Belarus: Executive Branch Cracks Down on Opponents
The executive branch of Belarus has been accused of using its power to appoint judges as a tool to silence political opponents, raising concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the right to a fair trial.
Judicial Independence Under Threat
According to sources, the government has been manipulating the tenure, discipline, and dismissal of judges to ensure that only loyal officials are appointed to the bench. This has led to a lack of accountability and impunity for those who engage in human rights abuses.
Post-Election Violence and Political Repression
The situation has become more dire since the 2020 post-election violence, with political opponents facing arbitrary arrests, torture, and denial of due process rights. The freedom and independence of the legal profession have been heavily affected by the authoritarian regime, which revoked the licenses of multiple Belarusian attorneys at law in August 2020.
Political Prisoners and Human Rights Abuses
The number of political prisoners, including politicians, activists, and journalists, has continued to grow in recent years. Those detained are often subjected to harsh treatment, including torture, and denied basic rights such as food, personal hygiene, medical care, and adequate legal representation.
Law Enforcement Under Fire
Belarus’ law enforcement services have also come under criticism for widespread corruption, inadequate training, resource shortages, and poor working conditions. The police force has been accused of using violence, arbitrary arrests, and torture against protesters with impunity, particularly since the 2020 post-election protests.
- A new legislation enacted in 2021 has exempted law enforcement officers from responsibility for damages inflicted on protesters by physical attack, firearms, and combatant and special equipment if deemed legal.
- This has further eroded trust in the police force and raised concerns about the rule of law.
Territorial Integrity and Economic Strains
Belarus’ geographic location makes it a transit country for various criminal markets. While the government has strengthened control over its western and southern borders, its border with Russia remains vulnerable. Efforts to develop integration and military cooperation between Russia and Belarus have raised concerns about potential security risks.
- The economic situation in Belarus has deteriorated further, with foreign investment declining due to widespread government abuse, human rights violations, and sectoral sanctions imposed by the West.
- The banking and finance sectors have been particularly affected by the disruption of trade, payment, and logistics.
Civil Society Under Pressure
Despite the existence of relevant legal frameworks for supporting victims of human trafficking, the government’s assistance services remain underutilized due to bureaucratic requirements, delays, and inconsistent quality of service. Civil society organizations play an important role in victim support, but face financial constraints and restrictive laws that limit their activities.
- The media environment is severely restricted, with censorship, threats, violence, and arbitrary arrests against critical journalists and bloggers being the norm.
- The government’s crackdown on independent media has resulted in increasing arbitrary detention of journalists and blocking access to media sites.
International Concerns
In light of these concerns, international organizations and human rights groups are calling for urgent action to address the erosion of democracy and human rights in Belarus.