Belarus: Despite the repression, Despite the repression

The dictatorship intensified internal repression based on support for the Russian invasion. Nevertheless, the majority of the people reject the war and express their discontent in different ways.  

ByKazimierz Kryzhich, correspondent Minsk-Warsaw

Russian troops use Belarusian territory as a springboard for the invasion. As well, as a platform for some of the missiles it launches towards Ukrainian cities. Thus, Alexander Lukashenko sacrificed the Constitution and the sovereignty of the country in order to stay in power. Such is the payment of the Belarusian dictator to Vladimir Putin, for your support in August 2020. In that opportunity, popular discontent, unprecedented in the country's modern history, came close to bringing down the regime. The help of the Kremlin turned out to be a decisive factor in preventing the fall of Lukashenko, that has almost 30 years in power.

A puppet regime of Putin

At present, Belarus is practically occupied by Russia, it is a puppet state under external control of Moscow. The direct participation of the Belarusian army in the war is still in doubt only because, to materialize, would seriously undermine the dictatorial power. It could cause problems in the army, massive actions of disobedience and popular resistance.

Along with the war, total repression

With the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, repression in Belarus acquired an absolute character. The political field of the country has been completely cleared of opposition parties and movements. Almost all NGOs have been closed, even the environmental organization"Protection of the Birds of the Homeland"has been branded an extremist. Alternative media have been destroyed and subscription to many of them carries criminal liability.

Every day there are records, detentions and arrests

Al 15 of March, the number of political prisoners recognized by the international community reaches 1.083. Thousands more are under investigation and threatened with severe prison sentences.. Politically motivated persecution has become massive in all spheres of social life. The total number of Belarusians repressed in the last two years has exceeded 50.000 people some 200.000 were forced to flee the country. And these figures continue to grow steadily.

persecution of the"disloyal" Y"enemies of the people"

The authorities try to control all Belarusians. In work groups, political denunciations and various forms of individual interrogations have been institutionalized, sometimes with the use ofpolygraphs. Citizen databases are compiled"disloyal" Y"enemies of the people"This automatically leads to dismissal, no chance of getting a new job, to the threat of physical reprisals and criminal prosecution.

Nonetheless, there is discontent and protests

the beatings, torture, assassinations and arrests that the dictatorship has been practicing actively during the last two years, they failed to silence society. Belarusians took to the streets of the cities in which they livepeacefully protesting against the war in Ukraine. As a reply, he 27 February, only in minsk, arrested and sent to prison around 800 people. were beaten, harassed by the police, the army and administrative and criminal proceedings were opened against many.

There is no reconciliation with the dictatorship

Yes now Belarus seems quite calm, this does not mean that the people have reconciled or have surrendered to the mercy of the dictatorship. Underground newspapers are published, flyers are printed and distributed, assistance is provided to victims of repression and their families, Besides, actively working on social media.

Huge example of railway workers

There are already examples of popular sabotage and"railway war". Workers in the sector refuse to serve the Russian military transit. They do it with acts of sabotage, actions on the train tracks, destroying control and signaling systems. Thus the railway communication between Belarus and Ukraine was interrupted, which is the cheapest and fastest way to supply the invaders with fuel, military equipment and weapons.

Belarusians fighting Russian aggression

Almost every day, Belarusians fleeing repression arrive in Ukraine to join the ranks of the battalion.Kastus Kalinouski. The percentage of Belarusians fighting against Russian aggression on Ukraine is the highest, compared to volunteer training in other countries.

An ultranationalist and xenophobic propaganda apparatus

They have mounted an inter-ethnic war that contributes to the militarization of society, the radicalization of nationalism, the growth of xenophobia and the dehumanization of entire peoples. The state propaganda of Russia and Belarus is in every possible way inciting hatred towards other states. They praise the«great leaders of the Russian world»: Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, demanding the immediate destruction of the"fifth column"and others"democratic evil spirits".

Falsehoods in the shadow of Stalinism

Stalin's portraits were again visible and some calls were heard for the creation of aGulag. Along with the frankly imperial-fascist rhetoric, the wild lies and cynical speculation about victory in World War II, Soviet symbols and the theme of socialism are actively used. This is a very serious challenge for the entire left movement..

Support the Ukrainian people

It should be clearly understood that, at this time, there is a threat coming from the pro-fascist regimes of Russia and Belarus. The support of the Ukrainian people on all fronts in their heroic struggle against Russian imperialism must be at the forefront of the global political agenda of the democratic left.. Must be donewithout giving an inch to Western imperialism expansionism, headed by ee. THE. and NATO, fighting the right and the extreme right wherever they show their heads. Together we will win!