authorities have somewhat rolled back some of the crackdowns and criticism, allowing celebrations to take place in Minsk and other regions without large-scale repression.

Despite the risks, brave Belarusians continue to stand up for an independent, stable, and democratic future for their country, pushing forward for a free Belarus.

The day commemorates the declaration of independence by the Belarusian Democratic Republic in 1918

Freedom Day in Belarus is an unofficial holiday celebrated on 25 March. It commemorates the declaration of independence by the Belarusian Democratic Republic in 1918, after 150 years of Russian occupation. The day is widely celebrated by the Belarusian diaspora and the country's opposition movement.

The first independent Belarusian state was formed on 25 March 1918, under German occupation, creating the Belarusian People's Republic. However, the territory of Belarus was soon divided between Poland and Soviet Russia following the Polish-Soviet War. Since then, the Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic has existed as a government in exile—currently the world's longest-serving.

Despite not having official recognition, Freedom Day has been celebrated as the Independence Day of Belarus by the Belarusian independence movement since the early 1920s. Traditionally, US presidents and governors have issued official greetings to the Belarusian-American community on this day.

The Belarusian opposition to the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenko (also known as Alyaksandr Lukashenka) annually celebrates Freedom Day with protests. These demonstrations have been met with mass detention and torture of protesters, journalists, and human rights defenders by the government. In 2017, for instance, authorities arbitrarily detained at least 700 people, including over 100 journalists and 60 human rights activists, in connection with peaceful protests.

In 2021, Freedom Day was the last day of protest marches against the alleged fraudulent 2020 Belarusian presidential election, with more than 200 people arrested. In 2024, the Investigative Committee of Belarus announced criminal cases against participants in emigrant Freedom Day celebrations, with information about 104 individuals who took part in the celebrations abroad.

The US government supports a democratic, sovereign, and stable Belarus

Freedom Day in Belarus is an unofficial holiday celebrated on 25 March. It commemorates the declaration of independence by the Belarusian Democratic Republic in 1918, after 150 years of Russian occupation. The day is widely celebrated by the Belarusian diaspora and the opposition movement against the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenko.

Despite the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine, brave Belarusians continue to stand up for an independent, stable, and democratic future for Belarus. In the face of the Lukashenka regime’s brutal and systemic crackdown on all sectors of Belarusian society, the Belarusian democratic movement and civil society still courageously push forward for a free Belarus.

On Belarus Freedom Day 2023, the United States took action to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its human rights abuses against the Belarusian people and its role in facilitating the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against state-owned enterprises and individuals supporting the regime’s brutality. Additionally, visa restrictions were imposed on 14 individuals under Presidential Proclamation 8015 for their involvement in undermining democracy.

The US government's actions demonstrate its unwavering support for a democratic, sovereign, and stable Belarus, standing with the brave Belarusians who continue to fight for their freedom and independence.

The Belarusian government does not recognise Freedom Day

Freedom Day in Belarus is an unofficial public holiday celebrated on 25 March. It commemorates the declaration of independence by the Belarusian Democratic Republic in 1918, after 150 years of Russian occupation. However, the current Belarusian government does not recognise Freedom Day.

The Belarusian government, led by Alexander Lukashenko, claims that the Belarusian Democratic Republic was created by the Germans during their occupation of Belarus in 1918. Lukashenko has described Freedom Day as a dismal page in our history. This stance has led to a crackdown on celebrations and protests held on this day, with mass detentions and torture of protesters, journalists, and human rights defenders.

Despite the government's refusal to recognise Freedom Day, there have been some concessions in recent years. In 2018, authorities granted permission for a ceremony and concert in Minsk with 11,000 attendants to mark the centenary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. In 2019, events in Minsk and other regions took place without large-scale repression. However, in 2021, more than 200 people were arrested during protest marches against the alleged fraudulent 2020 Belarusian presidential election.

The United States and the Belarusian opposition continue to recognise and celebrate Freedom Day, standing up for an independent, stable, and democratic future for Belarus. The US has taken action to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for human rights abuses and its role in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Human rights abuses have been reported during Freedom Day protests

Freedom Day, celebrated on the 25th of March, is an unofficial holiday in Belarus that commemorates the country's declaration of independence in 1918. The day is marked by protests from the Belarusian opposition to the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, which are regularly accompanied by mass detention and torture of protesters. Human rights abuses have been reported during these Freedom Day protests.

In March 2017, authorities across Belarus arbitrarily detained at least 700 people in connection with peaceful protests, including more than 100 journalists and 60 human rights activists. Police officers punched, kicked, and abused many of the detainees. Courts in Minsk and other cities swiftly sentenced 177 people, including journalists and human rights activists, to fines or detention on fabricated misdemeanor charges.

In the lead-up to and during the 2021 Freedom Day protests, the Belarusian authorities threatened and cracked down on protesters, raising serious concerns about the potential for severe violence. Amnesty International called for international action to protect the rights of peaceful protesters, urging diplomatic representatives in the country to monitor the protests and live-stream events. Marie Struthers, Amnesty International's Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, stated:

> "The authorities in Belarus have indicated clearly enough that they are prepared and have every intention of turning Freedom Day protests into yet another scene of appalling violence if they are confronted with protests similar to last year's. Over the past eight months, the Belarusian government has presided over a human rights crisis marked by mass arbitrary arrests, imprisonment of journalists, unlawful use of force during protests, and torture and killing of peaceful protesters."

The 2021 Freedom Day protests were expected to be marked by nationwide protests, with Belarus's exiled leading opposition figure, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, calling for global solidarity with Belarusians on this day. However, law enforcement and government figures made alarming statements indicating the possibility of a violent response. Belarus's Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Mikalai Karpenkau, described the expected protesters as "fascist henchmen" and promised to "deal with them" using methods that had already been worked out.

The United States has also taken action to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its human rights abuses against the Belarusian people. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions targeting state-owned enterprises and individuals who support the regime's brutality. Additionally, visa restrictions were imposed on 14 individuals involved in undermining democracy.

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