Civil Society shapes the international agenda regarding Belarus, but political parties postpone constituent congresses

The leader of democratic Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, increases her international profile, and political exiles continue to influence Western capitals and international organisations concerning Belarus. Repression and interference by the authorities slow down the formation of political parties, and the founding congresses of “Vmeste” [Together”] and “Nashe Delo” [“Our Cause”] are postponed.

Political exiles are attempting to consolidate and mobilise the diaspora and expatriate activists. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for a global picket of solidarity in more than 30 countries to draw attention to the situation in Belarus.

In Belarus, protest actions and marches continue as demonstrators adopt secure methods of communication and other measures to circumvent repression.

The leader of democratic Belarus promotes the Civil Society agenda at the international level and meets with the Presidents of Estonia and Poland and US senators. Estonia intends to raise the issue of Belarus during its upcoming UN Security Council presidency. It is also hoped that the first feature film about the protests will raise awareness of the Belarusian situation at the international level.

BYPOL, comprised of ex-members of the Belarusian security forces with support from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel Latushka from the NAU, has proposed the “Victory” plan to the protest movement, aiming to consolidate efforts exerting pressure on the Belarusian regime. The plan calls for the creation of an underground organisation with a hierarchical structure, contrasting with the decentralised protest movement immediately following the elections. The organisers plan to mobilise supporters after determining the potential number of participants in such actions.

ByHelp has raised more than USD 10.5 million to help more than 11.8 thousand victims of repression and their families.

The founding congress of the “Vmeste” [“Together”] party, announced at the end of spring by Viktar Babaryka’s team, has been postponed. “Nashe Delo” [“Our Cause”] are similarly deferring party formation from the original plan for late May or early June. That said, political organisations are continuing to recruit volunteers, hold educational and otherwise maintain interest.

Overall, political exiles are reluctant to call for mobilisation of activists inside Belarus due to the high price of participation in protest activity. However, they continue to liaise with supporters of change and preserve future potential.