Belarus is one of Europe’s most infamous countries, notorious for its human rights violations and its pro-Russian standing. It is the last country in Europe to still exercise the death penalty. But, in recent days, the country has become more concerning for human rights activists around the world.
This is largely attributed to the crackdown on journalists, political opposition leaders and protesters by the President Alexander Lukashenko. Ever since he was elected to power in July 1994, he has grown increasingly authoritarian and suppressed democratic norms and processes. He is known for imprisoning political opponents and sending them into exile, while also flouting democratic and international law.
Official US Department of State notes that:
His government is known for declaring victory in polls (referendums and election) by a sweeping majority many believe to be insincere. Lukashenko remains in power to this day, with no space in the country for safe political dissent and crackdowns on basic freedoms and liberties. He has been pushing the country into Soviet era politics and practices, even changing the flags to incorporate Soviet colours and symbols. (In the peaceful protests which started in 2020, the protesters are seen carrying a white-red-white flag, whereas the officials use the red-green flag, changed under Lukashenko. Police attack and detain the ones using a white-red-white flag.)
This increase in the power of the presidential office and the change in the national flag came into play after the referendums of 1995 and 1996, held by Lukashenko just two years into power.
Referendum of 1995
On the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarus was declared an independent state. An election was held in July of 1994, in which Lukashenko won by a sweeping majority of 80.6% of votes. This election was conducted under the constitution adopted in March 1994. Soon after gaining power, he sought to expand the capacities of his office.
He got into a conflict with the country’s Parliament (known as the Supreme Soviet) and the Constitutional Court, which he resolved by a referendum he won. This referendum allowed him the power to dissolve the parliament and form a body that remains largely subordinate and controlled by the President’s office.
This is when the Soviet flag was introduced and adopted as the national flag and the coat of arms. The police started detaining and arresting the people waving the old white-red-white flag, calling it ‘illegal’ as deemed by authorities. After this extension of power, the government started cracking down on independent newspapers and media houses, limiting their abilities to report without a bias.
Referendum of 1996
By the use of heavily controlled media which advocated for the president’s power, another referendum was held in November 1996. The official mass media has a monopole control over everything being published in the country, and has begun a propaganda to push for more power and glorify Lukashenko. This referendum conducted under such questionable circumstances extended the presidential term from five to seven years, replaced the Parliament with a subordinate body called the National Assembly and severely limited the powers of the Constitutional Court. It is deemed as illegitimate by the international community to this day and is often dubbed as a constitutional coup.
This new parliament consists of members appointed by the President and is wholly subordinate to him. The president handpicked the members of the lower chamber and gained substantial influence over the upper chamber. The end result was the effective removal of all representatives of opposition parties from government.
The judiciary was also subordinated by the government, by giving the president power to appoint 6 of the 12 seats of the Constitutional Court, including the Chairman. The rest are appointed by the Senate, which the presidential office also partly holds direct control over and the rest can be heavily influenced into subordination.
In response to the brazen steps taken by the president to extend the term of his office, which under the 1994 constitution had been due to expire in July 1999, opposition parties organised a separate presidential election in May 1999. Prominent political figures and previous leaders stood as candidates but their efforts were ruined by the arrest of the organisers. The candidates were arrested on embezzlement charges and two prominent opponents of the president mysteriously “disappeared”.
Lukashenko has held onto his power dearly and has been continuing his rule with an iron fist.
Present day: A ray of hope?
Since then, many political opponents have been either arrested, tortured or forced into exile. There have been growing protests in the country- expressing dissatisfaction and their frustration against the regime; majorly peaceful, but suppressed vehemently by the police and army. Elections are held, but few believe them to be sincere and the polls always show Lukashenko winning by sweeping majority and indicating overwhelming numbers of participation. The most recent elections held showed him winning by 90% of the votes, however, Belarusians believe major political opponent Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election. She has been exiled and also been put under house arrest a couple of times.
Although Belarus remains isolated from the international community because of Lukashenko’s authoritarian practices and his foreign policy, one notable exception is Russia. Russian president Vladimir Putin has often been spotted embracing Lukashenko endearingly and his pro-integration policy, which calls for the integration of Belarus into Russia, but there has been no proper implementation so far. This policy does not enjoy much support by the Belarusians.
Freedom of speech and expression of dissent remains largely curtailed. Media is under the government’s control and restrictions are placed on the freedom of religion and association. Discrimination against women and domestic violence continue to be significant problems in the country. Protests seem the only way to express dissatisfaction of the regime and the numbers have been steadily rising, albeit it is too soon to declare the coming of any big change in government.
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