On August 9, 2020, the people of Belarus decided that they wanted to live in a free and democratic country. On that day, they gathered in polling stations across the country to vote for the alternative candidate, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, for change and for a Belarus without a dictatorial regime.

In response to the Belarusians’ desire for a new, democratically elected president, Lukashenko responded with falsified ballots and violence against hundreds of thousands from civil society who were waiting for the official results of the presidential elections. In response, Belarusians began their resistance with peaceful protests, rallies, and strikes on a scale unprecedented in the modern history of the country.

Unfortunately, repression against active Belarusians remains relentless. As of today, there are 1,483 officially recognized political prisoners in Belarus. Tens of thousands have been imprisoned through administrative detentions and politically motivated persecution. Hundreds of thousands are now living in political exile in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Germany, and many other countries – many of whom cannot return home. The civil society sector is nearly destroyed – human rights activists, activists, and various civil society NGOs have had to close their offices and start anew abroad in order to continue helping Belarusians. Independent Belarusian media outlets are also classified as extremist organizations by the regime and can only continue their work from abroad.

Since the start of the Russian war against Ukraine, Belarusians have expanded their resistance against the regime underground and have initiated an anti-war movement. Those who dare to defy the regime suffer from violence and imprisonment. Every day, there are new arrests in Belarus. Nevertheless, many Belarusians volunteered as fighters in Ukraine to defend Ukraine and the future of the region.

On their journey towards democracy and freedom, the Belarusians need our constant and consistent support.

Austausch joins the call of the Belarusian leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to show solidarity with the Belarusians on August 9th.

There are many ways to show solidarity with the Belarusians. You can find more information here.