CIVICUS speaks with Natallia Satsunkevich, human rights defender and interim board member of the Viasna Human Rights Centre, about the state of civil society in Belarus, the impact of repression on opposition movements and the role of the international community in supporting democracy.
In Belarus, political repression remains at an all-time high, with independent media silenced, civil society dismantled and opposition figures either imprisoned or forced into exile. Its sham election, held on 26 January, reinforced dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s grip on power, with no credible opposition and widespread repression ensuring a predetermined outcome. Against this backdrop, the role of exiled activists has become increasingly vital in sustaining the democratic movement, advocating for political prisoners and keeping Belarus on the international agenda.
