The Diplomatic Potential of Democratic Forces in a Depoliticized Society

The case of director Andrei Gnet and the arrest of political emigrants after their deportation from Sweden have highlighted the societal need for unified institutions of democratic forces. Consequently, for the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the Coordination Council, advocating for the interests of the Belarusian diaspora in communication with the West has become a priority task. Often, the successful resolution of these issues pertains to high-profile cases.

The influence of democratic forces in communication with the West depends on the mobilization capabilities of Belarusian civil society. It is worth noting that since 2020, foreign partners’ attention to Belarus has diminished against the backdrop of the depoliticization of almost all population groups.

The most striking example of society’s descent into “political slumber” is the May elections to the Coordination Council’s third convocation. Only about 7,000 people participated in the electoral campaign. Simultaneously, democratic forces are experiencing an outflow of activists, exacerbating the shortage of personnel. This, undoubtedly, affects the potential of democratic forces to defend citizens’ interests.

Belarusian political emigrants in Sweden had long been unable to influence the change in local officials’ attitudes toward granting asylum. However, the practice of granting protection to Belarusians in Sweden is set to change. This shift was influenced by the public outcry over the case of a Belarusian detained on political grounds after his deportation from Sweden. Pressure on the Swedish government was exerted at various levels through independent media, human rights organizations, and democratic institutions. As a result, the Swedish Migration Agency announced its intention to review cases of political asylum for Belarusian citizens.

In turn, the Belarusian Independent Film Academy organized a high-profile campaign in support of director Andrei Gnet. The open letter in his support was signed by about 500 cultural figures from around the world. Amnesty International submitted an appeal to Serbia, calling for the immediate halt of the director’s extradition process.

Thus, the case of Gnet and the arrest of Belarusians after deportation from Sweden will contribute to the consolidation of political emigration—strengthening the positions of joint democratic institutions.