History of BELARUS
A Brief History
The 2020 Uprising and Repression
The Rise of Authoritarian Rule
Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe, located at the crossroads between the European Union and Russia. It borders Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, and Russia. With a population of approximately 9.2 million people, Belarus has a rich cultural heritage, its own language, traditions, and a long history of struggle for independence.
Belarusian lands were historically part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, later the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, where Belarusian culture, language, and law developed as part of European civilization. In the late 18th century, Belarusian territories were absorbed by the Russian Empire, followed by decades of forced Russification.
In 1918, during the collapse of empires after World War I, Belarusians proclaimed the Belarusian People’s Republic, declaring independence and adopting the historic white-red-white flag as a national symbol. Although this state was short-lived, it became a foundation for modern Belarusian national identity.
After World War II, Belarus became one of the republics of the Soviet Union, suffering enormous human losses—over one quarter of the population was killed during the war. In 1991, following the fall of the USSR, Belarus finally regained independence. The white-red-white flag once again became the official symbol of a free Belarus.
The Rise of Authoritarian Rule
The 2020 Uprising and Repression
The Rise of Authoritarian Rule
In 1994, Alexander Lukashenko came to power and has ruled Belarus ever since. In 1995, he reversed national symbols through a manipulated referendum, reinstating a Soviet-style red-green flag and beginning the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions.
Over the following decades, Belarus transformed into Europe’s longest-lasting dictatorship, marked by:
- Sham elections
- Suppression of free media
- Elimination of independent courts
- Disappearances and killings of political opponents
- Widespread use of torture and intimidation
The 2020 Uprising and Repression
The 2020 Uprising and Repression
The 2020 Uprising and Repression
In 2020, Belarusians peacefully protested mass election fraud after Lukashenko falsely claimed victory in presidential elections. Millions of people across the country demanded democracy, dignity, and fair elections.
The regime responded with unprecedented violence.
- Tens of thousands were detained
- Thousands were tortured or abused in custody
- Independent media and NGOs were destroyed
- Peaceful protesters were sentenced to long prison terms
BELARUS NOW
Political Prisoners and Victims
As of today:
- More than 1,400 people are officially recognized as political prisoners in Belarus
- Human rights organizations have documented at least several confirmed deaths directly linked to state violence and repression
- Many more cases remain uninvestigated due to the absence of independent courts
People are imprisoned for:
- Expressing opinions
- Carrying national symbols
- Writing posts on social media
- Making music, art, or journalism
- Volunteering or helping others
Belarus Today
Modern Belarus is a country where:
- Independent journalism is criminalized
- Cultural symbols are banned
- Peaceful dissent is labeled “extremism”
- Courts serve political orders, not justice
The regime has also allowed Russian military forces to use Belarusian territory to wage war against Ukraine, making Belarus complicit against the will of its people.
Yet despite repression, Belarusian civil society lives—in prisons, underground networks, exile, and diaspora communities around the world.
Why Belarus Matters
Belarus is not a “lost cause” or a “post-Soviet exception.” It is a European nation whose people continue to fight for freedom, human rights, and dignity—often at enormous personal cost.
Standing with Belarus means standing for:
- Democracy
- Human rights
- Cultural identity
- Truth over propaganda
This is why we speak out.
This is why we act.
This is why we remember.
