Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Congressmen James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) signed a bipartisan letter urging Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to give Special Student Relief eligibility to Belarusian students in the U.S. and extend Temporary Protective Status to Belarusian democracy activists in the U.S.

“We will massacre all the scum that you, the West, have been financing. You are upset we destroyed all your structures, all your NGO’s and all those you have been paying for.” These were the words of the ruler of Belarus Lukashenka about the hundreds of people’s initiatives and nongovernmental organizations crushed by the state in 2021. The fact is, the majority of targeted organizations were nothing but human and animal rights activists, journalistic associations, community focused groups and organizations that help people with disabilities. This interview with BBC’s own Steve Rosenberg, however, revealed more than just Lukashenka’s fear of initiatives which are common in Western democracies. It revealed the interconnection between the migrant crisis, the repressions against civil society in Belarus, and the Belarusian dictator’s unwavering thirst for power.

Lukashenka’s escalation of the refugee crisis at the EU border indicates his apparent confidence in Putin’s support and Russian contributions to sustain the Belarusian economy. Claiming that he has nothing to do with the hybrid warfare at the Eastern EU border, Putin revealed his intentions and provided support to his ally, Lukashenka. Both Lukashenka and Putin are using the situation to increase the number of troops and military equipment in Belarus and in the Western direction. While the world is focused on the border crisis, Lukashenka continues usurping the power through repressions, eradicating all independent media and civil society, postponing the local elections, and preparing the referendum on the constitutional change.

Border Crisis continues to destabilize Europe. Belarus closes last U.S. diplomacy offices. New prospects of integration with Russia. Journalist charged with “Treason” for investigating riot police. German broadcaster DW blocked in Belarus. Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich speaks about human rights in Belarus. Western envoys in Minsk commemorate victims of soviet terror.

Belarus scraps short-lived mask mandates amid virus surge. Belgium is pushing to dilute the E.U.’s Belarus potash sanctions. Germany sees key to Belarus migrant problem in Moscow. EU Ministers discuss new measures against Belarus over migrants. Poland doubles troops on border with Belarus. PEN: Violations of human rights against cultural workers 2021. Belarus and Russia prepare joint military doctrine. Belarus’ opposition leader send message to India. Belarusian man revealed videos of torture in Russian prisons.

French ambassador ordered out of Belarus. Seven years in prison for following a Telegram channel. The E.U. accuses Belarus of luring global migrants into other European countries. Belarusians live in an increasingly divided country. Ministry of Justice suspends Tsikhanouski’s key lawyer Natallia Matskevich. Belarus to close New York consulate “at U.S. request.” iSANS analyst Alexander Morozov goes through factors that will play out in the politics of Russia and Belarus in the next few years. Estonia: Events in Belarus threaten the stability of our region. Belarus regime “has used football as propaganda.”

On October 13, the School of Politics, Security, & International Affairs at the University of Central Florida hosted a speaker panel on the uncommon resilience and future of the democratic movement in Belarus, featuring representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Foreign Affairs Valery Kavaleuski, political science researcher at Vytautas Magnus University Dr. Tatsiana Chulitskaya, and historian and Distinguished University professor at University of Alberta Dr. David Marples.

European Parliament votes for resolution on Belarus. Gulagu.net: Russian special services assisted Belarusian counterparts in torturing protesters in 2020. Russian paper shuts Belarus branch after journalist’s arrest. Belarus authorities purge hundreds of human rights defenders. Pandora Papers: Belarusian elites’ golden deal with Zimbabwe. In Iraq Kurdish town, many undertake smuggling route to Europe via Belarus. Belarusian Colonel gets two years in prison after attending anti-Lukashenka rally. Lukashenka’s pliant Parliament pledges new repression. Visa-free travel to Belarus from the United States is cancelled. Gazprom cuts gas to EU via Belarus by 70 percent. Finland opens investigations after migrants from Belarus arrive via Estonia. Moody’s changes its outlook on Belarus from ‘stable’ to ‘negative.’

Shooting in Minsk, dozens detained over social-media comments. Belarus should face further action over plane diversion, U.S. nominee says. Belarus’ Kalesnikava awarded Vaclav Havel Human Rights prize. Washington Post Opinion: Lukashenka is exploiting migrants as a weapon against his neighbors; the E.U. must stop him. Former Naftan legal advisor detained in Russia and handed over to Belarusian KGB. EU official: No dealing with ‘desperate’ Lukashenka. Eurasian Economic Commission coordinating EAEU response to Western sanctions.

Fifth migrant dies in Belarus border area. Human rights in Belarus continue downward spiral, warns the UN commissioner on human rights. Report highlights Belarus’s ‘repressive’ campaign against internet freedom. Supreme Court rules to close down World Association of Belarusians. Detained employees of Hrodna Azot are put in KGB jail. The future of the Eurasian Economic Union. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) Hearing: Seeking Justice and Freedom in Belarus. Russia fears Belarusization of Belarus.