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.

September 23 marks one year since dictator Lukashenka refused to step down after losing the August 2020 presidential election in Belarus and instead held a secret “inauguration” in the presence of a few dozen confidants. This stealthy attempt to formalize his illegal and undemocratic power grab only exposed and solidified his illegitimacy and provoked an unprecedented pushback from the democratic forces in Belarus and the international community. Over the past year, Lukashenka retained a semblance of power and influence in the country only thanks to a terror campaign against civil society perpetrated by his security forces and generous Russian support.

How Belarus’ “Cyber Partisans” exposed secrets of Lukashenka’s crackdowns. Belarusian opposition leader urges “decisive action” to resolve standoff. Belarus accused of using Interpol to harass opponents abroad. 4 found dead, 7 more hospitalized on Belarus-Poland border. Belarus suspends probe into killing of anti-government protester. Belarus’ dictator poses growing threat to Ukraine. Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s statement on Zapad 2021 military exercises. Belarus leader reviews joint Russian military drills, touts $1 bln arms deals. Tsikhanouskaya’s team discuss with Ukrainian politicians termination of cooperation with Lukashenka’s regime. John Oliver unveils teddy bear plan to get under Belarusian dictator’s skin.

Putin and Lukashenka move to integrate economies of Russia and Belarus. Russia begins major military drills with Belarus after moves toward closer integration. IOM concerned for migrants facing “dire conditions” at EU-Belarus border. Lukashenka wants to suspend EU agreement on migrants. IMF to launch virtual mission to Belarus to gather data on economy. Belarus and Europe’s new Iron Curtain. German President and Chancellor assure Poland of backing in crisis with Belarus. U.N. blocked from monitoring rights abuses in Belarus, envoy says. Secretary of State statement on sentencing of Belarusian opposition figures. RBC: Belarus starts negotiations about $3 bln loan. Belarus’ export up by 32.2% to $26bn in January-July. Deciphering Russia’s Zapad-21 strategic military exercise.

Belarus opposition leader sentenced to 11 years in prison. Lukashenka and Putin will sign all road maps on integration of Belarus and Russia. Putin militarizes Belarus. The IMF needs to sync its Belarus policy with the West. RSF urges international support for “persecuted” Belarusian journalists. Belarusian Cyber Partisans want to overthrow the regime through hacking. Broadening the pressure on the Lukashenka regime. Russian military to create Russian-Belarusian combat training center in Hrodna. Europe’s latest migrant crisis leaves refugees stuck between two borders. Belarus authorities close down environmental watchdog Ecodom. Cummins stops cooperation with BelAZ. Lithuania pushes for E.U. ban on Belavia leases. “I ask to stand up for good”: Political prisoner Ihar Losik sends letter to Pope Francis. Belarus journalist chosen as inaugural winner of Hinzpeter Awards.

On behalf of the Belarusian-American community, the Belarus Freedom Forum would like to thank President Joseph R. Biden for meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We hope this meeting signifies a new stage in the American re-engagement and a prospect for tighter ties with Eastern Europe, which will help to promote democracy, security, and prosperity in the region. Last week Ukrainians around the world celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of regaining their state independence.

Last year, we saw a million people on the streets of Belarus. Those people have not disappeared, their opinion of Lukashenka did not change (Images from August 23, 30 protests in 2020). Top Stories Aug 23: IMF gives €850m to Belarus despite fierce opposition The IMF awarded a payment totaling $1 billion to Belarus despite the lack of recognition of the current Belarusian government by the international community. The move comes shortly after the new economic sanctions have been imposed on Belarus and amid the talks about the need for even stricter ones, which makes the timing very inappropriate.