Belarus Needs Our Support: Why the Fight for Freedom Must Continue

The recent release of some political prisoners in Belarus has been met with relief from the international community. As these brave individuals reunite with their families, there’s a temptation to believe that the situation in “Europe’s last dictatorship” might be improving. However, we must not be fooled by this token gesture. The Lukashenko regime continues to hold hundreds of political prisoners in deplorable conditions, while systematically crushing all forms of opposition and free expression. These limited releases appear calculated to ease international pressure rather than signify genuine reform. The world must maintain its vigilance and support for the Belarusian democracy movement, recognizing that true change requires sustained pressure and solidarity with those still fighting for basic freedoms.

Behind the headlines of prisoner releases lies the harsh reality of life under Europe’s longest-serving dictator. Alexander Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for nearly three decades, but his grip tightened dramatically following the disputed 2020 presidential election. When hundreds of thousands of Belarusians peacefully protested what was widely regarded as a stolen election, the regime responded with unprecedented brutality. Security forces detained over 35,000 people, with countless documented cases of torture, sexual violence, and inhumane treatment. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who many believe won the election, was forced into exile while her husband remains imprisoned along with other prominent opposition figures. The systematic repression continues today, with independent media outlets shuttered, civil society organizations labeled as “extremist,” and ordinary citizens living in fear of arrest for even the most minor expressions of dissent.

The human cost of this repression extends far beyond the prison walls. Families have been torn apart, with children separated from parents who dared to speak out. The psychological trauma inflicted on those detained – subjected to torture, isolation, and degrading treatment – will leave lasting scars. Many released prisoners report being forced to film “confession” videos or make public statements supporting the regime as conditions for their freedom. Meanwhile, the Belarusian diaspora has swelled as tens of thousands flee persecution, creating a generation of political exiles. For those who remain, daily life has become an exercise in self-censorship. The simple act of wearing the traditional white-red-white colors associated with the opposition can result in arrest. What’s often overlooked is how this repression affects everyday Belarusians – teachers fired for refusing to spread propaganda, doctors punished for treating injured protesters, and factory workers dismissed for striking. These personal tragedies multiply while the world’s attention fades.

Belarus’s geopolitical positioning complicates international response efforts. The country’s close alliance with Russia, particularly following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has made Lukashenko increasingly dependent on Putin’s support to maintain power. Belarus has allowed its territory to be used for Russian military operations against Ukraine, effectively becoming complicit in the war. This alignment has intensified Western sanctions against the Belarusian regime, though these measures have yet to produce the desired political change. Meanwhile, democratic forces in exile, led by Tsikhanouskaya, continue diplomatic efforts to maintain international pressure and prepare for a democratic transition. Their persistence in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles represents the resilience of the Belarusian people’s democratic aspirations. Despite setbacks, the opposition has built impressive structures for coordinating resistance and planning for a post-Lukashenko future, demonstrating that the movement for change remains very much alive.

The international community faces a critical challenge in how to effectively support Belarusian democracy without losing interest as the crisis becomes protracted. Consistency is key – sanctions must be maintained and enhanced until substantive progress occurs, including the unconditional release of all political prisoners and genuine political dialogue. Democratic countries should continue recognizing and engaging with Belarusian opposition representatives, providing both moral support and practical assistance. Targeted aid programs can help sustain civil society, independent media operating in exile, and humanitarian support for political prisoners and their families. International organizations must continue documenting human rights abuses to ensure future accountability. Perhaps most importantly, the world must listen to Belarusians themselves about what kind of support they need, rather than imposing external solutions. Their courage demands our continued attention, even when more dramatic global events compete for headlines.

While Belarus’s path to democracy may be long and uncertain, there remain reasons for hope. The 2020 protests revealed the Belarusian people’s profound desire for change and demonstrated their capacity for peaceful, organized resistance. Even under extreme repression, acts of solidarity and defiance continue – from small symbolic gestures to coordinated information campaigns. History teaches us that seemingly invincible authoritarian regimes can collapse with surprising speed when circumstances align. By maintaining support for Belarusian democracy advocates, the international community helps keep this possibility alive. Freedom eventually prevailed in other former Soviet states that once seemed permanently trapped under authoritarianism. Belarus deserves the world’s sustained solidarity as its citizens continue their struggle for the fundamental rights and dignities that so many others take for granted. Their fight is not just for their own future, but for universal values of human dignity, justice, and freedom that transcend any single country’s borders.