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Sunday October 25, 2020
Even if the Belarusian government desperately tries to avoid Sunday’s protests, a huge crowd is gathering again in the capital, Minsk. There are a large number of policemen at the scene. Meanwhile, the civil rights activist Tichanovskaya is mobilizing for a general strike.
More than 100,000 people protested against the ruler Alexander Lukashenko on the 11th consecutive Sunday in Belarus, despite the massive police and military presence. People flocked from different directions in the center of Minsk to the “stele”, a place in memory of the Second World War. “Long live Belarus!” They chanted. Many carried the historic white-red-white flag, as shown by the opposition website Strana dlja Schisni (A country to live in). A flag was hoisted on a lantern.
Security forces in the center of the capital Minsk.
(Photo: Picture Alliance / dpa)
The Wesna Center for Human Rights reported around 60 arrests in various cities across the country, where there were also protests. In the city of Lida, authorities confirmed the use of tear gas. Hundreds of police and military had cordoned off the center of the capital, Minsk. Uniformed men armed with ski masks took up positions on Prospecto de los Vencedores and Prospecto Independencia streets to prevent the Sunday demonstration.
Security forces used flash and noise grenades against the protesters. Eyewitnesses reported various injuries on the Telegram news channel. The Interior Ministry confirmed the “use of special funds against violent protesters.” It is said that you have broken a cord beforehand. Shots and explosions could be heard in the videos, as well as flashes of sparkles. The vibrations set off the alarm systems in many cars in the affected area. There were several arrests.
The authorities blocked all metro stations in the center to prevent the influx of people from the districts. They also turned off high-speed mobile internet so that people could not gather to protest. Since the controversial presidential elections on August 9, there have been repeated protests in the former Soviet republic because Lukashenko, after 26 years in power, was declared the winner with around 80 percent of the vote. The democracy movement claims the victory of the civil rights activist Svetlana Tichanowskaja. The EU supports Lukashenko’s opponents and no longer recognizes the longtime ruler as president. The 66-year-old receives support from Russia.
Courage from exile
“Today is a special day,” said civil rights activist Tichanowskaja in exile in the EU in a live broadcast. On Sunday his people’s ultimatum to Lukashenko expired. The democracy movement calls for an end to police violence, the release of all political prisoners and the resignation of Lukashenko and a new election. Some members of the opposition have been released, but no further concessions are in sight.
Tichanovskaya, therefore, urged the people to take part in a national general strike this Monday or just stay home. “The road will not be easy.” The fight against Lukashenko needs strength and perseverance, he stressed. Public service employees are repeatedly threatened with dismissal if they oppose Lukashenko. Analysts doubt that Tichanovskaya can achieve much thanks to his stay abroad. Opponents of the power apparatus, however, are inspired by the awarding of the Sakharov Prize for Human Rights by the EU Parliament last Thursday.
In a surprise call to Lukashenko on Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for the release of political prisoners, including a US citizen. At the same time, he emphasized that the United States supports the democratic movement. The US embassy in Minsk issued a security warning in light of the police violence.
An initiative by the power apparatus – as has happened on several occasions already – to bring thousands of Lukashenko supporters to the capital on buses and special trains at the taxpayer’s expense caused amusement in Belarusian opposition circles. Lukashenko finally had to cancel the action. He said the expected influx of 200,000 to 300,000 people into Minsk was so great that the capital was threatened with a traffic collapse. According to independent media reports, the real reason for the cancellation was a massive refusal of people to travel to Minsk. Consequently, the bus drivers also refused. Many also cited the danger posed by the corona virus.
