2020–2021 Belarusian protests

{{anchor|2019 Belarusian protests}}

Alexander Lukashenko has been the head of state of Belarus since 1994, and did not have a serious challenger in the previous five elections, resulting in being referred to as "Europe's last dictator" by media outlets.{{cite news |last=Nechepurenko |first=Ivan |date=7 August 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/07/world/europe/belarus-election-aleksandr-lukashenko.html |title=Europe's 'Last Dictator,' Facing Re-Election, Is Increasingly in Peril |newspaper=The New York Times}} Under his authoritarian rule,{{cite news |last1=Dorokhov |first1=Vladimir |last2=Goncharenko |first2=Roman |date=6 August 2020 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-president-lukashenko-faces-tough-election/a-54439090 |title=Belarus elections: Lukashenko's authoritarian grip faces test |publisher=Deutsche Welle }} the government has frequently repressed the opposition.

Lukashenko had faced greater public opposition amid his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which Lukashenko had denied as a serious threat.{{cite web|date=1 June 2020 |agency=AFP, dpa |title=Belarus' Lukashenko outlaws protests, arrests opponents|url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-lukashenko-outlaws-protests-arrests-opponents/a-53651863|publisher=Deutsche Welle}} Of the five elections won by Lukashenko, only the first one in 1994 was credibly deemed free and fair by international monitors.{{cite news |last=Wesolowsky |first=Tony |date=6 August 2020 |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/five-factors-that-ensure-lukashenka-wins-every-election-in-belarus/30769963.html |title=Five Factors That Ensure Lukashenka Wins Every Election In Belarus |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty }}

File:Чуковский К. Тараканище, 1923.png's 1921 children's poem Tarakanishche (The Monster Cockroach).]]

The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/belarus-protesters-wave-slippers-as-they-queue-up-to-defy-president-lukashenko-in-upcoming-election-11999319|date=2 June 2020|title=Belarus: Could slippers topple a president who has been in power for 26 years?|publisher=Sky News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/europe_slipper-revolution-shakes-belarus/6191532.html|last=Dettmer |first=Jramie |date=22 June 2020|title='Slipper Revolution' Shakes Belarus|publisher=Voice of America}} and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution,{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/06/04/belarus-protest-vote-lukashenko-stop-cockroach/|url-access=subscription|title=Belarus Is Having an Anti-'Cockroach' Revolution|first=Vitali|last=Shkliarov|work=Foreign Policy|date=4 June 2020}} were initiated by businessman and blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach ({{Langx|ru|Тараканище|translit=Tarakanishche}}) by Korney Chukovsky.

The original story, published in 1923,{{cite web |first=Сергей Петрович |last=Новиков |title=Рохлин |url-status=dead |series=«Математики за кулисами социализма |url=http://www.mccme.ru/edu/index.php?ikey=n-rohlin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515203948/http://www.mccme.ru/edu/index.php?ikey=n-rohlin |archive-date=15 May 2011 }} concerns a dictatorial yet fragile insect and his brief, chaotic reign of terror over all the other animals. It has been compared to The Emperor's New Clothes.{{Cite web|title=Watching the Mighty Cockroach Fall|url=https://asiasociety.org/watching-mighty-cockroach-fall|access-date=14 August 2020|website=Asia Society|date=24 July 2017 }}{{Cite book|last=Beckett|first=Sandra L.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bfhTAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA134|title=Transcending Boundaries: Writing for a Dual Audience of Children and Adults|date=11 October 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-68586-7}} In his reference, Tikhanovsky compared Lukashenko to the cockroach in the story. In the original poem, the cockroach is eventually eaten by a sparrow; Tikhanovsky refers to a slipper signifying stamping on the cockroach.{{Cite news |last=Wesolowsky |first=Tony |date=27 May 2020 |title=Although Banned From Running, Vlogger's Calls To Cast Out 'Cockroach' Lukashenka Resonating With Many Belarusians|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/banned-from-running-vlogger-s-calls-for-cockroach-lukashenka-to-leave-still-resonate-with-many-belarusians/30638157.html |access-date=18 August 2020}}

Tikhanovsky traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel Country for life ({{Langx|ru|Страна для жизни|translit=Strana dlya zhizni}}). Most of his respondents expressed disagreement with Lukashenko and the current government.{{Cite web |title=Страна для жизни – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFPC7r3tWWXWzUIROLx46mg |access-date=18 August 2020 |via=YouTube}}

Tikhanovsky was detained in late May 2020 by Belarusian authorities, and was formally accused of being a foreign agent.{{cite web|title='Slipper Revolution' Shakes Belarus|date=22 June 2020 |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/europe_slipper-revolution-shakes-belarus/6191532.html|access-date=24 June 2020|publisher=Voice of America}} In June 2020, street protests against Lukashenko took place. Several opposition candidates were registered for the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, but many of them were arrested.

During an interview, Lukashenko claimed that the opposition protests were a part of a plot{{cite news|date=19 June 2020|title=Belarus arrests journalists and protesters as president says he has foiled 'foreign plot'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/19/belarus-arrests-journalists-protesters-president-says-has-foiled/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/19/belarus-arrests-journalists-protesters-president-says-has-foiled/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Telegraph|agency=Agence France-Presse }}{{cbignore}} orchestrated by foreigners, whom he suggested might be Americans, NATO members, Russians, or even Ukrainians. On 19 June, Lukashenko announced that he had "foiled a coup attempt", resulting in the arrest of main opposition rival Viktar Babaryka.{{cite web|last=Kalinovskaya|first=Tatiana|date=19 June 2020|title=Belarus Leader's Election Rival Detained as Crackdown Intensifies|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/06/19/belarus-leaders-election-rival-detained-as-crackdown-intensifies-a70619|access-date=19 June 2020|website=The Moscow Times|agency=AFP}} According to CNN, Babaryka stated that the charges of bribery and corruption were falsified and the arrest was politically motivated to stop him from winning the presidential election.{{cite news|last=Ilyushina|first=Mary|date=21 June 2020|title=Belarus strongman faces mass protests after jailing of his main rivals|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/21/europe/belarus-protests-intl/index.html|work=CNN}}

When Babaryka was detained by authorities, people began walking in the streets to show their disapproval. Opposition activists, protesters, journalists, and bloggers were arrested as part of the crackdown.{{cite web|date=20 June 2020|title=Belarus opposition protests end in arrests|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53115921|work=BBC News}} The human rights group Viasna estimated that around 1,300 people had been detained for protesting between early May and early August.{{Cite news|date=8 August 2020|title=Belarus: The three women on a 'mission' to take on Europe's last dictator|publisher=Sky News|url=https://news.sky.com/story/belarus-this-is-not-the-election-that-strongman-president-alexander-lukashenko-had-planned-12044698}}

Tikhanovsky's wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya registered as a candidate in the election after the arrest of Babaryka.{{Cite web |date=30 July 2020 |title=Belarus: Crackdown on Political Activists, Journalists |url= https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/07/30/belarus-crackdown-political-activists-journalists |access-date=18 August 2020 |publisher=Human Rights Watch}} Lukashenko insisted the country was not ready for a woman to become president. Unregistered candidate Valery Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's campaign and provide support.

The protests led to questions of how long the crisis may last, and whether it would escalate into violence,{{cite web |title=How poor handling of Covid-19 has caused uproar in Belarus |url= https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2020/06/how-poor-handling-covid-19-has-caused-uproar-belarus |magazine=New Statesman|date= 24 June 2020 }} possibly evolving into a full revolution, akin to how the Euromaidan protests turned into a revolution in Ukraine in 2014.{{cite news |first1=James |last1=Shotter |first2=Max |last2=Seddon |date=23 June 2020 |title=Belarus's middle class begins to turn on Lukashenko |url= https://www.ft.com/content/47e9c455-b640-483e-8317-a301c87dc920 |newspaper=Financial Times}} The German Marshall Fund, a US think tank, noted that the protests were more widespread, and more brutally repressed than previous protests in Belarus.{{cite web |date=5 July 2020 |title=Jak nie opozycja, to może koronawirus i tonąca gospodarka pokona wreszcie Łukaszenkę |url= https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/politico/bialorus-jak-nie-opozycja-to-moze-koronawirus-i-tonaca-gospodarka-pokona-wreszcie/bjc94vk |website=onet.pl}}

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE){{Cite web|url=https://www.osce.org/|title=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|website=osce.org}} reported that it would not be monitoring the 2020 election as it wasn't invited to do so.{{cite news |last=Vasilyeva |first=Nataliya |date=14 July 2020 |title=Authorities in Belarus to charge anti-government protesters with rioting for clashing with police |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/14/protests-belarus-government-blocks-president-lukashenkos-rivals/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/14/protests-belarus-government-blocks-president-lukashenkos-rivals/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 July 2020}}{{cbignore}} This was the first time since 2001 that the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) did not monitor elections in Belarus.{{cite news |first=Tony |last=Wesolowsky |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/five-factors-that-ensure-lukashenka-wins-every-election-in-belarus/30769963.html |title=Five Factors That Ensure Lukashenka Wins Every Election In Belarus |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=6 August 2020 }} The OSCE has not recognized any elections in Belarus as free and fair since 1995, and the government has obstructed past OSCE election-monitoring missions in the country.

