Pictured above is an extremely brave woman. The photo is from the Associated Press. It may have been a photo from 2020, when massive protests broke out after the last rigged election. The flag with one red stripe, was used by Belarus before the only free and fair election in 1994.

Belarus declared independence from the Soviet Union in July 1990. Elections in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2020 to reelect Alexander Lukashenko were completely fraudulent. This year will be on February 25, 2024 will be no different.

Per AP reporting: “President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for nearly 30 years, charged that the West will try to use ‘new triggers to destabilize the society’ after the Feb. 25 vote.” So, the autocratic leader of Belarus has to point to the West for all the discontent.

As Lukashenko has brutally suppressed human rights, including taking thousands of political prisoners, western countries imposed economic sanctions. His centralized economy has been a disaster.

Political parties must be registered in Belarus. They must support Alexander Lukashenko. I particularly like the name of one political party, The Republican Party of Labor and Justice, which will continue the support the injustices under Lukashenko.

Alexander Lukashenko has systematically destroyed democracy and human rights in Belarus. He has remained in power with the support of Russia. They may have declared independence from Russia nearly 30 years ago, but they grow more dependent on favorable treatment from Putin’s Russia every year. (see links on economic links to Russia)

So Lukashenko will win the election, not because he is popular with the electorate but he has outlawed the opposition parties and suppressed free expression. If mass demonstrations occur following the 2024 elections, it will be bloody.

I applaud the very brave and patriotic lady lifting the flag in defiance of Alexander Lukashenko.

Stay tuned,

Dave

Links:

AP: As Belarus votes in tightly controlled elections, its leader accuses the West of fueling unrest

Wikipedia: Belarus

Center for Eastern Studies: A crisis rather than a disaster. The Belarusian economy a year into Russia’s war against Ukraine

Wikipedia: Human Rights in Belarus

US State Department Travel Advisory

(Level 4: Do not travel, US Citizens advised to leave as of 2022).