Helping Belarus: How To Support The Country's Democracy Struggles

Belarus has been facing a grave political crisis since August 2020, when the country's autocratic ruler, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, rigged the presidential election in his favour. In response, Belarusians have been taking to the streets in protest, calling for Lukashenka's resignation, free and fair elections, and fundamental reforms. Lukashenka has responded to these protests with brutal repression, persecuting members of the opposition and civil society actors with violence, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests. As of 2023, more than 250 people have been recognised as political prisoners by a local human rights group, and hundreds of charitable associations have been forcibly dissolved or driven into exile. In light of these events, here are some ways in which individuals and governments can help Belarus:

Provide financial support to human rights defenders

Providing financial support to human rights defenders in Belarus is a crucial way to help the country. Here are some ways to do this:

Donate to Organisations

Donating to organisations that support human rights defenders in Belarus is one of the most effective ways to help. The Belarus Solidarity Fund, for example, provides financial aid to activists, journalists, independent media outlets, civil society leaders, and victims of government repression. The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is another organisation that helps keep the pro-democracy movement in Belarus relevant through op-eds, blog posts, and podcasts. They also provide direct financial support to individuals and organisations that promote democracy in the country.

Support Victims of the Regime

The regime in Belarus has resulted in the persecution of many individuals, including peaceful protesters, opposition supporters, and journalists. Supporting these victims of the regime financially can help ease the burden they face. This can include providing funds to organisations or groups that directly aid these individuals, such as the solidarity funds created by Belarusian society and funded primarily by Belarusians, which provide financial support to victims of reprisals and émigrés.

Support NGOs Investigating Torture Allegations

Human rights defenders in Belarus need financial resources to document allegations of torture, identify perpetrators, and gather evidence for future investigations and sanctions. International human rights activists can also play a role by starting the investigation process outside the country with support from Belarusian NGOs.

Support Stable Residence in Host Countries

Granting human rights defenders and civil society activists stable residence in host countries outside Belarus is another way to provide financial support. This includes facilitating their work, providing social benefits to them and their families, and easing the process of registering their new legal entities and accessing funding.

Provide Adequate Financial Aid

Adequate financial aid and funding should be provided to human rights defenders and civil society activists who remain in Belarus and are willing to carry out their work there. This aid should be continuous and increasing, with guarantees for the safety of the beneficiaries.

By providing financial support to human rights defenders in Belarus, individuals and organisations can play a crucial role in supporting the country's pro-democracy movement and easing the suffering of those affected by the regime.

Support investigations into allegations of torture

Supporting investigations into allegations of torture in Belarus is crucial to ensuring accountability and justice for victims. Here are some ways to help:

Document and gather evidence: Human rights defenders and NGOs should work to thoroughly document and gather evidence of torture allegations. This includes collecting testimonies from victims and witnesses, as well as medical records, photographs, and video recordings that can corroborate the claims. This evidence will be crucial for future investigations and prosecutions.

Support independent investigations: International human rights organisations and activists can provide support to Belarusian NGOs in conducting investigations. This may involve providing resources, expertise, and assistance in documenting and preserving evidence. Given the challenges of conducting investigations within Belarus, external support is vital to ensuring thorough and impartial inquiries.

Engage international organisations: The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations (UN) can play a pivotal role in investigating allegations of torture. Their involvement adds legitimacy and international pressure, increasing the likelihood of accountability. Engaging these organisations and urging them to take action is crucial.

Push for media coverage: The media plays a vital role in shedding light on human rights abuses. By sharing stories and testimonies of victims, the world can better understand the extent and severity of torture allegations in Belarus. This can also help to build public support for investigations and pressure those in power to take action.

Call for accountability and justice: Advocate for accountability and justice for victims of torture. This includes calling for the prosecution of individuals responsible for torture and pushing for reparations for victims. Supporting victims and survivors in their journey towards healing and justice is essential.

These actions can help to address the allegations of torture in Belarus and bring those responsible to justice. It is important to work collaboratively with Belarusian activists and organisations to ensure that any support provided is effective and responsive to their needs.

Support independent media and civil society

Since the 2020 rigged presidential election, Belarusians have been protesting against electoral fraud, state violence, and the persecution of members of the political opposition and civil society actors. The regime has responded with violence and intimidation, and the human rights situation in the country has deteriorated significantly.

Support Independent Media

Independent media outlets play a crucial role in exposing the truth about what is happening in Belarus. They provide information to the world about the protests, the government's response, and the impact on citizens. Supporting independent media can involve:

• Financial donations to help them continue their work and cover the costs of equipment, staffing, and distribution.
• Amplifying their content by sharing articles, videos, and other materials on social media and other platforms to help spread awareness.
• Providing technical support and expertise to enhance their ability to operate safely and effectively, especially if they are working in exile or facing censorship and restrictions within Belarus.

