Lukashenka’s Revenge: Political Imprisonment in Belarus

The death of Alexey Navalny in a remote Siberian penal colony sent shockwaves across the globe, and left little doubt about the lengths to which Vladimir Putin’s regime would go to silence dissent. However, stories just as severe are found elsewhere in the region. In neighboring Belarus, the regime of another dictator, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, has caused the deaths of at least five people imprisoned for challenging his rule since 2020, and is confining over 1,400 more.

The conditions for these political prisoners are dire, and despite international sanctions, their numbers in Belarus are growing. There are steps that democracies can take, however, to help secure the release of political prisoners and support the brave individuals challenging autocracy and demanding respect for fundamental rights.

The dictator’s ongoing retaliation

In August 2020, Lukashenka orchestrated a fraudulent presidential election, and then presided over a violent crackdown on unprecedented nationwide protests. With backing from Putin and the security forces, by late 2020, he stifled the demonstrations and launched an extensive retaliatory campaign. After jailing or exiling most opposition politicians, human rights defenders, civil society leaders, and independent journalists, the regime moved on to mass criminal prosecutions against ordinary people. Security forces came for those who participated in peaceful demonstrations, subscribed to protest-oriented Telegram channels, expressed dissent online, followed independent media and bloggers, supported civic groups, or donated to solidarity initiatives; they faced raids, detentions, torture, and years of jail time.

Three years later, the regime is still exacting revenge. Over 5,500 Belarusians have endured politically motivated criminal prosecutions. Human rights groups estimate that the number may be much higher, because many families are afraid of speaking openly about their imprisoned loved ones. Over 1,400 people officially recognized by Belarusian rights defenders as political prisoners are currently behind bars. Every month, 300 more Belarusians face politically motivated detentions or fines, and an average of 50 end up in prison. Hundreds of thousands more have left the country, fleeing political persecution.

Belarusian political prisoners are subject to severe treatment. In addition to deplorable sanitary conditions, many are subject to torture, face physical and psychological coercion, are denied medical help and visits from family members and lawyers, have restricted access to food, and are allowed limited correspondence. Like Navalny, many are regularly forced into periods of solitary confinement over ostensible violations of prison rules. There are also many cases of political prisoners’ sentences being extended on baseless grounds.

Some of the most prominent opposition politicians and activists challenging Lukashenka’s decades-long reign are kept fully incommunicado for many months. These include Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski, 2020 presidential candidates Viktar Babaryka and Siarhei Tsikhanouski, long-time regime critic Mikalai Statkevich, blogger Ihar Losik, and political activist Maryia Kalesnikava, who in September 2020 defiantly tore up her passport before security services members as they attempted to expel her to Ukraine.

Since 2020, at least five individuals imprisoned for standing up to the regime have died in prison: Vitold Ashurak, Mikalai Klimovich, Ales Pushkin, Vadzim Khrasko, and Ihar Lednik. In several cases, the men were thrown in jail despite severe preexisting health conditions and reportedly denied adequate care. Sadly, more deaths are expected, with numerous elderly and seriously ill people behind bars.

For those who survive harsh prison conditions, the ordeal does not end upon release. They continue to endure harassment from security forces, including arbitrary detentions, home raids, travel bans, repeated criminal persecutions, and harassment of their families. Earlier this year, the security services raided homes and detained at least 287 former political prisoners and relatives of current inmates, who had received food parcels from an aid initiative.

Combating political imprisonment in Belarus

In light of the Belarusian regime’s appalling treatment of the imprisoned individuals who challenged it, one thing is certain: if the international community does not take action, further imprisonments—and deaths—will occur. There are at least three things democracy’s defenders can do in response.

First, free countries and other democracy advocates should support the efforts of the Belarusian democratic movement and civil society to negotiate the release of political prisoners. When doing so, however, it is important to consider the dynamics of potential negotiations. The Belarusian opposition in exile has maintained a firm stance of refusing to negotiate with the dictator, and instead advocates for sanctions against the regime. They have argued that Lukashenka shows no sign of changing his authoritarian behavior, and even if negotiations secured the release of some prisoners, new innocent individuals would swiftly replace them. Moreover, concessions to the regime would signify a betrayal of the ideals for which political prisoners have endured immense hardship. However, this approach has so far proven ineffective. Despite facing the most stringent sanctions in its history, the regime has managed to adapt, largely due to political and economic support from Russia.

After over three and a half years of no progress and at least five deaths, more and more voices are calling for negotiations. To secure a large number of prisoners’ release, two important factors must be considered. First, such negotiations would require powerful advocates, such as foreign states, with whom the Belarusian regime would be willing to engage in dialogue. Second, the democratic world and prodemocracy Belarusians must agree to acceptable concessions.

While a mass release of prisoners requires determined effort and coordination over the long term, it may be possible to more expeditiously secure the release of at least those in dire conditions. Successful negotiation cases—though rare—do exist. These include the cases of political strategist Vitali Shkliarov, peaceful protester Natallia Hersche, journalist Aleh Hruzdzilovich, several members of the Tut.by independent media team, and some members of the Union of Poles in Belarus. In most of these instances, foreign states were involved in the negotiations. Democratic governments and other interested parties should examine these cases closely, as they may offer valuable lessons for securing the release of political prisoners languishing in Belarusian jails.

Secondly, in addition to negotiations, democracies must also work to prevent more political persecutions by protecting Belarusians who have fled into exile. In September 2023, Lukashenka signed an executive order mandating that Belarusians apply for or renew passports only in Belarus. For individuals who fled the country due to politically motivated persecution, returning home would certainly result in arrest. This poses a significant challenge for thousands of exiled Belarusians, who can potentially lose their legal status in host countries. States should follow the examples of Lithuania and Poland who issue foreigner IDs, offer flexibility in granting international protection and temporary residence permits, and refrain from deportations.

Lastly, it is important that democracy’s defenders continue to show solidarity and support for Belarusian political prisoners and their families. They should remain engaged with the Belarusian prodemocracy movement, including by extending support to local civic groups that offer direct assistance to affected families and prisoners, and advocate for their release.

Belarus’s imprisoned activists are paying a high price for demanding freedoms that many people in democratic countries take for granted. Their cause is larger than freedom in Belarus alone: amid 18 years of widespread democratic decline, the fight against tyranny and autocracy is global, and is the responsibility of us all.