Belarus, a dying dictatorship?

Since 9 August and the proclamation of the results of the elections that allegedly gave Alexander Lukashenko 80% of the votes, Belarusians have been taking to the streets. But Alexander Lukashenko, Europe's last dictator, refuses to give in and is repressing protests. The country is at an impasse.

Demonstrations follow one another while the political situation remains unchanged. Hundreds of people have been arrested and the main opponents have fled the country, but the Government's fierce repression tactics have failed to weaken the determination of the people. They demand the departure of Alexander Lukashenko and the holding of free elections. Belarus has locked itself in a deadly stand-off, with no way out unless international pressure succeeds in unblocking the situation. But Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, refuses to let go of his ally. As for the European Union, it is divided between those nations that advocate new sanctions and those that fear a repeat of the Ukrainian scenario. Representative of the Belarusian opposition in exile, Olga Kovalkova, the human rights activist Ales Bialiatski, imprisoned for close to three years for his opposition to Alexander Lukashenko, and the writer Sasha Filipenko will discuss the role that the international community can play to help Belarus break the deadlock.

The debate will be held in Russian with simultaneous interpretation into French and English.

Our selection of articles to delve deeper into the subject:

• Stand With Belarus - Amnesty International's campaign
• Belarus: Corridor of Truncheons. How popular demonstrations are met with massive police violence and denial of justice  - OMCT, 26 January 2021
• Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa: «Loukachenko ne laissera derrière lui que des ruines»  - Le Temps, 19 février 2021
• Biélorussie : « Nous vivons dans un pays dont des terroristes se sont emparés »  - Le Monde, 19 septembre 2020