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.

Collage series dedicated to the events 2020 in Minsk - Artist: Carolina Poliakowa Top Stories Aug 16: Belarusian activist who slit his own throat in court gets lengthy prison term Political prisoner Stsiapan Latypau was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison and a $4,000 fine on Monday, as the prosecution requested. Latypau pleaded not guilty to all charges. Earlier, he attempted suicide in the courtroom, alleging pressure to enter a guilty plea under threats of retaliation to his family.

Project Cell #18 is a collection of stories from Akrestina prison where 36 women were kept in a 4-person cell for days without access to food, water or clean air Top Stories Aug 12: Belarus to get $1 billion from IMF, undermining U.S. push Belarus’s authoritarian regime is set to get almost a $1 billion lifeline from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on August 23. The IMF insists that its actions are guided by the international community, which “continues to deal with the current government in Belarus”.

August 9 marks one year anniversary of peaceful protests movement in Belarus Top Stories Aug 2: Poland grants Belarus Olympic sprinter Tsimanouskaya a humanitarian visa Krystina Tsimanouskaya, who narrowly escaped a forced return to Belarus from the Tokyo Olympics, has been granted a humanitarian visa in Poland. The sprinter’s place on the Olympic team was abruptly revoked after she criticized the Belarusian athletics federation on her social media. The Team Belarus’ personnel escorted her to the airport, where she narrowly escaped boarding the flight by turning to Japanese police.

Here are scripts you can use when you call the offices of your elected officials to ask them to join their respective Belarus Caucuses. Call the Washington, DC office. When you call, ask to speak with the foreign policy advisor. If they are unavailable, leave a message with the Receptionist asking the Representative to join the Caucus. If you get voice mail, leave a message. Thank you! Use this link to find your Representative and Senators and their contact information: