Key Events: March 29 - April 4
Older people impacted by Belarus state repression - read in Other.
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Soft annexation: Inside the Russian takeover of Belarus
Russia is getting plans underway for the takeover of Belarus. Unlike Georgia and Ukraine, the strategy is not to use military operations but instead rely on economic methods to achieve similar goals. By forcing tighter integration and absorbing key Belarusian assets, Russia is executing a soft annexation policy in “plain sight”.
Belarus deploys troops to border with Ukraine
Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine in preparation for a possible invasion is accompanied by Belarus’ large-scale deployment of military hardware to the Ukrainian northern border.
Alexander Lukashenka stands for strong presidential power in Belarus
Power redistribution strategy has been discussed between Lukashenka and his Council of Ministers. Although some authority will be expanded to the local level concerning architecture and state property management, “the presidential power must stay strong” says the authoritarian leader. The presidential administration will increase control over fundamental issues such as land, profit, and business.
Amendments to anti-extremism laws pass first reading in Belarus
The anti-extremism law passed the first reading in the House of Representatives of Belarus. The Bill formalizes the definitions of ‘extremist symbols and paraphernalia’, ‘extremist group’, ‘extremism’, and ‘extremist materials’. It also expands the list of organizations participating in countering extremism.
Other in Belarus
Mar 29: Purpose and method in hunting down demonstrators in Belarus
People in Belarus continue to get arrested for simply wearing articles of closing that resemble the white and red colors of the national flag of Belarus that is associated with the protests’ movement.
Mar 29: Belarus says opposition leader under investigation for “terrorism”
The Belarusian authorities opened a terrorism investigation against the Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The chairman of the State Forensic Examination Committee, Andrei Shved, claimed that Tsikhanouskaya and several other people plotted to plant explosives and arson attacks in Minsk and other cities several days ago.”
Mar 29: Russia amends terms for Belarus Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) loan agreement
Russia extended its loan for two years until 2022 for the construction of the Belarus Nuclear power plant. In 2011 Russia provided the design and construction of the NPP, financing the 90% cost with the loan of $10 billion.
The Committee to Protect Journalists demands the immediate release of journalist Andrzej Poczobut. The Belarusian authorities must stop detaining and fining members of the press. At least 16 journalists were detained in the period from March 18 to March 27.
Mar 30: Older people impacted by Belarus state repression
Amnesty International reports intentional and disproportional maltreatment of people in their 80-es by the police. The Belarusian authorities expose the vulnerable population to COVID-19, transporting the elderly in crowded police vehicles and holding them in overcrowded prison cells.
Mar 31: Lukashenka okays tit-for-tat sanctions against Western countries
Belarus is considering counter-sanctions in response to the sanctions imposed against the regime by the EU and the US. The sanctioned entities list is not provided and will be determined later by the State Council of Ministers.
Apr 1: Belarus must end pattern of police brutality and impunity: UN experts
The UN Human Rights Office calls to halt state-sponsored violence silencing all forms of dissent. The report sounds an alarm on the escalation of repressions and the lack of accountability for human rights violations.
Former Olympic medalist Aliaksandra Herasimenia facing criminal charges for her active involvement in the Belarus Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF). Aliaksandra and the co-leader of BSSF, Alyaksandr Apeykin are accused of “actions that undermine the reputation of Belarus and incur financial damages”
Apr 2: How Lukashenka’s oil baron hiding from sanctions
Belarus oligarchs who are close to Lukashenka, use complicated corruption schemes in the oil transportation industry in order to hide their assets and circumvent the EU sanctions.
Additional Reading
Emerging Europe: Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is Emerging Europe’s Public Figure of Year
The Center for Eastern European and International Studies: Belarus at a crossroads and attitudes on social and political change