Democrats focus on transfer of power as pressure on political prisoners grows

Democrats and independent media initiate a discussion about options for regime change should the current president be incapacitated. Political migrants and diasporas support repressed Belarusian activists, volunteers in Ukraine, and political and public organizations via crowdfunding platforms.

Crowdfunding platforms are focusing the attention of supporters towards the families of political prisoners and volunteers in Ukraine. BYSOL collected over 15,000 euros for the family of the activist Pavel Belavus following his recent sentencing.

Democrats are succeeding in realising the vision of civil society and influencing the agenda of the OSCE regarding the Belarusian situation. The OSCE presented a Moscow mechanism report on human rights in Belarus.

Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of democratic Belarus, continues to promote the democratic agenda with foreign countries, meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to Lithuania.

Civil society and democrats continue to draw attention to political prisoners in Belarusian prisons. The “Labour Movement” reported that ex-presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka is possibly in a hospital in a pre-trial detention centre on Valdarskaha Street in Minsk. The European Parliament called on Minsk to stop the brutal treatment of Viktar Babaryka and other political prisoners.

Democrats and independent media are stimulating discussion in society about Lukashenka’s health.

Tsikhanouskaya’s office and ex-security forces from ByPol are trying to motivate their audience and announce contingency plans in case of Lukashenka’s death.

Alternative groupings of former security forces are appearing, seeking to consolidate critics of the Tsikhanouskaya Cabinet. Ex-officer of “Almaz” Ihar Makar announced the creation of a new military and sports association of Belarusians.

Democrats manage to increase their influence on the agenda by discussing the topic of the transition of power in the event of Lukashenka’s incapacity.