Protect and Empower Journalists

Journalists in Belarus are at risk of persecution, arrest, and violence. Supporting them involves:

• Lobbying for the protection of journalists by advocating for their rights and safety, including through international organizations and diplomatic channels.
• Providing legal assistance and representation to journalists who have been arrested or are facing legal repercussions due to their work.
• Offering temporary relocation or residency programmes for journalists at risk, in collaboration with other countries or through international organizations.

Support Civil Society Organizations

Civil society organizations, such as charities and NGOs, are vital for providing assistance to victims of state repression and promoting democratic values. Ways to support them include:

• Financial contributions to their programmes, which can be directed towards emergency relief, legal aid, or long-term development initiatives.
• Capacity-building support to help them operate more effectively, such as training, strategic planning, and access to technology.
• Advocacy and representation to amplify their voices and help them gain access to decision-makers and international forums.

Promote Education and Academic Freedom

Students, doctoral candidates, and researchers are crucial for fostering critical thinking and an informed citizenry. Supporting them involves:

• Scholarship programmes and exchange opportunities to help them continue their education, especially if they are at risk of persecution or unable to pursue their studies in Belarus.
• Funding and resources for academic institutions and research organizations to promote independent thinking and knowledge creation.
• Academic freedom initiatives to protect the rights of students and scholars to express their opinions and conduct their research without fear of retribution.

Provide humanitarian aid to victims of human rights abuses

Providing humanitarian aid to victims of human rights abuses in Belarus is crucial to supporting those who bravely stand up against the oppressive regime. Here are some ways to help:

Direct Financial Support and Assistance:

Individuals can donate to organisations like the Belarus Solidarity Fund, which provides extensive assistance to individuals and organisations supporting democracy and human rights in Belarus. The fund offers direct aid to those facing the brunt of the regime's repression, including activists, journalists, workers, and civil society leaders.

Support Independent Media and Journalists:

The Belarusian regime has targeted independent media outlets and journalists, forcing many into exile. Supporting these independent voices is crucial to countering state propaganda and spreading awareness about the situation in Belarus. Individuals can donate to initiatives like the Belarusian Journalism Initiative, which helps independent journalists and media outlets continue their work after fleeing the country.

Advocate for Political Prisoners and Dissidents:

Write letters and spread awareness about the plight of political prisoners, such as Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Pavel Latushka, and Maria Maroz, who have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms on trumped-up charges. Put international pressure on the Belarusian government to secure their release and ensure their safety.

Support Human Rights Organisations:

Organisations like Viasna in Belarus and Amnesty International are doing vital work to defend human rights and document abuses. Support them financially, spread awareness about their work, and add your voice to their calls for change.

Push for International Action:

Call on your government and international organisations to take a strong stance against human rights abuses in Belarus. Advocate for targeted sanctions against the regime and its supporters, push for monitoring groups to be present on the ground, and demand fair and free elections.

By taking these actions, individuals can play a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid and supporting the victims of human rights abuses in Belarus. Together, we can make a difference and help bring an end to the suffering of the Belarusian people.

Impose sanctions on Lukashenka and his regime

The US Department of State has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 19 regime officials and their affiliates, including Lukashenka, to promote accountability for the Lukashenka regime's continued repression of Belarusians. These sanctions are in response to the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus four years ago and the violent repression of Belarusian citizens living inside and outside the country. The US reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of almost 1,400 political prisoners held by the Lukashenka regime.

The US is not alone in its efforts to impose sanctions on Lukashenka and his regime. In coordination with allies and partners from Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, additional sanctions actions are being taken. The Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on 19 individuals and 14 entities, in addition to identifying one aircraft as blocked property.

These sanctions target those involved in efforts to misuse Interpol systems to target Belarusian dissidents abroad, the physical abuse and reported torture of pro-democracy activists, disbarring attorneys for representing these activists, tracking and arresting citizens who subscribe to social media sites that carry content criticizing the regime, and granting permission for armed servicemen to violently disperse peaceful protests in 2020.

The EU has also imposed sanctions on Lukashenka and his regime, including entry bans and account freezes against 88 representatives of the Belarusian state apparatus and seven Belarusian companies with ties to Lukashenka. However, compared to the sanctions imposed after the 2010 repressions, these sanctions are slow and limited in their scope and impact.

To effectively support a democratic transfer of power in Minsk and hold Russia accountable for its support of Lukashenka, the EU must enhance its engagement and increase the pressure on Moscow to withdraw its support for the regime. This could include sanctions against Russia, such as those against the Nordstream 2 pipeline.

Frequently asked questions