On 24 May, hundreds protested against president Alexander Lukashenko and his decision to run for the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. Anti-government protesters held slippers as a sign of protest against the regime.{{cite news |title=Belarus: Could slippers topple a president who has been in power for 26 years? |url=https://news.sky.com/story/belarus-protesters-wave-slippers-as-they-queue-up-to-defy-president-lukashenko-in-upcoming-election-11999319 |access-date=27 February 2022 |publisher=Sky News |date=2 June 2020}} Rallies and demonstrations continued strongly throughout May and June. On 27 May, protesters marched throughout the country and clashed with police. Slippers were pelted at the police and chants such as "You Cockroach" and "Resign you Rat" were heard. Elderly women and men protested daily until the elections. Balaclava-wearing police were then seen arresting popular YouTuber Sergei Tikhanovsky.{{cite news |title=Top opposition figure detained in Belarus |url=https://www.wavy.com/news/world/top-opposition-figure-detained-in-belarus/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |agency=Associated Press |date=31 May 2020}}{{cite news |title=Prominent opposition figures arrested in Belarus as presidential election approaches |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/06/03/prominent-opposition-figures-arrested-in-belarus-as-presidential-election-approaches |access-date=27 February 2022 |publisher=Euronews |date=3 June 2020}}

File:Rally in support of Tsikhanouskaya in Minsk (30 July 2020) - 51.jpg (left) alongside a crowd of supporters in Minsk on 30 July]]On 30 July, a permitted rally of presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took place in the Friendship of Peoples Park in Minsk. According to human rights activists, 63,000–70,000 people gathered,{{Cite news |title=Tens Of Thousands Rally In Minsk In Support Of Opposition Presidential Candidate |url= https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-tens-thousands-opposition-rally-minsk-tsikhanouskaya-president/30756834.html |access-date=18 August 2020 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}}{{Cite web |date=4 August 2020 |title=Belarusian authorities to hold concerts in Minsk park to prevent more opposition rallies |url=http://www.intellinews.com/belarusian-authorities-to-hold-concerts-in-minsk-park-to-prevent-more-opposition-rallies-188893/ |access-date=18 August 2020 |website=intellinews.com}} but a statement from the Belarusian Interior Ministry alleged that only 18,250 people had been recorded passing through the metal-detecting checkpoints set up at the event.{{Cite news |last=Hashmi |first=Faizan |date=31 July 2020 |title=Minsk Says 18,250 People Attended Presidential Candidate Tikhanovskayas Rally, Not 63,000|work=Urdu Point |url= https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/minsk-says-18250-people-attended-presidentia-990237.html |access-date=18 August 2020}}

On 6 August an estimated 5,000 peaceful protesters took to the streets in Minsk, waving white ribbons, calling for free and fair elections.{{cite news|date=6 August 2020|title=Thousands protest in Belarus calling for a fair election|publisher=Euronews|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/06/thousands-protest-in-belarus-calling-for-a-fair-election}}

{{main|Wagnergate}}

On 29 July, 33 mercenaries from the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, were arrested in a sanatorium near Minsk.{{Cite news |date=8 August 2020 |title=Belarus: The three women on a 'mission' to take on Europe's last dictator |url=https://news.sky.com/story/belarus-this-is-not-the-election-that-strongman-president-alexander-lukashenko-had-planned-12044698 |publisher=Sky News}} Members of the group were allegedly lured to Minsk as part of a Ukrainian intelligence operation.{{Cite news |title=Восемь вещей о "Вагнергейте", которые мы узнали из расследования Bellingcat* |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-59313239 |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=BBC News Русская служба |language=ru}}

Belarusian authorities claimed that Tikhanovsky was working with Russians to destabilize Belarus.{{cite news |date=4 August 2020 |title=Belarus ruler Lukashenko says Russia lying over 'mercenaries' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53648640 |work=BBC News}} All but one of the mercenaries, who was a Belarusian national and remained in custody, were deported to Russia on 14 August despite a request from Ukraine for their extradition.{{cite news |date=15 August 2020 |title=Belarus hands over 32 of 33 Russian Wagner mercenaries to Russia |url=http://euromaidanpress.com/2020/08/15/belarus-hands-over-32-of-33-russian-wagner-mercenaries-to-russia/ |publisher=euromaidanpress}}

{{main|2020 Belarusian presidential election}}

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|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc6VYsjj4AI Anthem used by protestors] Pahonia

|video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH7RI1spbOI&ab People singing "Pahonia" at the mall]

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File:Столкновения в Минске в ночь с 9 на 10 августа 2020 BZQP5131.webm

On 9 August, all roads and entry points to Minsk were blocked by the police and army early in the morning.{{Cite news |location=London |first1=Yan |last1=Auseyushkin |first2=Andrew |last2=Roth |date=10 August 2020 |title=Belarus election: Lukashenko's claim of landslide victory sparks widespread protests|newspaper=The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/09/belarus-election-lukashenko-landslide-victory-fixing-claims |access-date=13 August 2020 |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |date=9 August 2020 |title=Belarus election: Protests break out after disputed presidential vote |url= https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/09/belarus-presidential-election-police-storm-opposition-headquarters-as-vote-begins |access-date=13 August 2020 |website=euronews}}

In the middle of the day, the Internet in Belarus was partially blocked. Government officials claimed that the reason was a heavy denial-of-service attack originating from outside Belarus. However, independent IT specialists claimed that the Belarusian state Internet monopoly Beltelecom and affiliated state agencies deliberately used deep packet inspection (DPI) technology or traffic shaping, and that issues with the filtering equipment used may have been the cause.{{cite web |last=Kolos |first=Tamara |date=10 August 2020 |url=https://42.tut.by/696139 |trans-title=What happens to the Internet in Belarus – technical experts' opinion |title=Что происходит с интернетом в Беларуси — мнение технических специалистов |website=42.tut.by |access-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811105940/https://42.tut.by/696139 |archive-date=11 August 2020 |url-status=dead}} Telegram was the only working instant messaging application.{{Cite web|last=Davlashyan|first=Naira|date=12 August 2020|title=What is Nexta — the Telegram channel reporting on Belarus' protests?|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/12/what-is-nexta-the-telegram-channel-reporting-on-belarus-protests|access-date=13 August 2020|website=euronews}}{{Cite web|title=How Telegram Users Found A Way Through Belarus's Internet Lockdown |first=Robert |last=Coalson |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/how-telegram-users-found-a-way-through-belarus-s-internet-lockdown/30780136.html|access-date=13 August 2020|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}}

In the evening of the election day immediately after the close of polling stations, the Belarusian government-sponsored TV aired exit poll results showing a supposed landslide with Lukashenko receiving 80.23% of the votes, and Tsikhanouskaya receiving 9.9%. The landslide was so great that even pro-government parts of the Belarusian population found that it was unlikely to be true.{{Cite web|title=Belarus elections – crackdown on press freedom|url=https://www.freepressunlimited.org/en/news/belarus-elections-crackdown-on-press-freedom|access-date=13 August 2020|website=freepressunlimited.org|archive-date=2020-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822115712/https://www.freepressunlimited.org/en/news/belarus-elections-crackdown-on-press-freedom|url-status=dead}} This caused an immediate reaction by supporters of Tsikhanouskaya to head to the streets in all major cities in Belarus, such as Brest, Minsk, Viciebsk, Hrodna, Mazyr, Pinsk, Homel, and Babruisk. Protesters were expressing their dissatisfaction and were calling for a fair count of votes. Protests started as peaceful in the middle of the night, but in Minsk, the situation escalated into violence between protesters and authorities. Protesters started building barricades to block traffic on the streets.{{Cite web|title=Belarus protesters use vehicles to block police from demonstrations over 'rigged election'|url=https://observers.france24.com/en/20200811-belarus-democracy-protests-police-vehicles|access-date=13 August 2020|website=The France 24 Observers|date=11 August 2020}} The number of protesters in Minsk could not be measured as they were not concentrated in a single spot.

At night, after breaking up big crowds, police officers chased smaller groups of protesters through downtown Minsk for several hours. A fight against security forces and police continued in the major cities of Belarus. Law enforcement officers used police batons, rubber bullets (fired from shotguns), grenades with lead balls, water cannons, tear gas, and stun grenades. They used them to suppress the protests as people were chased in the suburbs all night.{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=12 August 2020 |title=Hundreds detained, firearms used in third night of Belarus unrest|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1967095/hundreds-detained-firearms-used-in-third-night-of-belarus-unrest|access-date=13 August 2020|website=Bangkok Post}}{{Cite web|last=Gerdžiūnas|first=Benas|date=11 August 2020|title=As shots and explosions shake Minsk, people call for help from Lithuania|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1206168/as-shots-and-explosions-shake-minsk-people-call-for-help-from-lithuania|access-date=13 August 2020|website=LRT English}} In Brest, protesters gradually dispersed, leaving a crowd of 200–300 from an estimated previous total of 5,000.{{Cite news|title=Police Crack Down On Protests In Belarus After Results Show Lukashenka Winning In Landslide|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-lukashenka-presidential-election/30773816.html|access-date=13 August 2020|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=10 August 2020 }} That night in Minsk, security forces dropped grenades near people, leaving some with critical injuries.

People were reported to be arrested while waiting for the election results near their polling stations. In Minsk, a 73-year-old man with a daughter and grandchildren were arrested with nearly 20 other people who gathered near the 86th school after the closure of the polling station. It was reported that they were sentenced to 10 and 25 days in jail.{{Cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/696627.html|title="Он педагог, интеллектуал". Самому старшему задержанному после выборов 73 года. Его схватили у школы |trans-title="He's an educator, an intellectual." The oldest detainee since the election is 73. He was grabbed by a school |date=14 August 2020|website=TUT.BY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814195507/https://news.tut.by/economics/696627.html |archive-date=14 August 2020 |url-status=dead}} In Baranavichy, two Roman Catholic priests were arrested among others; they were waiting for the results near their polling station.{{cite web |url=https://belsat.eu/news/dvuh-katalitskih-svyatarou-trymayuts-za-kratami-u-baranavichah/ |title=Двух каталіцкіх святароў трымаюць за кратамі ў Баранавічах |trans-title=Two Catholic priests in Baranavichy |date=15 August 2020 |website=Belsat.eu |access-date=15 August 2020 }}

{{main|Coordination Council (Belarus)|National Anti-Crisis Management}}

File:First press conference of the Coordination Council of Belarus.jpg

On 14 August 2020, in a video in which Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received 60{{Ndash}}70% of the vote, she announced the creation of the Coordination Council for the Transfer of Power.

Tsikhanouskaya stated that the council should be made of "civil society activists, respected Belarusians and professionals" to handle the transfer of power from Lukashenko.{{Cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200815_05/amp.html?__twitter_impression=true|title=Belarus opposition candidate declares victory | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News|website=www3.nhk.or.jp|access-date=2020-08-15 |archive-date=2020-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816073345/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200815_05/amp.html?__twitter_impression=true|url-status=dead}} Applications for membership of the transitional council were open to any Belarusian citizen who recognised the election as having been falsified, and who was in a position of social trust such as a doctor, a teacher, a business leader, an author, or a sportsperson.

On 17 August 2020, Tsikhanouskaya released a video in which she stated that she was ready to lead a transitional government{{Cite web|url=https://t.me/nexta_live_en/7398|title=NEXTA Live Translated to English|website=Telegram}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/17/belarus-tsikhanouskaya-says-she-s-ready-to-become-national-leader|title=Thousands rally in Minsk as EU prepares emergency summit on Belarus|date=17 August 2020|website=euronews}} and to organise a new, free, and fair presidential election.{{cite web |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/belarus-opposition-leader-says-ready-to-lead-country/1944479 |title=Belarus: Opposition leader says 'ready to lead country' |last=Teslova |first=Elena |date=17 August 2020 |website=aa.com.tr|access-date=30 August 2020}} A list of members was circulated on {{awrap|17 August 2020}} and included Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich.{{Cite news|url=https://rada.vision/nazvany-pervye-chleny-koordinatsionnogo-soveta|title=Названы первые члены Координационного Совета|date=17 August 2020|archive-date=2021-07-26 |access-date=2020-08-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726124330/https://rada.vision/nazvany-pervye-chleny-koordinatsionnogo-soveta|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/KavalkovaVolya/posts/1662270923930444|title=Вольга Кавалькова|via=Facebook}}{{Primary source inline|date=January 2021}} The first meeting of the Council took place on 18 August 2020 and its leadership was elected the following day.{{Cite news |title=В организованном Тихановской координационном совете по передаче власти назвали дату первой встречи |url= https://tvrain.ru/news/v_organizovannom_tihanovskoj_koordinatsionnom_sovete_po_peredache_vlasti_nazvali_datu_pervoj_vstrechi-514522/ |website=канал Дождь |date=17 August 2020}}

Lukashenko decried the creation of the council as an 'attempt to seize power' and promised "appropriate measures".{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-election/belarus-opposition-sets-up-council-lukashenko-decries-attempt-to-seize-power-idUSKCN25E16F |title=Belarus opposition sets up council; Lukashenko decries 'attempt to seize power' |last=Makhovsky |first=Andrei |work=Reuters |date=18 August 2020}} On 20 August 2020, the chief prosecutor launched a criminal case against the council, calling it unconstitutional.{{ cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53860409 |title=Belarus strikes must continue and grow, opposition leader says |work=BBC News |date=21 August 2020}}

United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, in a statement urged the Belarusian government to actively engage Belarusian society, including through the newly established Coordination Council, "in a way that reflects what the Belarusian people are demanding, for the sake of Belarus’ future, and for a successful Belarus."{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/supporting-the-aspirations-of-the-belarusian-people/ |title=Supporting the Aspirations of the Belarusian People |publisher=US Department of State |date=20 August 2020}}

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the fact that the leadership of the Coordination Council did not want to reduce their ties with Russia and instead hoped to continue with good bilateral relationships between the two countries.{{Cite news|title=Песков оценил заявление белорусской оппозиции о сотрудничестве с Россией|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5f44e4039a79474f8dd12795|access-date=28 August 2020|newspaper=Рбк|language=ru}}

On 17 September 2020, the European Parliament recognized the coordination council as the "interim representation of the people" of Belarus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200910IPR86829/meps-call-for-eu-sanctions-against-belarusian-president-and-navalny-s-poisoners|title=MEPs call for EU sanctions against Belarusian President and Navalny's poisoners | News | European Parliament|date=17 September 2020|website=www.europarl.europa.eu}}

In late October 2020, the Coordination Council created a shadow government, called National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM), for organising the detailed administrative tasks for a peaceful transfer of power to a fairly and freely elected president.{{cite news|title=Pavel Latushko Announces Establishment Of People's Anti-Crisis Administration|date=2020-10-29|newspaper=Belarus Feed|url=https://belarusfeed.com/latushko-peoples-anti-crisis-administration/|access-date=2020-11-16|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201116122555/https://belarusfeed.com/latushko-peoples-anti-crisis-administration/|archive-date=2020-11-16|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Sadouskaya–Komlach|first=Maryia|title=An Exiled Belarusian Opposition Faces A Credibility Test|date=2020-11-06|website=Center for European Policy Analysis|url=https://cepa.org/an-exiled-belarusian-opposition-faces-a-credibility-test|access-date=2020-11-16|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201116122533/https://cepa.org/an-exiled-belarusian-opposition-faces-a-credibility-test/|archive-date=2020-11-16|url-status=live}} NAM is led by Pavel Latushko and states that it will lose its powers when a new president is inaugurated.{{cite web|title=National Anti-Crisis Management|website=National Anti-crisis Management|year=2020|url=https://belarus-nau.org/en|access-date=2020-11-16|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201116025936/https://belarus-nau.org/en|archive-date=2020-11-16|url-status=live}} In November 2020, NAM published internal reports from the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs showing that 4000 complaints for torture and other illegal actions by security forces had been submitted between 9 August 2020 and {{awrap|9 November 2020,}} but all had been ignored by the ministry.{{cite news|last=Grekowicz|first=Nikita|language=pl|title=Białoruś ponownie zawrzała po skatowaniu Ramana Bandarenki. Trwają protesty [relacja z Mińska]|trans-title=Belarus again in shock at the assault on Raman Bandarenka. Protests continue [report from Minsk]|date=2020-11-15|newspaper=OKO.press|url=https://oko.press/bialorus-ponownie-zawrzala-po-skatowaniu-ramana-bandarenki-trwaja-protesty-relacja-z-minska|access-date=2020-11-16|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201116122525/https://oko.press/bialorus-ponownie-zawrzala-po-skatowaniu-ramana-bandarenki-trwaja-protesty-relacja-z-minska/|archive-date=2020-11-16|url-status=live}}

File:Митинг памяти Александра Тарайковского, метро Пушкинская, Минск, 15 августа 2020 133.jpg on 15 August]]

File:Митинг памяти Александра Тарайковского, метро Пушкинская, Минск, 15 августа 2020 265.jpg

{{See also|List of deaths related to the 2020 Belarusian protests}}

On 10 August, a protester, Alexander Taraikovsky, died near Pushkinskaya metro station. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the protester tried to throw an explosive device at the government troopers and it exploded in his arms.[https://www.dw.com/ru/v-minske-pri-vzryve-pogib-demonstrant/a-54521233 В Минске при взрыве погиб демонстрант]. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 15 August 2020.{{cite web|last1=Kennedy|first1=Rachael|date=10 August 2020|title=Belarus election: protests register their first fatality|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/10/belarus-election-hundreds-detained-amid-protest-as-early-results-indicate-lukashenko-lands|website=Euronews}} However, some doubts in the circumstances of the death of the 34-year-old man were expressed. It was reported that a massive blood loss due to an open chest wound was recorded in a death certificate.[https://news.tut.by/society/696770.html В Минске попрощались с погибшим на протестах на «Пушкинской» Александром Тарайковским] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001193127/https://news.tut.by/society/696770.html |date=2020-10-01 }}. Tut.by. Retrieved 15 August 2020. A video was published on 15 August that showed the empty-handed protester being shot at by police.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2020/08/15/opublikovano-video-kak-v-minske-pogib-aleksandr-taraykovskiy-u-nego-nichego-ne-bylo-v-rukah-mvd-utverzhdalo-chto-on-brosal-bombu|title=Опубликовано видео, как в Минске погиб Александр Тарайковский. У него ничего не было в руках — МВД утверждало, что он бросал бомбу|access-date=15 August 2020|website=meduza.io}} On 15 August, the Associated Press published a single frame from a video made on 10 August. It showed a man in a white shirt that looked similar to Taraikovsky and that was staggering unsteadily with a big red spot on his chest.[https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/15/associated-press-opublikovalo-snimok-s-protestov-v-minske-na-nem-chelovek-padaet-na-dorogu-s-krasnym-pyatnom-na-grudi Associated Press опубликовало снимок с протестов в Минске. На нем человек стоит на дороге с красным пятном на груди] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815131150/https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/15/associated-press-opublikovalo-snimok-s-protestov-v-minske-na-nem-chelovek-padaet-na-dorogu-s-krasnym-pyatnom-na-grudi |date=2020-08-15 }}. Onliner.by. Retrieved 15 August 2020.[https://charter97.org/ru/news/2020/8/15/389639/ Агентство Associated Press опубликовало кадр с моментом убийства Александра Тарайковского]. Charter 97. Retrieved 15 August 2020.{{Cite web|url=http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Belarus-Victim-s-Wife/43b00bf5488a44798e4658558b1515ba/4/0|title=Belarus Victim's Wife|website=AP Images}} No further commentary from the Ministry of Internal Affairs followed, however, according to the Belarusian Investigative Committee, as of 15 August 2020, the circumstances of the Taraikovsky's death were under investigation.[https://news.tut.by/society/696820.html Опровергает версию МВД. AP опубликовало кадр из видео с гибелью Александра Тарайковского на «Пушкинской»] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001192324/https://news.tut.by/society/696820.html |date=2020-10-01 }}. Tut.by. Retrieved 15 August 2020. Elena German, the wife of Taraikovsky, saw the body in the morgue and reported that there were no injuries to his hands, but there was a small hole in his chest, consistent with a bullet hole.{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/15/lukashenko-calls-putin-as-demonstrators-gather-once-again-in-belarus |title=Lukashenko calls Putin as demonstrators gather once again in Belarus |publisher=euronews |last=Hurst |first=Luke |date=15 August 2020}} On 15 August, thousands of people gathered at the funeral in Minsk.[https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-postelection-massive-weekend-protests/30785061.html Thousands Mourn Protester As Belarus's Postelection Rallies Continue]. Radio Liberty/Free Europe. Retrieved 15 August 2020.

On 12 August, 25-year-old Alexander Vikhor died in Homel. He is believed to have had a heart-related disease. According to preliminary information, he died due to waiting in a security forces detainee van for several hours in hot weather. He was in the van because the city's temporary detention centers were overcrowded. Vikhor was sentenced to 10 days in prison, but it was reported that he didn't receive proper medical attention in time.{{Cite web|last=Рудь|first=Андрей|date=12 August 2020|title=В гомельской больнице умер задержанный на акции протеста. СК проводит проверку – Люди Onliner|url=https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/12/umer-zaderzhannyj|access-date=12 August 2020|website=Onliner|language=ru|archive-date=2020-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812160813/https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/12/umer-zaderzhannyj|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|title="Мне адмовіліся паказваць цела сына". У Гомлі пасьля затрыманьня памёр 25-гадовы хлопец|url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/30780258.html|access-date=12 August 2020|website=Радыё Свабода|date=12 August 2020 |language=be|last1=Свабода |first1=Радыё }}{{Cite news|date=12 August 2020|title="Мой сын не умер, он погиб ни за что". В Гомеле скончался 25-летний парень, которого задержали на улице|url=https://news.tutby.news/society/696437.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812211711/https://news.tutby.news/society/696437.html|archive-date=12 August 2020|access-date=12 August 2020|website=TUTBY.NEWS|language=ru}}{{cite news|date=13 August 2020|title=Belarus election: Second protester dies as UN sounds alarm|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53760453}}

Also on or around 12 August, 28-year-old Nikita Krivtsov went missing. His body was found on 22 August near Minsk. Krivtsov was a fan of FC Maladzyechna, whose home ground is in the city of Maladzyechna. On 9 August, the day of the election, there was a peaceful protest in Maladzyechna against the official election result. Photographs show Krivtsov at the front of the protest, carrying a white-red-white flag, confronting a line of police. A friend stated that Krivtsov phoned him on 10 August, stating that he was in Minsk and had nearly been arrested by riot police. The friend said Krivtsov phoned him again on 11 August saying that he spent much of the day in a bar. On 12 August, the friend tried phoning Krivtsov but got no answer, which he said was out of character. Another report suggests that on 12 August, Krivtsov was in the city of Zhodzina, where his estranged wife lives with their five-year-old daughter, and that he left Zhodzina to go to the village of Karaliou Stan, where he worked, but he never arrived.{{cite news |url= https://news.tut.by/society/697905.html |last=Borisevich |first=Katerina |title="Семья не верит, что ушел из жизни сам". Родные Никиты Кривцова написали заявление в СК |language=ru |website=Tut.By |date=24 August 2020 |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918044035/https://news.tut.by/society/697905.html |archive-date=18 September 2020 |url-status=dead}} On 22 August a watchman found Krivtsov's body in a forest near Minsk. The body was hanging by the neck, but its feet were on the ground. The condition of the body suggested that Krivtsov had been dead for about a week. Police claim that Krivtsov committed suicide, but his family stated that they didn't believe them.{{cite news |url= https://nashaniva.by/?c=ar&i=259077&lang=ru |title=Анонимный свидетель утверждает, что видел Никиту Кривцова живым, но избитым. Друзья восстановили последние дни его жизни |language=ru |newspaper=Nasha Niva |date=15 September 2020 |access-date=25 September 2020}}

On 15 August, 29-year-old Kanstantsin Shyshmakou, director of the Bagration Military History Museum in Vaukavysk, disappeared. As a member of the election commission, he refused to sign the protocols, called his wife at about 5 pm and said: "I will not work here anymore, I am going home." Shishmakov was later found dead in a river. This was announced by the search and rescue squad "Angel".{{Cite web|date=18 August 2020|title=Директора волковысского музея нашли мертвым|url=https://news.tut.by/society/697178.html|access-date=18 August 2020|website=TUT.BY|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818155538/https://news.tut.by/society/697178.html |archive-date=18 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=19 August 2020|title=Museum director from Vaukavysk found dead|url=https://www.voiceofbelarus.com/lt/2020-08-19/museum-director-from-vaukavysk-found-dead/|access-date=21 August 2020|website=Voice of Belarus|language=lt-LT}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On 17 August, the human rights advocates from the Belarusian education and social association "Zvyano" ("Link") issued a report, which said that at least five people had been murdered during the protests, and seven people were in critical medical condition.{{Cite web|title=Правозащитники: На уличных протестах в Беларуси убили как минимум пятерых. Семеро – в критическом состоянии |trans-title=Human rights defenders: At least five people were killed in street protests in Belarus. Seven are in critical condition. |url=https://gordonua.com/news/localnews/pravozashchitniki-na-ulichnyh-protestah-v-belarusi-ubili-kak-minimum-pyateryh-semero-v-kriticheskom-sostoyanii-1514059.html|access-date=17 August 2020|website=gordonua.com|date=17 August 2020 }}{{Cite web|date=17 August 2020|title=Доклад о нарушении прав человека участников протестов в Беларуси с 7 по 14 августа 2020 года|trans-title=Report on violation of human rights of protesters in Belarus from 7 to 14 August 2020|url=http://zvyano.by/доклад-о-нарушении-прав-участников-пр/|access-date=18 August 2020|website=Zvyano (Link)}}

On 19 August, 43-year-old Hienadz Shutau died in the Minsk military hospital after he had received gunshot wounds in the head during the 11 August protests in Brest. It was reported that the shot may have been fired by the police.{{Cite web|date=19 August 2020|title=В госпитале умер мужчина из Бреста, в которого силовики выстрелили на протестах. Ему было 43 года|url=https://news.tut.by/society/697248.html|access-date=19 August 2020|website=TUT.BY|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819083657/https://news.tut.by/society/697248.html |archive-date=19 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|date=20 August 2020|title=Third Belarus protester's death reported|work=Yarrawonga Chronicle|url=https://www.yarrawongachronicle.com.au/world/2020/08/20/1523805/third-belarus-protesters-death-reported|access-date=2020-08-20 |archive-date=2020-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913032700/https://www.yarrawongachronicle.com.au/world/2020/08/20/1523805/third-belarus-protesters-death-reported|url-status=dead}} MediaZona later released footage from a security camera, showing the official version a lie, and Shutau in effect being murdered from behind without warning.

On 3 October, Denis Kuznetsov, a 41-year-old male who was detained on 29 September, died in an intensive care unit after being transported there from Akrestsina. According to Kuznetsov's relatives and his medical history, during transportation to the hospital, he informed the medics that he was beaten by the Akrestsina staff, who, in turn, claimed that Kuznetsov "fell from the top of a bunk bed". The Kuznetsov's clinical diagnosis, among other things, included moderate traumatic brain injury, numerous hematomas, basilar skull fracture, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and fractures of 11 right ribs.{{cite web |url=https://kyky.org/news/skazal-vracham-chto-bili-siloviki-umer-muzhchina-kotorogo-privezli-iz-okrestina-v-bolnitsu-s-cherepno-mozgovoy-i-perelomami-reber |title="Сказал, что били силовики". Умер мужчина, которого привезли из Окрестина в больницу с черепно-мозговой и переломами ребер |date=3 October 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |website=kyky.org |language=ru }}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=https://belsat.eu/news/zbity-na-akrestsina-dzyanis-k-syonnya-pamyor/ |title=Збіты на Акрэсціна Дзяніс К. сёння памёр |date=3 October 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |publisher=Belsat TV |language=be }}{{cite web |url=https://charter97.org/ru/news/2020/10/3/395579/ |title=Избитый на Окрестина мужчина умер |date=3 October 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |website=charter97.org |language=ru }} In a further comment by the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was reported that results of the preliminary investigation supported the version presented by the Akrestsina staff.{{cite news |url=https://news.tut.by/society/702712.html |title="Знаем, что он ни в чем не участвовал". В БСМП умер мужчина, которого привезли туда с Окрестина |date=3 October 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |publisher=tut.by |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006162934/https://news.tut.by/society/702712.html |archive-date=6 October 2020 |url-status=dead}}

On 11 November, Raman Bandarenka, a 31-year-old Minsk resident, a manager and an art-designer, was attacked and kidnapped from his yard in The Square of Changes. After some time, an ambulance was called to the Central District Department of Internal Affairs, which found Bandarenka unconscious. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Minsk BHMP (Minsk City Emergency Hospital) on 12 November 2020 at 00:05, where he was diagnosed with a severe closed traumatic brain injury, the acute subdural hematomas of the head, cerebral hemorrhage, and multiple soft tissue injuries. He was in a coma and underwent surgery, but medics were unable to save Bandarenka due to his serious condition. Bandarenka died on the evening of 12 November 2020.{{Cite web|title=Памёр Раман Бандарэнка, якога хуткая забрала непрытомным з Цэнтральнага РУУС| date=12 November 2020 |url=https://nashaniva.by/?c=ar&i=262312|access-date=2020-11-22|publisher=Nasha Niva|language=be}}

The authorities and leaders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs never claimed that people died at the hands of police representatives.{{Cite web|last=Радыё Свабода|title=Відавочцу сьмерці Генадзя Шутава абвінавацілі ў замаху на забойства|language=be|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/31022432.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228203029/https://www.svaboda.org/a/31022432.html|archive-date=2020-12-28}}

{{main|Human rights issues related to the suppression of the 2020 Belarusian protests}}

According to numerous publications, the suppression of the 2020 Belarusian protests was accompanied by extreme police violence, and systematic violation of human rights throughout stages of the detention process.{{Cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/society/696444.html|title="Там творится какой-то ад". Истории людей, которые побывали в изоляторе на Окрестина после выборов|date=13 August 2020|website=TUT.BY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814062503/https://news.tut.by/society/696444.html |archive-date=14 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://24tv.ua/ru/belorusskie-tjurmy-ne-spravljajutsja-podrobnosti-novosti-belarus_n1395679|title=Белорусские тюрьмы не справляются: подробности об условиях для задержанных активистов|website=24 Канал|date=13 August 2020 }}{{Cite web|url=https://newgrodno.by/society/v-tyurme-nas-razdeli-dogola-i-zastavili-prisedat-byvshij-sotrudnik-mchs-rasskazal-kak-byl-zhestko-zaderzhan-i-provel-odnu-noch-v-zaklyuchenii/|title="В тюрьме нас раздели догола и заставили приседать": бывший сотрудник МЧС рассказал, как был жестко задержан и провел одну ночь в заключении|date=13 August 2020|website=NewGrodno.By|access-date=2020-08-13 |archive-date=2020-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924205153/https://newgrodno.by/society/v-tyurme-nas-razdeli-dogola-i-zastavili-prisedat-byvshij-sotrudnik-mchs-rasskazal-kak-byl-zhestko-zaderzhan-i-provel-odnu-noch-v-zaklyuchenii/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2020-08-12/belorusskiy_pravozachitnik_o_zaderzhaniyah_zhurnalistov_usloviyah_v_tyurmah_i_sudah_pod_kopirku|title=Белорусский правозащитник — о задержаниях людей, пытках в тюрьмах и конвейерных судах|website=znak.com|access-date=2020-08-13 |archive-date=2020-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820081718/https://www.znak.com/2020-08-12/belorusskiy_pravozachitnik_o_zaderzhaniyah_zhurnalistov_usloviyah_v_tyurmah_i_sudah_pod_kopirku|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title='How Can This Be Our Country?': Claims Of Torture Abound As Belarusian Jails Swell |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/how-can-this-be-our-country-claims-of-torture-abound-as-belarusian-jails-swell/30782196.html |newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=13 August 2020 |access-date=13 August 2020|last1=Rozhanskiy |first1=Timofei |last2=Chizhova |first2=Lyubov |last3=Scollon |first3=Michael }}{{cite news|last=Sandford|first=Alasdair|date=14 August 2020|title=Belarus crackdown: Evidence grows of widespread torture as protesters are freed|publisher=Euro news|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/14/belarus-crackdown-evidence-grows-of-widespread-torture-as-protesters-are-freed}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53776461 |title='If you croak we don't care': Brutality in Belarus |work=BBC News |last=Fokht |first=Elizaveta |date=15 August 2020}}{{Cite web|title=СМИ опубликовали аудиозапись пыток в минском СИЗО. На ней слышны крики и удары|url=https://gordonua.com/news/worldnews/smi-opublikovali-audiozapis-pytok-v-minskom-sizo-na-ney-slyshny-kriki-i-udary-1513860.html|access-date=16 August 2020|website=gordonua.com|date=16 August 2020 }}{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2022}}

On 14 August, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) issued a statement that condemned the arbitrary detainment and torture of protesters across Belarus following the election. According to the statement, such actions suggested crimes against humanity. The statement also called for an unbiased worldwide investigation into the "systematic and extremely violent oppression" of peaceful protests in Belarus.{{Cite web|title=Belarus: Widespread torture of protesters suggests crimes against humanity / 14 August 2020 / Statements / OMCT|url=https://www.omct.org/statements/belarus/2020/08/d26028/|access-date=18 August 2020|website=omct.org|archive-date=2020-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925010821/https://www.omct.org/statements/belarus/2020/08/d26028/|url-status=dead}}

On 19 August, the classification of these events as crimes against humanity, in accordance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, was supported in a Human Rights Foundation (HRF) statement. According to the statement, HRF identified fifteen persons from the Belarusian state apparatus who were responsible for the arbitrary detention, beating, and torture of thousands of peaceful protesters. Letters informing these persons of imminent criminal prosecution for crimes against humanity were sent to each of them on 17 August.{{cite web|date=19 August 2020|title=HRF Sends Letters to Belarusian Security Officers Accused of Crimes Against Humanity|url=https://hrf.org/press_posts/hrf-sends-letters-to-belarusian-security-officers-accused-of-crimes-against-humanity/|access-date=19 August 2020|publisher=Human Rights Foundation|archive-date=2020-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913033403/https://hrf.org/press_posts/hrf-sends-letters-to-belarusian-security-officers-accused-of-crimes-against-humanity/|url-status=dead}}

On 17 August, the human rights advocates from the Belarusian education and social association "Zvyano" ("Link") issued the "Report on the violation of human rights of the participants in the protests in Belarus from 7 to 14 August 2020", based on interviews with 30 victims of the police abuse, as well as on interviews with doctors of several Minsk hospitals. Some of the cases were supported by audio or video evidence. On that same day, a statement to the Prosecutor General's Office of Belarus with request to perform an investigation of the police' actions on the basis of 16 articles of Criminal Code of Belarus, including murder, torture, and rape, was issued by Viktar Babaryka's electoral campaign manager, Maria Kalesnikava.{{cite web |url=https://babariko.vision/news/zayavlenie-v-generalnuyu-prokuraturu |title=Заявление в Генеральную Прокуратуру |date=17 August 2020 |access-date=19 August 2020 |website=babariko.vision |language=ru}}

The numerous human rights violations were corroborated and condemned by a number of former or current Belarusian police officers, such as Sergei Mikhasev, former employee of the Viciebsk police department, who was detained along with other protesters and spent several days in a detention center,{{Cite web|date=17 August 2020|title="Мне стыдно, что я служил в милиции". Экс-замначальника УВД задержали в день выборов бывшие подчиненные|url=https://news.tut.by/culture/696937.html|access-date=18 August 2020|website=TUT.BY|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822011022/https://news.tut.by/culture/696937.html |archive-date=22 August 2020 |url-status=dead}} and Yuri Makhnach, a police officer from Lida, who stated that the authorities had prepared them for a war against their own people.{{Cite web|date=17 August 2020|title="Готовили к войне против своего народа". Действующий подполковник милиции — о выборах и избиениях|url=https://news.tut.by/society/696994.html|access-date=18 August 2020|website=TUT.BY|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817135859/https://news.tut.by/society/696994.html |archive-date=17 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}

In a 20 August statement by the United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo underlined that the USA supported international efforts to look independently into Belarus’ electoral irregularities, the human rights abuses that surrounded the election, and the crackdown that had followed.

In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns remained about the eight missing protesters and the sixty accused of serious criminal acts. The statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for the government to stop unlawfully detaining people. The Commissioner also confirmed that there were four deaths and was greatly concerned about the allegations of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people, including journalists and children.{{cite web |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/belarus/press-briefing-notes-belarus |title=Press briefing notes on Belarus |publisher=reliefweb |date=21 August 2020}}

On 1 September, in a statement by the UN human rights experts, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons of men, women, and children.{{cite web |url=https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26199&LangID=E |title=UN human rights experts: Belarus must stop torturing protesters and prevent enforced disappearances |date=1 September 2020 |access-date=1 September 2020 |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights}}

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests.{{Cite web|title=В МВД Беларуси отрицают издевательства над задержанными в камерах|url=https://focus.ua/world/461120-v_mvd_belarusi_otritsaiut_izdevatelstva_nad_zaderzhannymi_v_kamerakh|access-date=22 August 2020|website=ФОКУС|date=14 August 2020|language=ru-UA}} However, the beatings of the detainees, including at Akrestsina, were recognized by Alexander Lukashenko himself.{{Cite web|last=Владыко|first=Александр|date=17 August 2020|title=Лукашенко про ЦИП на Окрестина: получили те, кто бросался на ментов – Люди Onliner|url=https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/17/lukashenko-pro-okrestino-poluchili-te-kto-brosalsya-na-mentov|access-date=28 August 2020|website=Onliner|language=ru}}{{Cite web|date=22 August 2020|title="60% фото – фейки", "вы их простите". Лукашенко в Гродно пояснил действия ОМОНа и рассказал о гибридной войне против Беларуси|url=https://ru.hrodna.life/2020/08/22/lukashenko-omon/|access-date=28 August 2020|website=Hrodna.life – русская версия|language=ru-RU}}

On 26 October, Anais Marin, the UN human rights investigator, called on the Belarus government to "stop repressing its own people". Around 20,000 people were detained in August and September, while hundreds have been reportedly beaten, intimidated, tortured, or ill-treated in custody, according to the sources described by Anais Marin. Belarus has witnessed large-scale demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko's re-election to a sixth term in the August 9 voting, which the opposition argues was rigged.{{cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/un-investigator-says-belarus-must-stop-repressing-its-people-1.650046|title=UN investigator says Belarus must stop repressing its people|access-date=27 October 2020|website=Stars and Stripes|archive-date=2020-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101060714/https://www.stripes.com/news/europe/un-investigator-says-belarus-must-stop-repressing-its-people-1.650046|url-status=dead}}

On 3 November 2020, UN experts criticized Belarus government for targeting women human rights defenders, during the mass protests. Three women human rights defenders were detained and persecuted by the authorities for their work as rights activists in September and early October.{{cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1076822|title=Belarus targets women human rights defenders after disputed August elections |access-date=3 November 2020|website=UN News|date=3 November 2020 }}

On 6 November 2020, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe revealed in a letter about the human rights violations and cases of torture in Belarus, following the elections, where security forces used excessive violence against protesters. The report also stated to hold new presidential elections and initiated an investigation into allegations of torture.{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/belarus-elections-torture-human-rights-b1638750.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106155953/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/belarus-elections-torture-human-rights-b1638750.html |archive-date=2020-11-06 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title= Belarus should hold new elections after massive and systemic' human rights violations, report finds |access-date= 6 November 2020 |website= The Independent |date= 6 November 2020 }}

On 15 November 2020, the UN human rights office said the government of Belarus continued to commit human rights violations with impunity against peaceful protesters three months after the country's disputed presidential elections. The UN claimed that the government had responded to these peaceful demonstrations in a heavy-handed manner, with the use of unnecessary or excessive force by law enforcement officials.

On 22 November, more than 200 people were detained in Minsk.{{cite web|language=ru|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/belarus-protests-lukashenko-latest-b1759972.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122165112/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/belarus-protests-lukashenko-latest-b1759972.html |archive-date=2020-11-22 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Dozens arrested as thousands of demonstrators join Belarus protests|website=Independent.co.uk|agency=Reuters|date=2020-11-22|access-date=2020-11-24}}{{cite web|language=ru|url=https://tass.com/world/1226527|title=Over 200 protesters detained in Minsk on Sunday – police|agency=TASS|date=2020-11-22|access-date=2020-11-24}}

{{main|Censorship in Belarus}}

During the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, reports of attacks increased. On 23 July, Lukashenko stated during a meeting with the leaders of the country's economic bloc, that his main concern was that the BBC and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty had encouraged riots while streaming protests. Lukashenko also threatened to expel media and ban them from reporting on the election.{{cite news|date=23 July 2020|title=Belarus: Leader Threatens to Expel Media Over Election News|newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/belarus-leader-threatens-to-expel-media-over-election-news/2020/07/23/8c2b073a-ccf3-11ea-99b0-8426e26d203b_story.html}}

On 9–11 August, several independent journalists were arrested in Minsk, Brest, and Babruisk.[https://news.tut.by/society/696210.html Второй день протестов в Беларуси. Первый погибший и баррикады] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813204254/https://news.tut.by/society/696210.html |date=2020-08-13 }}. News.tut.by (11 August 2020). Retrieved 12 August 2020. According to a statement by the Belarusian Association of Journalists, on 10 August, internal troops and other government forces deliberately shot rubber bullets at independent journalists in Minsk (including TUT.BY and Nasha Niva). The journalists wore special high visibility jackets and had personal IDs. Nasha Niva editor-in-chief (also wearing a jacket) disappeared during the night. He managed to send an SOS SMS message to his wife, saying he was arrested. His fate was unknown as of 13:30 local time, and the Nasha Niva website was not updated for several hours after his presumed arrest.[https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/11/zaderzhali-redaktora-nashej-nivy О задержанном редакторе "Нашей Нивы"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920025016/https://people.onliner.by/2020/08/11/zaderzhali-redaktora-nashej-nivy |date=2020-09-20 }}. People.onliner.by (11 August 2020). Retrieved 12 August 2020. Several journalists, including foreigners, were slightly injured during the suppression of the protests. A rubber bullet hit the plastic ID of Getty Images' photojournalist Michal Fridman. Several Russian journalists from both official media and Internet projects were arrested but released soon after.[https://news.tut.by/society/696218.html В Минске пропали фотокорреспондент МИА «Россия сегодня» и главред «Нашай Нівы». Пострадали несколько журналистов] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913031909/https://news.tut.by/society/696218.html |date=2020-09-13 }}. News.tut.by (11 August 2020). Retrieved 12 August 2020.

On 10 August, local journalists reported problems with all major communication platforms and pro-opposition websites.

On 11 August, it was reported that police officers and other government agents forcibly took away memory cards from journalists' devices. They also forced them to delete photos or crushed their cameras.{{cite news |url=https://news.tut.by/society/696279.html |title=Много техники и силовиков, отобранные у фотографов СМИ флешки. Что происходит 11 августа в городах страны. Онлайн. |trans-title=A lot of equipment and security personnel, selected from the photographers of the media flash drives. What's happening in the country's cities August 11. Online. |website=News.tut.by |date=11 August 2020 |access-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812070012/https://news.tut.by/society/696279.html |archive-date=12 August 2020 |url-status=dead}} BBC News Russia reported that three of its journalists were beaten by the government forces that night while covering the protests.Kozenko, Andrei; Ivshina, Olga; Prosvirova, Olga and Zakharov, Andrei (9 August 2020) [https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-53698604 Протесты в Беларуси: после третьей ночи столкновений запретили пиротехнику]. BBC. Retrieved 12 August 2020. Russian journalist Nikita Telizhenko was heavily beaten in Belarusian jail: he was arrested in Minsk and sent to Zhodzina because of jails' overcrowding in Minsk. In Zhodzina he was beaten on his kidneys, legs, and neck, but he was soon released at the Russian embassy's request.{{Cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2020-08-12/korrespondent_znak_com_nikita_telizhenko_byl_izbit_v_ivs_zhodinskogo_rayona_belorussii|title=Корреспондент Znak.com Никита Телиженко был избит в ИВС Жодинского района Белоруссии|website=znak.com|access-date=2020-08-13 |archive-date=2021-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227194717/https://www.znak.com/2020-08-12/korrespondent_znak_com_nikita_telizhenko_byl_izbit_v_ivs_zhodinskogo_rayona_belorussii|url-status=dead}} Arrested Russian journalist Artyom Vazhenkov was reported to be accused of mass rioting (punishable by up to 15 years of prison in Belarus).{{Cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2020-08-13/koordinatoru_otkrytoy_rossii_grozit_do_15_let_kolonii_v_belorussii|title=Координатору "Открытой России", задержанному в Белоруссии, грозит до 15 лет колонии|website=znak.com|access-date=2020-08-13 |archive-date=2021-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416194737/https://www.znak.com/2020-08-13/koordinatoru_otkrytoy_rossii_grozit_do_15_let_kolonii_v_belorussii|url-status=dead}}

On 12 August, Belsat journalist Jauhien Merkis was arrested in Homel while covering the protests. Even though he was there as a journalist, the next day, the local court sentenced him to 15 days in jail for "participation in an unauthorized mass event".[https://naviny.by/new/20200813/1597340087-v-gomele-arestovali-zhurnalista-evgeniya-merkisa В Гомеле арестовали журналиста Евгения Меркиса] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818191348/https://naviny.by/new/20200813/1597340087-v-gomele-arestovali-zhurnalista-evgeniya-merkisa |date=2020-08-18 }}. Naviny.by (13 August 2020). Retrieved 13 August 2020. He was released soon after, but on 21 August he was arrested again and was given 5 days in jail.{{Cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/society/697911.html|title=Задержанному в пятницу в Гомеле журналисту-фрилансеру дали 5 суток|date=24 August 2020|website=TUT.BY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913034521/https://news.tut.by/society/697911.html |archive-date=13 September 2020 |url-status=dead}} Journalist Ruslan Kulevich from Hrodna, arrested on 11 August, was freed on 14 August with fractures of both hands.{{Cite web|url=https://nn.by/?c=ar&i=257105|title=У журналіста hrodna.life Руслана Кулевіча пераломы абедзвюх рук|website=Наша Ніва|date=14 August 2020 }}

One of the few communication systems that managed to avoid censorship was the independent Belarusian-owned Nexta Telegram channel based in Warsaw. The channel's subscribers rose from 100,000 on election night to over a million after a day.{{Cite news|last=Kuryshko|first=Diana|date=12 August 2020|title=How messenger app bypassed Belarus news blackout|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53753412|access-date=13 August 2020}} The channel published user-generated videos, photos, and comments of the protests.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53753412 |title=Belarus election: How Nexta channel bypassed news blackout |work=BBC News |date=12 August 2020}} The founder of Nexta himself faced up to 15 years of prison after being indicted by the regime.{{cite web |title=Criminal case launched against NEXTA. He faces up to 15 years in prison |url=https://belsat.eu/en/news/criminal-case-launched-against-nexta-he-faces-up-to-15-years-in-prison/ |website=belsat.eu}} The use of Telegram software provided the protesters with communication channels to share information and coordinate protest action.{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 11, 2020 |title=There's more to Belarus's 'Telegram Revolution' than a cellphone app |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/11/theres-more-belaruss-telegram-revolution-than-cellphone-app/ |quote=highlighting the use of the popular messaging app for sharing information.}} Its sister channel Nexta TV has more than 700,000 followers. Belarus of the Brain's had over 470,000 followers. Officials opened a criminal probe into Stsiapan Putsila, founder of Nexta, on charges of fomenting mass riots. Ihar Losik, founder of the Telegram channel "Republic of Belarus of the Brain", was arrested before the election, but the channel also continued to operate.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/823180da2b402f6a1dc9fbd76a6f476b |title='Telegram revolution': App helps drive Belarus protests |last=Litvinova |first=Daria |publisher=AP News |date=21 August 2020}}

On 15 August, a meeting was held with the head of the upper chamber of Parliament of Belarus Natalia Kochanova and press Secretary of the President of Belarus Natalia Eismont. The audience, the workers at the Belarusian TV and radio company in Minsk, asked why the station was not broadcasting the truth. The officials had been escorted to the building by riot police who took control of the building.{{cite news |url=https://www.kxan36news.com/riot-police-took-custody-of-the-minsk-television-center |title=Riot police took custody of the Minsk television centre |publisher=kxan36 |date=15 August 2020}} Thousands of protesters outside demanded the station show people the truth. It was also reported that some staff had resigned and one hundred were planning to strike on Monday.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53790741 |title=Belarus: Thousands protest outside state TV building |publisher=BBC |last= Tikhanovskaya |first=Svetlana |date=15 August 2020}}{{cite news|date=16 August 2020|title=Lukashenko says Putin has offered help as Belarus gears for 'March of Freedom'|publisher=France 24|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200816-lukashenko-says-putin-offers-help-as-belarus-protesters-plan-march-of-freedom}}

It was reported that on 18 June, reporters from various countries, arriving in Minsk airport, were pulled out of passport control, interrogated and locked up before being refused entry and being told to buy a plane ticket to some other country, in an attempt to suppress the media.{{cite news |url=https://news.postimees.ee/7044063/minsk-border-guards-watched-journalists-like-they-were-prisoners |title=Minsk border guards watched journalists like they were prisoners |work=Postimees |date=21 August 2020}}

On 21 August 72 to 73 websites were blocked in Belarus, including several independent news portals (Radio Liberty/Free Europe in Belarus svaboda.org, by.tribuna.com sport news, euroradio.fm (European Radio for Belarus), Belsat.eu (Belsat TV), gazetaby.com, the-village.me/news and others), electoral sites of Tsepkalo and Babaryka, "Golos" and "Zubr" platforms, spring96.org human rights portal, and several VPN services.{{Cite web|url=https://42.tut.by/697663|title=В Беларуси ограничили доступ к десяткам сайтов. Вот список|date=22 August 2020|publisher=TUT.BY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822001207/https://42.tut.by/697663 |archive-date=22 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://tech.onliner.by/2020/08/22/v-belarusi-zablokirovan-ryad-sajtov|title=В Беларуси заблокирован ряд сайтов. В том числе и СМИ – Технологии Onliner|first=Виталий|last=Олехнович|work=Onlíner|date=22 August 2020|publisher=Onliner.by|archive-date=2021-01-23 |access-date=2020-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123024511/https://tech.onliner.by/2020/08/22/v-belarusi-zablokirovan-ryad-sajtov|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://nn.by/?c=ar&i=257631&lang=ru|title=Среди заблокированных — мегапопулярный спортивный сайт By.tribuna.com|publisher=Nasha Niva}}

As of 21 August, the Belarusian edition of Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper failed to print three editions, and Narodnaja Volya failed to print a newspaper edition (both newspapers had a contract with the government-controlled printing house). The Belarusian Association of Journalists stated that the real cause was not technical troubles, but an attempt to block information about the protests and violations of human rights.{{Cite web|url=https://belapan.by/archive/2020/08/22/ru_1056325/|title=БелаПАН. БАЖ требует от властей прекратить блокировку сайтов СМИ и давление на прессу|website=belapan.by| date=22 August 2020 }} Two other independent newspapers (BelGazeta and Svobodnye Novosti) also were unable to print new editions in Belarus.{{Cite web|url=https://nn.by/?c=ar&i=257898&lang=ru|title=Свежую "толстушку" "Комсомольская правда" вынужденно печатала в России|website=Наша Ніва|date=26 August 2020 }} New editions of Komsomolskaya Pravda and Narodnaja Volya were printed in Russia, but the state network of newsstands "Belsoyuzpechat'" denied to take them for sale. These newspapers also reported that the post service delayed the delivery by subscription.{{Cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/society/698187.html|title=Белорусская "Комсомолка" и "Народная воля" начали печататься в России. Но теперь их не берут в киоски|date=26 August 2020|website=TUT.BY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827205343/https://news.tut.by/society/698187.html |archive-date=27 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}

On 27 August, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk.{{Cite web|date=27 August 2020|title=Around 20 journalists arrested for covering anti-government protests in Belarus|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/27/around-20-journalists-arrested-covering-anti-government-protests-belarus-13188536/|access-date=28 August 2020|website=Metro}}{{Cite web|title=Several journalists apprehended in Minsk, including TASS press photographer Bobylev|url=https://tass.com/society/1194583|access-date=28 August 2020|agency=TASS}}{{Cite news|date=27 August 2020|title=Belarus detains around 20 journalists preparing to cover protest: Reuters witness|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-election-journalists-idUSKBN25N2J5|access-date=28 August 2020}} The journalists were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/30805964.html|title=На менскай плошчы Свабоды масава затрымалі журналістаў. Сярод іх — фатограф Радыё Свабода|website=Радыё Свабода|date=27 August 2020 |last1=Свабода |first1=Радыё }}

On 29 August, accreditation of several foreign journalists was revoked; they worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Associated Press, Reuters, AFP, BBC, ARD, Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle and Current Time TV. It was reported that some of them (including Paul Hansen) were deported from Belarus.{{Cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/society/698567.html|title=Работающих в Беларуси на иностранные СМИ журналистов массово лишают аккредитации|date=29 August 2020|website=TUT.BY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830035405/https://news.tut.by/society/698567.html |archive-date=30 August 2020 |url-status=dead}} Independent news web sites naviny.by and nn.by (Nasha Niva) were blocked in Belarus.{{Cite web|url=https://tech.onliner.by/2020/08/29/nasha-niva|title=В Беларуси заблокировали "Нашу Нiву" и naviny.by, журналистов иностранных СМИ лишают аккредитации – Технологии Onliner|first=Евгения|last=Штейн|date=29 August 2020|website=Onliner|access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-date=2020-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929075549/https://tech.onliner.by/2020/08/29/nasha-niva|url-status=dead}}

On 1 September, 6 Belarusian journalists who covered the protest march of students in Minsk were detained. Initially they were taken to the police office to check the documents, but they were later charged with "participation in an unauthorized mass event" and coordination of the protests.{{cite web |url=https://officelife.media/news/19996-shest-zhurnalistov-sudyat-po-state-za-uchastie-v-aktsii/ |title=Шестерых журналистов судят по статье за участие в акции |date=2 September 2020 |access-date=2 September 2020 |website=officelife.media |language=ru |archive-date=2021-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302101532/https://officelife.media/news/19996-shest-zhurnalistov-sudyat-po-state-za-uchastie-v-aktsii/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://news.tut.by/society/699046.html |title=Дела журналистов снова отправляют на доработку в РУВД |date=2 September 2020 |access-date=2 September 2020 |publisher=tut.by |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902215344/https://news.tut.by/society/699046.html |archive-date=2 September 2020 |url-status=dead}}

Starting 5 October, only state-approved and sponsored media were allowed to act as journalists in Belarus. This was achieved through journalist licenses, which was first announced on 2 October after TUT.BY, and several other news organizations were stripped of their journalist mandates. The licenses were strictly issued by the Belarusian government and forbid all medias from chronicling protests, demonstrations and other material deemed as "anti-governmental" by the state.{{cite news |url=https://zik.ua/ru/news/world/v_belarusi_lishili_akkreditacii_vseh_zhurnalistov_inostrannyh_smi_982549 |title=В Беларуси лишили аккредитации всех журналистов иностранных СМИ |publisher=Zik Ukraine |date=2 October 2020 |language=ru |access-date=2020-10-05 |archive-date=2020-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005054531/https://zik.ua/ru/news/world/v_belarusi_lishili_akkreditacii_vseh_zhurnalistov_inostrannyh_smi_982549 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-cancels-all-accreditation-for-foreign-journalists/a-55130433 |title=Belarus cancels all accreditation for foreign journalists |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=2 October 2020}}

Photographers working for the Russian state-owned agencies Komsomolskaya Pravda and TASS were detained on 12 October during the second seniors' march.{{cite news|url=https://news.tut.by/society/703685.html |title=Газ и стычки с силовиками на марше пенсионеров. Что происходит в Беларуси 12 октября |publisher=tut.by |date=12 October 2020 |access-date=13 October 2020 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012125804/https://news.tut.by/society/703685.html |archive-date=12 October 2020 |url-status=dead}}

On 12 November, anarchist activist and journalist Mikola Dziadok was arrested in a safe house in Asipovichy District.{{cite web|url=https://naviny.media/new/20201112/1605191992-mvd-soobshchilo-o-zaderzhanii-blogera-aktivista-anarhistskogo-dvizheniya|title=МВД сообщило о задержании блогера, активиста анархистского движения Николая Дедка|publisher=Naviny|date=12 November 2020|access-date=23 November 2020|language=ru|archive-date=2020-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113060752/https://naviny.media/new/20201112/1605191992-mvd-soobshchilo-o-zaderzhanii-blogera-aktivista-anarhistskogo-dvizheniya|url-status=usurped}} His Telegram channel was captured by the police.{{cite web|url=https://42.tut.by/707646|title=Неизвестные получили доступ к Telegram-каналу анархиста Дедка. Сам Николай задержан|language=ru|publisher=TUT|date=12 November 2020|access-date=23 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127160633/https://42.tut.by/707646 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |url-status=dead}} He was beaten during the arrest.{{cite web|url=https://belsat.eu/en/news/anarchist-dzyadok-detained-and-beaten-by-police/|title=Anarchist Dzyadok detained and beaten by police|date=13 November 2020|access-date=23 November 2020|first=Mikalai|last=Dzyadok|publisher=Belsat}} The "Anarchist Black Cross" claimed that he was tortured to give access to his computer data.{{cite web|url=https://abc-belarus.org/?p=13349|title=Николая Дедка после задержания пытали для дачи показаний и доступа к компьютеру|publisher=Belarus Anarchist Black Cross|language=ru|date=13 November 2020|access-date=23 November 2020}}

On 19 November, NEXTA founder Stsiapan Putsila and former chief-editor Roman Protasevich were added to the terrorism list by the Belarusian KGB. The list included 726 persons, Putsila and Protasevich were the only Belarusian citizens on it.{{cite web|language=ru|url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2020/11/19/belarusian-kgb-adds-creators-of-opposition-telegram-channel-nexta-to-terrorism-list|title=Belarusian KGB adds creators of opposition Telegram channel 'Nexta' to terrorism list|publisher=Meduza|date=2020-11-19|access-date=2020-11-24}}

On 3 December, a court in Minsk stripped TUT.BY of its media license over allegedly spreading "false information."{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/07/belarus-escalates-crackdown-independent-journalism|title=Belarus Escalates Crackdown on Independent Journalism|author=Anastasiia Zlobina|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=2020-12-07|access-date=2020-12-09}}

On 23 May 2021, Belarusian authorities ordered Ryanair Flight 4978, a passenger plane flying from Greece to Lithuania, to land while over Belarusian airspace, and sent a fighter jet to intercept the plane and escort it to Minsk. While there police entered the plane and arrested Roman Protasevich, a Belarusian journalist who had been critical of Lukashenko's government; the plane was then allowed to leave. The action prompted widespread condemnation and sanctions from various European countries.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57229635 |title=Who is Roman Protasevich? Belarus dissident journalist in profile |website=BBC |date=24 May 2021 }}

On 1 June, Belarusian prisoner Stepan Latypov, detained in a crackdown on protests, attempted to cut his own throat with a pen during a court hearing after telling his family that he had been held in a torture cell for 51 days and being informed by police that his relatives and neighbors would be prosecuted under criminal law if he did not confess.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarusian-prisoner-tries-cut-own-throat-court-hearing-local-media-2021-06-01/ |title=Belarusian prisoner tries to cut own throat in court hearing |website=Reuters |date=1 June 2021 }}

