Belarus: A Country Riddled With Danger And Uncertainty

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, sharing borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Since 1994, it has been ruled by Alexander Lukashenko, who has been described as Europe's last dictator. Under his leadership, Belarus has maintained a highly centralised and authoritarian government, with a powerful secret police force that is still called the KGB.

Lukashenko has tried to preserve elements of Soviet communism, with much of the manufacturing sector remaining under state control and the main media channels loyal to the government. Elections under his rule have never been considered free or fair, and there is a high risk of arrest, questioning, or detention for those who engage in any political activity related to Belarus.

The country has also been criticised by organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for its human rights violations, including torture, ill-treatment, and persecution of non-governmental organisations, independent journalists, national minorities, and opposition politicians.

In addition, Belarus has faced international isolation due to its agreement to host the Russian private military company Wagner and deploy Russian tactical nuclear weapons on its territory. The country's role in facilitating Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to sanctions from the EU, the UK, the US, and Norway.

With a history of civil unrest, violent crackdowns on protests, and the threat of terrorism, Belarus is considered a dangerous place for both its citizens and foreign travellers.

Crackdown on dissent

Belarus has been described as "Europe's last dictatorship" and its president, Alexander Lukashenko, as "Europe's last dictator". Since 2020, when Lukashenko's disputed re-election sparked mass protests, there has been an unrelenting crackdown on dissent. This has included the use of violent force by security forces to disperse and detain demonstrators, arbitrary charges, and the abuse of the justice system to suppress all forms of dissent.

The crackdown on independent civil society organisations, NGOs, professional organisations, and ethnic and religious communities has intensified. All 12 parties opposed to the government were refused re-registration and dissolved ahead of the 2024 elections. The authorities have also targeted human rights defenders, preventing them from carrying out their work through arbitrary detention and imprisonment.

The right to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly remains severely curtailed in Belarus. Amendments to the criminal code have made it easier for authorities to mount criminal prosecutions for "crimes of an anti-state orientation" and introduced criminal liability for "discrediting" the armed forces and other government forces. Books and other printed products continue to be outlawed for featuring "extremist content", and people are routinely arrested for subscribing to "extremist" Telegram messenger channels. Individuals have also been arrested and sentenced for "insulting" officials, "discrediting" state institutions and symbols, or "inciting animosity and enmity".

The crackdown on dissent has extended to religious organisations, which have been required to undergo re-registration or face closure. Catholic priests have been arrested and beaten, and there has been continued persecution of the New Life Protestant church, which was demolished in June 2024.

The authorities have also targeted lawyers defending victims of politically motivated prosecutions, with reports of imprisonment, disbarment, and the refusal of licence extensions in retaliation for performing professional duties.

The scale of the crackdown has led to an estimated 350,000 people leaving Belarus since 2020, resulting in workforce shortages.

Civil rights abuses

Belarus has been described as "Europe's last dictatorship", ruled by an authoritarian government led by Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994. The country has a poor human rights record, with civil rights abuses including the suppression of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, as well as religious discrimination, and the abuse of the justice system to suppress dissent.

Freedom of Expression

Amendments to the criminal code have made it easier for authorities to prosecute individuals for "crimes of an anti-state orientation" and introduced liability for "discrediting" the armed forces and government. Books and other printed materials featuring "extremist content" are outlawed, and people are routinely arrested for subscribing to "extremist" Telegram channels. Individuals have been sentenced for "insulting" officials, "discrediting" state institutions, and "inciting animosity and enmity".

Freedom of Association

There has been a crackdown on independent civil society organizations, NGOs, professional organizations, and ethnic and religious communities. All 12 parties opposed to the government were refused re-registration and dissolved ahead of the 2024 elections. Arbitrary charges of "extremism" have been used to close civil society organizations, and individuals have been arrested for "financing extremist activities".

Freedom of Religion and Belief

As part of the crackdown on dissent, all religious organizations have been required to re-register or face closure. There has been continued repression against Catholic priests and the New Life Protestant church, with priests being beaten during searches and church buildings demolished.

Freedom of Peaceful Assembly

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly is severely restricted, with authorities tracking down and prosecuting participants in the 2020 protests, as well as those who supported them. This includes the persecution of lawyers defending victims of politically motivated prosecution, with reports of imprisonment, disbarment, and the refusal of license extensions.

Torture and Ill-Treatment

Torture and ill-treatment are widespread and endemic, with perpetrators enjoying impunity. Individuals convicted under politically-motivated charges face harsh treatment and inhumane conditions, including denial of healthcare, contact with family, and outdoor exercise. There have been reports of detainees being badly beaten and forced to endure overcrowded jails.

