Democratic Forces Address the Consequences of Electoral Repressions

Electoral issues are not a priority for democratic forces and independent media. The main focus of the regime’s opponents is on advocating for the interests of their supporters and assisting those who have been repressed. Key efforts are also directed at isolating Lukashenka and rejecting the results of the elections. This is due to a significant narrowing of space for legal activity and electoral mobilization of opposition supporters amidst intensified repressions.

Human rights defenders from “Viasna” and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC) are monitoring the presidential campaign in Belarus. This allows them to document widespread violations of political and civil rights by Lukashenka’s regime.

Democratic forces and civil society place significant emphasis on helping those affected by repressions. BYSOL operates in emergency mode due to the increasing number of evacuation requests from Belarus. The foundation has a network of 89 shelters abroad and additionally plans to open three more—in Poland, Lithuania, and Georgia.

Democratic forces continue to build on diplomatic successes in communication with the West. Austria, following Sweden, issued the first alien passports to Belarusians. This is the result of a successful campaign by democratic forces to defend the interests of political emigrants with European governments.

An information center of the Council of Europe for Belarusians will open in Vilnius. In 2022, thanks to the efforts of Tsikhanouskaya’s coalition, a Council of Europe Contact Group was established to cooperate with representatives of Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.

Democratic forces are working to establish sustainable communication with Ukrainian society. The third Belarusian-Ukrainian Astrozhski Forum was held in Kyiv, with the participation of representatives of Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and the Coordination Council, as well as Ukrainian politicians. During their visit to Ukraine, a delegation of democratic forces held a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, one of the previously popular projects of the democratic forces—“Passport of the New Belarus”—has gradually faded into oblivion. This may be related to an increasing shortage of resources.

Within the democratic forces, a growing shortage of personnel is evident. Alina Koushyk, the representative for national revival, is leaving the Coordination Council and the United Transitional Cabinet. Nevertheless, the democratic forces have managed to ensure continued support for the “Belsat” TV channel, albeit with significant reductions.

Thus, resources within the democratic forces continue to shrink, which is likely to increase tensions among political organizations as they compete for their redistribution.