MINSK/MOSKOU/VILNIUS/TBILISI - A totalitarian state has emerged in Belarus and Russia since the suppression of pro-democracy protests in Belarus and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Criticism and anti-war voices are suppressed with draconian punishments. Democratic Belarusians and Russians are building the alternative in the Baltics and the Caucasus.
The Belarusian opposition built a government-in-exile, with ministries drawing up policy plans and even representing Belarus to the EU. The free press moved to Lithuania, where they now often have more readers and viewers than before. Independent Russian media and NGOs are also stronger than ever in exile in the Caucasus, even though the geopolitical web there creates uncertainty and instability.
Is this a model for democrats in countries where the space for democratic action is non-existent: rebuilding the pillars of democracy in a neighbouring country that offers the space to do so?
ONLINE
- Russisch verkiezingswaarnemer Roman Oedot: ‘Big Brother, we houden je in de gaten’, MO*, 16/03/2024.
- De twee Belarussen: bigbrotherstaat versus vrijheid in ballingschap, MO*, 11/06/2024.
- ‘Een vrije pers voor een rechtvaardige samenleving’, MO*, 02/11/2024.
- Vier dagen ondergedompeld in de ‘speciale Russische operatie’ in Georgië, MO*, 07/11/2024.
- Dringt straks het volgende Russische paard van Troje de EU binnen?, MO*, 02/12/2024.
