Key Events: March 22-28

 

BELARUS

Mar 22: “He cut my underwear. Then he did what he did”. They wanted democracy. Instead they say they were beaten and raped by police

CNN conducted dozens of interviews with the Belarusian protesters who went through the persecutions and torture. A blood-chilling story of Sergei, the Belarusian who was detained, beaten, arrested, and fearing the subsequent imminent arrest had to flee the country illegally crossing the Belarus-Ukraine border. Had to swim through the ice chilling water to freedom and safety. Andrey was raped with a police baton to force him to unlock his phone.

Mar 22: MP on Belarus-Russia integration: Even demonstration of intent is important today

The Union State of Russian and Belarus officials are taking measures to create a common informational space for the years 2021-2025. During the March 22 meeting of the Information Policy Commission of the Union State, the Head of the Commission talked about the importance of integrating Belarus and Russia “in the context of the political turbulence.”

Mar 23: Belarusian police arrest Polish minority leader

Andzhelika Borys, the newly re-elected leader of the Union of Poles in Belarus (ZBR) and Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist and a member of the Association of Poles in Belarus, were arrested in Grodno for allegedly “violating mass gathering laws.” Polish officials are intervening in the matter. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki raised the matter during a videoconference of EU leaders.

Mar 23: Resident of Valozhyn sentenced to 15 days in jail for red stripe on his white garage

The Belarusian authorities continue their crackdown on the opposition White-Red-White colors. Syarhei Tur was detained and later sentenced to 15 days in jail for painting a red stripe over his white garage. According to his wife, Syarhei Tur was fired from his job following his arrest.

Mar 24: Why some young people are fleeing Belarus

According to the “Students Initiative Group,” an independent union of students from Belarusian universities, 415 students have been arrested, 135 have been expelled from universities, 27 face criminal charges. Two Belarusian students share their experience of fleeing from Belarus and starting a new life in Ukraine after being jailed for participating in protests, expelled from the universities, and exiled.

Mar 25: Hundreds arrested in Belarus during “Freedom Day” protest

Anti-regime protesters marched in small groups throughout Minsk on Thursday, March 25, defying the regime’s massive campaign of intimidation and preventive arrests and the heavy presence of riot police. According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry, more than 200 people were detained throughout the country.

Mar 27: Over 200 detained in Belarus protests muted by heavy security presence

On Saturday, March 27, streets in Minsk were cordoned off, filled with military and police vehicles, and guarded by riot police in an attempt to prevent further protests. According to the Viasna human rights center, at least 240 people were detained, including five journalists. Many detentions appeared to be both brutal and random. Nexta, the popular protest-related channel of the messaging app Telegram, had called its audience of 1.4 million to return to the streets. In recent months, the protests slowed down due to the regime’s brutal crackdown and mass intimidation campaign.

Mar 27: Belarus disqualified from Eurovision over anti-protest song

According to the European Broadcasting Union statement, Belarus lost its right to participation in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. In violation of the Eurovision rules, Belarus has twice submitted politically motivated songs mocking the mass anti-government protests.

INTERNATIONAL

Mar 24: Opposition in Belarus wants U.S. to renew pressure on Lukashenka’s regime

In her NPR interview, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya renewed calls for the Biden administration to provide more robust support for the Belarusian opposition and impose sanctions on middle-level officials who undermine democracy and carry out repressions in Belarus. “The goal is a peaceful transition of power. The opposition must calmly force Lukashenka to a negotiation table. The tactics should not change, and the protest must remain peaceful” says Tsikhanouskaya.

Mar 24: UN’s top human rights forum passes resolutions on Belarus, Myanmar

The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution to create an investigation team for the human rights violations against the peaceful protesters in Belarus. The resolution also “condemns the ongoing grave violations of human rights in Belarus in connection with the 2020 presidential election, including the systematic denial of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

March 24: Joint statement by 19 states in support of the establishment of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus

The International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB) is responsible for collecting information, documentation, and evidence of violations of international human rights law committed in Belarus. The Danish Institute against Torture, Belarusian Human Rights Center VIASNA, International Committee for Investigation of Torture in Belarus, and REDRESS will participate in the project. Estonia announced the allocation of 30,000 euros to develop IAPB to collect evidence and documentation of human rights abuses in Belarus.

Mar 24: Counselor Chollet’s call with Belarusian Foreign Minister Makei

Counselor of the U.S. Department of State Derek Chollet spoke with the Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei and discussed the release of political prisoners, pending exchange of ambassadors, and the benefit of open communication lines. The Counselor stressed the importance of a dialogue with the protest movement and the free and fair election.

Mar 24: Alleged arms dealer Alexander Zingman arrested in DRC

Congolese police arrested a Belarusian businessman after he met with the former president of the DRC. Alexander Zingman, dual US and Belarus citizen, is engaged in the sale of weapons and has close ties to Belarusian autocrat Alyaksandr Lukashenka. According to unidentified sources, Zingman offered to sell weapons to the former president of DRC.

COMMUNITY

Mar 27: Belarusian Americans hold multiple rallies in support of Freedom Day

Thousands of Belarusian Americans held rallies across 20 states in honor of Belarus Freedom Day and in support of the democratic movement in Belarus. As a national freedom symbol, the White Red White Flag continues its travel through the states uniting the Belarusian communities. The flag started its journey in California and traveled through multiple states. The Belarusians of Illinois commemorated the Belarurusian places in Chicago: the resting place of the head of the 1918 Belarus National Republic, Jasep Varonka, who is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, St. George Belarusian Orthodox Church, the Marc Chagall windows of Chicago, and the Taduesh Kasciushka monument. Currently the flag is in Indiana.