By Amy Graham, from the Center for European Policy Analysis August 14, 2025 Five years on from a fraudulent election organized by the Lukashenka dictatorship, Belarus’s best-known opposition leader-in-exile believes there’s still hope. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an opposition candidate in the 2020 presidential election, wants to emphasize that the August anniversary marks more
From Viasna Human Rights Center “Do not even have the lyrics with you or at home.” Listening to “extremist” music in Belarus There are already 300 “extremist groups” in Belarus, including two Belarusian bands: Tor Band and Dzieciuki. The list of “extremist materials” also includes several dozen songs, music videos,
From Viasna Human Rights Center Siarhei Tsikhanouski and 13 other political prisoners released On June 21, 14 political prisoners were released in Belarus. The pardon followed a visit to Minsk by Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy. The released prisoners were immediately transported to Lithuania. For additional reading:
Over five years, 3,940 people were recognized as political prisoners: Day of Solidarity in figures For five years, the situation with human rights in Belarus has remained terrible. Thousands of people have been imprisoned, and tens of thousands of Belarusians have been forced to leave the country due to repression.
MEPs call for the immediate end to the political repression of Lukashenka’s regime, the surveillance of demonstrators, and the release of political prisoners .They condemn how Belarusians abroad are also increasingly the target of repression by the regime, and call for EU-wide legal support for exiled individuals. Parliament reiterates that
“This is not a sign of a thaw.” Viasna human rights defenders on how the regime is destroying evidence of its crimesFor many years, the Lukashenka regime has been taking various measures to hide the traces of its crimes and keep people in fear so that information about the repression
Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!
At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.
The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.
Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.
It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.
