There is no freedom in Belarus. It was once called "Europe’s last dictatorship". It's the only European country with the death penalty. There are no free elections. The regime controls everything, telling you what you can do and what you can’t. Not even Russia does that. 

The dictator has once again help fake elections, with results 100% in his favour. Lukashenko warned that the authorities had “learnt our lesson” since the protests in 2020 and that there would be “no rebellions” during the election. A month before the election, the Belarusian KGB launched a series of raids targeting the families of political prisoners.

Anyone who speaks out against the regime or the Lukashenko, the President, is a target for the police, special police and the KGB. Our activists have been arrested, tortured and sent away into forced labour in remote prison camps. Belarus is the only ex-Soviet country that still has a KGB secret police service. 

The people of Belarus are also fighting Putin, they are fighting a ruthless dictator propped up by Russia. Lukashenko’s regime, with its special police and their KGB, isn’t afraid of brutal crackdowns and deportation to prison colonies. Belarusian activists need your help, to repel Putin, recover from crackdowns and build a fair and free democratic Belarus.

Allowing Putin to continue his grip on Belarus, through the puppet dictator Lukashenko, puts the entirety of Europe at risk. Putin launched his invasion of Kyiv from Belarus, he won't hesitate to do that same again.  

 

 

 

Ruling with fear, violence and brutality

Many of those who bravely took to the streets in 2020 and 2021 were arrested. They were interrogated under the worst conditions. Many instances of beatings have been reported. After show trials, activists have been deported to prison colonies in appalling conditions in the middle of nowhere. They were dehumanised and put into forced labour. Victims have described their treatment as parallel to what Europe witnessed in the 30s and 40s. Those lucky enough to avoid prison have lost their jobs and many now exist in exile. 

The way Belarus is run is directly reminiscent of the awful dictatorships that shaped the first half of the 20th century. One student activist who was sentenced to 2 years in a colony described her treatment as something akin to something you’d see in a second world war documentary. 

Students belong in universities, not prison colonies.

 

 

Backed by Putin

Lukashenko in 2022 supported the barbaric invasion of Ukraine by allowing the Russian army to move through Belarus and march into Ukraine. The regime has continued to support Russian aggression, reports suggest Belarusian soldiers have been repairing Russian vehicles. While Lukashenko remains in power, his regime will continue to support the bloodshed in Ukraine. A war which has killed tens of thousands, destroyed cities and been host to crimes against humanity. 

The invasion of Russia would have been impossible without Lukashensho’s support. 

The Belarusian people do not support the bloodshed in Ukraine. Lukashenko is acting against his people’s wishes. Even Belarusian soldiers don’t support the war according to some reports. Belarusians have bravely helped sabotage Russian supply lines and volunteer units of Belarusians are fighting actively in Ukraine.  

Supporting Belarusians against their dictator is critical in the defence of freedom in Ukraine and in Europe as a whole.

 

 

 

What your signature might do

Belarusian freedom activists need your help to make sure they can carry on the campaign. They can't do that while the Belarusian dictator still runs the country. Stronger action from liberal democracies will weaken the roots to Lukashenko's power and give activists a chance to make a stand.

It's time to put an end to the terror.