Russian military activity

Belarus is considered dangerous due to the presence of Russian military activity within its borders. The country facilitates Russia's war against Ukraine, and there is a low risk that direct conflict linked to the war may spread to Belarus. Russian and Belarusian military personnel and equipment are present in several areas, including Mazyr/Mozyr, Zyabrovka, Vileyka/Viliejka, Gantsevichi/Hantsavichy, Osipovichi/Asipovichy, and Lida.

The Belarusian regime's collaboration with Russia has raised concerns in the West. The planned joint military exercises between the two countries have been a source of worry for neighbouring countries and NATO. Belarus's Defence Minister, Viktor Khrenin, announced these drills as a response to the military deployments of NATO countries near Belarus's borders. However, the specifics of these exercises, such as the precise date and location, have not been disclosed.

The Russian military build-up near Ukraine and the Belarus-EU standoff have been described as "absolutely connected" by Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's Prime Minister. He asserted that these factors contribute to a "hybrid attack" on the European Union and Ukraine. Shmyhal also expressed concern about the planned military exercises between Belarus and Russia, stating that they pose a danger not only to Ukraine but also to Poland and the Baltic countries.

The situation is unpredictable, and the potential spread of direct conflict to Belarus cannot be ruled out. The presence of Russian and Belarusian military personnel and equipment in specific areas underscores the heightened risk of military activity. The UK's FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus, and its ability to support British nationals in the event of a conflict may be limited.

Capital punishment

Belarus is the only country in Europe that continues to carry out capital punishment. The death penalty has been a part of the country's legal system since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The current national constitution allows for capital punishment for "grave crimes", which can be committed against the state or individuals. The death penalty can be imposed for a variety of crimes, including murder, terrorism, treason, conspiracy, and sabotage.

The method of execution in Belarus is a single shot to the back of the head. Executions are carried out by a member of the "committee for the execution of sentences", and the convict is typically transported to a secret location and executed within two minutes of being informed that all appeals have been rejected. The body is then buried secretly, and the family is notified.

International organisations, such as the United Nations, have criticised Belarus's methods of carrying out capital punishment. The country's use of capital punishment is also a factor in its exclusion from the Council of Europe. Despite criticism and calls for abolition, Belarus has continued to expand the application of the death penalty. For example, in 2023, President Alexander Lukashenko signed a law allowing for the death penalty to be used against officials and military servicemen convicted of high treason.

Belarus's capital punishment laws have been condemned by human rights organisations such as Amnesty International, which has called the practice "the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment". The organisation has also raised concerns about the Belarusian government's vague definition of "terrorism", which could be used to prosecute political dissent.

In addition to international criticism, there have been some steps taken towards reducing the imposition of the death penalty within Belarus. For example, women and individuals under the age of 18 or over 65 are now exempt from capital punishment. Additionally, life imprisonment has been introduced as an alternative sentence for certain crimes. However, public opinion polls suggest that the majority of Belarusian citizens support the retention of capital punishment for at least some grave crimes.

Political repression

Belarus has been described as "Europe's last dictatorship", ruled by an authoritarian government that has been in place since the country's first and only free election in 1994. The country's leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power for 26 years, and has been accused of rigging elections, censorship, and police crackdowns against opponents.

Since 2020, Lukashenko's regime has been accused of intensifying its crackdown on dissent, with reports of widespread torture, ill-treatment, and the suppression of civil liberties. The government has targeted independent civil society organizations, NGOs, professional organizations, and ethnic and religious communities. All 12 parties opposed to the government were refused re-registration and dissolved ahead of the 2024 elections.

The right to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly remains severely restricted in Belarus. In May, amendments to the criminal code made it easier for authorities to prosecute individuals for "crimes of an anti-state orientation" and introduced criminal liability for "discrediting" the armed forces and government forces. Books and printed products are outlawed for featuring "extremist content", and people are routinely arrested for subscribing to "extremist" Telegram channels.

The Belarusian justice system has been abused to suppress dissent, with individuals sentenced to imprisonment for "insulting" officials, "discrediting" state institutions, or "inciting animosity and enmity". The persecution of lawyers defending victims of politically motivated prosecution is also common, with reports of lawyers being imprisoned, disbarred, or refused licence extensions in retaliation for performing their professional duties.

The government has also targeted religious organizations, requiring them to undergo re-registration or face closure. Catholic priests have been arrested and beaten, and Protestant churches have been demolished and labelled as "extremist".

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly is also severely restricted, with authorities tracking down and prosecuting both peaceful protesters and those who support them, including through donations. Following the 2020 protests, there have been reports of violent clashes with opposition demonstrators, with numerous allegations of police brutality. More than 600 people were detained during the 6 September protests in Minsk and other cities.

The Belarusian government has also been accused of luring refugees and migrants to the country with false promises of easy passage into the EU, only to force them across EU borders, where they face pushbacks and abuse.

The international community, including the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, has imposed sanctions on Belarus in response to the rigged election, political oppression, and the country's role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Frequently asked questions