Belarusian Rallies: 1,000 Demonstrators Detained In One Day

Demonstration in Belarus (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The human rights organization in Belarus, Viasna, reported that 1,000 demonstrators were detained in one day for protesting against the victory that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was detained. The masses were furious because they felt cheated on the results of the Belarusian election last August.

The arrests made in a day were the largest since protests in August according to CNN. Currently, Viasna believes that at least the total number of people arrested is more than 25,000.

The protests, which have been running for fourteen weeks, demand the resignation of Lukashenko, who has led the country for 26 years. The mass detentions followed the death of Roman Bondarenko, a 31-year-old anti-government protester. He died after being mistreated by security forces.

Her sister, Volga Kucharenka, said in a video on Thursday November 12 that Bondarenko was beaten at the central police department, or on her way to this department. Kucharenka explained that Bondarenko was taken from the central Minsk police department to the hospital after suffering severe injuries. He died the next day at around 8pm local time.

"Tonight I learned that my brother had died in the hospital after a day in intensive care," said Kucharenka in the video, who is seen holding back tears.

"Roman doesn't provoke a fight, I know for sure, I know from eye witnesses. Everything bad has happened then ... I made this video to tell people what was going on. My brother is a calm and positive man, he is. always avoid conflict, "he said.

During the protests last Sunday, police used batons, tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Video shows police violently beating protesters at a supermarket. Another video shows police detaining people and taking them away in a police vehicle.

The detentions also took place in the cities of Navahrudak, Babruisk, Vitsebsk, Homel and Svetlahorsk, according to Viasna. At least 23 journalists have been detained across the country, the Belarusian Journalists Association said in a statement.

"Police have detained journalists covering protests in Minsk, Vitebsk, Hrodna and Pinsk. We are aware of 23 detentions," the Belarusian Journalists Association said in a statement.

Inhuman

Former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who now lives outside Belarus, called Bondarenko a hero of the protests who was killed "by a regime accomplice." He also said Bondarenko was a victim of an inhuman regime system.

"He is an innocent victim of an inhuman system that considers people's lives the cost of power," Tikhanovskaya said on Telegram. "We all understand that a peaceful person can end up in his place."

"Like millions of Belarusians, I sympathize with the Roman family. We will not condone this murder. We will write his name in new Belarusian history as the name of a hero," he explained.

Bandarenko's death was responded to by Amnesty International's Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Marie Struthers. He said the authorities in Belarus should immediately launch a prompt, thorough, impartial and independent investigation.

"There is little doubt that he was beaten by officers of the security forces, like the hundreds of other peaceful protesters who have been attacked simply for raising their voices," said Struthers.

"Instead of taking him to the hospital, the police arrested him and detained him. It is time to end this reign of terror and expose all those responsible for committing this crime," he added.

Pressure

On Thursday November 12, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Belarusian authorities to release political prisoners. Pompeo also called on the authorities not to neglect human rights.

Pompeo said peaceful freedom of speech at rallies was fundamental. He also touched on the issue of free and fair elections. According to Pompeo, advocacy for a national dialogue is necessary to end the ongoing crisis.

"These political prisoners have been subject to harsh and life-threatening conditions of detention, including credible reports of torture," Pompeo said. "They are among thousands of people who have been subjected to unfair detention since the start of the violent crackdown."

"The United States supports those detained and not found, those who have been killed, and those who continue to peacefully assert their right to elect their leaders in free and fair elections," Pompeo concluded.