On Sunday, August 9, 2020, presidential elections in Belarus took place.
During the electoral campaign, the peaceful mobilization of a significant number of citizens has been met by the Lukashenka regime’s use of violence and detentions of protestors, their supporters, observers, media representatives, and opposition candidates.
Unfortunately, during the last 24 hours, the situation has only escalated further, as has been widely reported by eye-witnesses and media.
It has been an ugly show of force and restrictions against free speech and assembly.
The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) stands with the peaceful and freedom-seeking people of Belarus in their struggle for democracy and against Lukashenka’s dictatorship.
We fully support the nonviolent assembly of Belarusians, their wish for free and fair elections, and we strongly condemn violence of any kind.
JBANC urges the international community, including the United States, to continue to strongly oppose any violation of the rights of peaceful protesters in Belarus, and to call for the immediate release of anyone who has been wrongly imprisoned during the protests.