The Christian Vision working group of the Coordination Council reported that during the election campaign and during the protests in 2020, a number of employees of religious organisations were dismissed or forced to resign because of their political beliefs.{{Cite web|title=Увольнения в церковных институтах по политическим мотивам — Царква і палітычны крызіс у Беларусі|date=8 November 2020|url=https://belarus2020.churchby.info/uvolneniya-v-cerkovnyx-institutax-po-politicheskim-motivam/|access-date=2021-04-30|language=ru-RU|archive-date=2021-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429010228/https://belarus2020.churchby.info/uvolneniya-v-cerkovnyx-institutax-po-politicheskim-motivam/|url-status=dead}} A number of pastors and priests were detained, sentenced to arrest or fined,{{Cite web|title=Двух каталіцкіх святароў трымаюць за кратамі ў Баранавічах|url=https://belsat.eu/news/dvuh-katalitskih-svyatarou-trymayuts-za-kratami-u-baranavichah/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=belsat.eu|language=be}}{{Cite web|title=A Monitoring of the Persecution in Belarus of People on Religious Grounds During the Political Crisis (UPDATING) — Царква і палітычны крызіс у Беларусі|url=https://belarus2020.churchby.info/monitoring/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Church and the Political Crisis in Belarus|date=25 February 2021 |publisher=Christian Vision Group of the Co-ordination Council of Belarus}} received formal warnings from law-enforcing agencies{{Cite web|date=2020-11-18|title=Генпрокуратура отреагировала на заявления священнослужителей. "Спросить с деятелей" накануне велел Лукашенко|url=https://news.tut.by/society/708392.html|access-date=2021-04-30|website=TUT.BY|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428185354/https://news.tut.by/society/708392.html |archive-date=28 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Суд за малітву: папярэджанні двум святарам і аднаму верніку — Царква і палітычны крызіс у Беларусі|url=https://belarus2020.churchby.info/sud-za-malitvu-papyaredzhanni-dvum-svyataram-i-adnamu-verniku/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Church and the Political Crisis in Belarus|date=24 December 2020 |language=be}} or lost a permission for pastoral activity in Belarus for participating in protests,{{Cite web|title=Заявление группы Координационного совета "Христианское видение" по поводу вынесения второго предупреждения иерею Александру Богдану — Царква і палітычны крызіс у Беларусі|url=https://belarus2020.churchby.info/zajavlenije-vtoroe-o-alexander-bogdan/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Church and the Political Crisis in Belarus|date=16 October 2020 |language=ru-RU}} their public support,{{Cite web|title=Statement of the Christian Vision Group of the Coordination Council regarding the Persecution of Fr Viachaslau Barok — Царква і палітычны крызіс у Беларусі|url=https://belarus2020.churchby.info/statement-of-the-christian-vision-group-of-the-coordination-council-regarding-the-persecution-of-fr-viachaslau-barok/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Church and the Political Crisis in Belarus|date=3 December 2020 }} or being{{Cite web|last=Дайлід|first=Павел|date=2020-11-30|title=В Ивацевичах на сутки отправили священника|url=https://1reg.by/2020/11/30/v-ivacevichah-na-sutki-otpravili-svyashhennika/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Першы рэгiён|language=ru-RU}} close to protest sites. Orthodox priest Vladimir Drobyshevsky and his family, the family of Old Believers German and Natalia Snezhkov and Roman Catholic priest Dzmitry Prystupa{{Cite web|date=2021-04-07|title="Такого человечища еще поискать". История провинциального ксендза, который бежал от "уголовки" за протесты|url=https://news.tut.by/society/725445.html|access-date=2021-04-30|website=TUT.BY|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429091956/https://news.tut.by/society/725445.html |archive-date=29 April 2021 |url-status=dead}} left Belarus escaping persecution. The Investigative Committee submitted the content of Roman Catholic priest Viachaslau Barok's video blog for examination on suspicion of extremism.{{Cite web|title=Ксёндз Вячаслаў Барок. Следчы Камітэт пакуль не ўбачыў экстрэмізму на ютуб-канале ксяндза. — Царква і палітычны крызіс у Беларусі|url=https://belarus2020.churchby.info/ksyondz-vyachasla%d1%9e-barok-sledchy-kamitet-pakul-ne-%d1%9ebachy%d1%9e-ekstremizmu-na-yutub-kanale-ksyandza/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Church and the Political Crisis in Belarus|language=be}} The Belarusian Orthodox Church and two Greek Catholic parishes received formal warnings of violating the law, which, in case of repeated violations, could have been used by courts to close these religious organisations down. The head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Pavel (Ponomarev), resigned as Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; he admitted that the change of Exarch was due to the political situation. Roman Catholic Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry to the country and lived in exile for four months.{{Cite web|last=Allen|first=John L. Jr.|date=Oct 9, 2020|title=Vatican 'not optimistic' exiled Belarus archbishop will return|url=https://cruxnow.com/interviews/2020/10/vatican-not-optimistic-exiled-belarus-archbishop-will-return/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Crux}} The broadcast of Sunday's Roman Catholic Mass was canceled by the national radiostation.{{Cite web|title=Трансляцый святой Імшы на радыё ў верасні не будзе. Тэхнічныя прычыны — ні пры чым|url=https://catholic.by/3/news/belarus/12163-translyatsyj-svyatoj-imshy-na-radyjo-verasni-ne-budze-tekhnichnyya-prychyny-ne-pry-chym|access-date=2021-04-30|website=catholic.by|language=be-by}} Peacefully protesting or just praying lay believers were detained and arrested on various grounds. Some were tortured.{{Cite web|title="I remember the words of one riot police officer vividly: "I would burn all of you alive if I had a chance!"|url=https://august2020.info/en/detail-page/161|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Август 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Заявление группы Координационного совета "Христианское видение" по поводу административного ареста в отношении Дмитрия Дашкевича и Артема Ткачука — Царква і палітычны крызіс у Беларусі|url=https://belarus2020.churchby.info/zajavlenije-po-dashkevich-i-tkachuk/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Church and the Political Crisis in Belarus|date=28 October 2020 |language=ru-RU}} The right of arrested believers to have objects of worship and to use religious literature in pre-trial detention and penitentiary institutions has been repeatedly violated.

On August 22, 2020, Alexander Lukashenko called on religious communities to not support the protests, shamed them for their participation in protests, and warned that "the state will not look at it with indifference."{{Cite web|title=Лукашенко: церкви, костелы — не для политики — Царква і палітычны крызіс у Беларусі|url=https://belarus2020.churchby.info/lukashenko-cerkvi-kostely-ne-dlya-politiki/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Church and the Political Crisis in Belarus|date=22 August 2020 |language=ru-RU}}

One of the industries most affected by the government's reactions to protests was the Belarusian IT industry.

Multiple IT companies operating in Belarus began moving their employees and operations outside of the country due to internet shutdowns, namely in Minsk. The intermittent cut-offs, starting in August 2020, were said to have caused major difficulties in the IT industry.{{Cite web|title="В стране террор, люди боятся ехать в офис": зачем белорусские IT-предприниматели перевозят сотрудников в другие страны и сколько это стоит|url=https://www.forbes.ru/tehnologii/413905-v-strane-terror-lyudi-boyatsya-ehat-v-ofis-zachem-belorusskie-it-predprinimateli|access-date=2021-02-04|website=Forbes.ru|date=20 November 2020 |language=ru}} A survey conducted by Belarus IT CEO Club shortly after the presidential elections in 2020, in conjunction with RegisConsult, surveyed 270 owners and managers of IT companies in Belarus. 38% of the participants stated that their companies were exploring options for changing their offices’ location. 11% of participants said that their companies had already left or were in the process of transferring part of their workforce outside of the country; 3% of the surveyed stated that their companies had left Belarus completely or were in the process of relocating all employees.{{Cite web|title=Кризис 2020 в ИТ: осенний опрос Belarus IT CEO Club {{!}} Belarus IT Companies Club|url=https://www.bicc.co/news/krizis-2020-v-it-opros-belarus-it-ceo-club-osen-2020/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=www.bicc.co|date=20 October 2020|archive-date=2021-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120110544/https://www.bicc.co/news/krizis-2020-v-it-opros-belarus-it-ceo-club-osen-2020/|url-status=dead}}

Global success story World of Tanks relocated employees from Belarus to Vilnius, Kyiv and other countries. However the company did not take a public stance against the government's actions, possibly out of fear that its employees could be detained as hostages.{{cite web | url=https://www.thetribune.com/threatened-belarus-it-disperses-regroups-outside-the-country/ | title=Threatened Belarus IT disperses, regroups outside the country | date=20 July 2021 }}

Software developer SoftSwiss transferred more than 100 employees to Ukraine in August 2020, claiming it was unable to continue to provide its services otherwise. The company stated they were planning a permanent move outside of Belarus by the end of 2021, stating their reasons are linked to the volatile situation in the country.

Global game developer, Gismart, was also affected. While Gismart is headquartered in the United Kingdom, it employed dozens of people in Belarus. Similar to SoftSwiss, in August 2020, Gismart began to move its Belarus-based employees out of the country. The company launched a relocation program in response to the growing number of requests from employees concerned about the unrest in Belarus. The company said that these employees’ work would not have been possible without a stable internet connection.

{{main|International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests}}

File:BelarusElections2020-InternationalReaction.svg

{{legend|#0000ff|Belarus}}

{{legend|#4daf4a|Congratulated Lukashenko}}

{{legend|#f58c1cff|Recognised Tsikhanouskaya as winner}}

{{legend|#e41a1c|Not recognised result }}{{Legend|#F98989|Expressed criticism over conflict escalation}}{{legend|#c0c0c0ff|No reaction}}]]

Countries and organisations voiced their opinions with some accepting and rejecting the election result. Many have commented about the protests with more condemning the violence. Some have done the following actions in relation with Belarus.

{{main|List of people and organizations sanctioned in relation to human rights violations in Belarus#Sanctions after the disputed 2020 presidential election}}

{{#section-h:List of people and organizations sanctioned in relation to human rights violations in Belarus|2020}}

According to Russia's press service statement issued on 19 August 2020, "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further escalate tensions".{{Cite web|title=Putin tells Merkel foreign interference in Belarus' affairs is unacceptable|url=https://tass.com/politics/1190881|access-date=19 August 2020|agency=TASS}} Georgy Saralidze, advisor to the director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company on program policy, noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that western countries had been striving to isolate Belarus away from Russia for several years. "The main goal is to prevent the expansion of the Union State, and ideally just to destroy it. What Vladimir Putin said to Merkel and Macron is a very symptomatic thing, because now there are attacks that Russia allegedly interferes in the affairs of Belarus. Moreover, there are no statements on the part of Russia, apart from the recognition of the election results. If you call it interference, then those who do not recognize the election also interfere in the affairs of Belarus."{{Cite web|title=Москва призвала Париж и Берлин не вмешиваться в дела Беларуси|url=https://vestikavkaza.ru/news/makron-ekstrenno-pozvonil-putinu-po-belarusi.html|access-date=19 August 2020|website=vestikavkaza.ru|date=18 August 2020 |language=ru-RU}}

Lukashenko announced a week after the election that NATO forces were, "at the gates" and threatening the country (which was denied by NATO{{cite news |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_177525.htm |title=NATO Secretary General discusses Belarus with President of Poland |publisher=NATO |date=18 August 2020}}), prompting President Putin to offer to send in military assistance,{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-rival-rallies-as-lukashenko-claims-nato-deployed-to-border/a-54586752 |title=Belarus: Rival rallies as Lukashenko claims NATO deployed to border |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=16 August 2020}} A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, on 19 August stated that there was no need for Russia to help Belarus militarily or otherwise at present.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53831663 |title=Belarus unrest: Lukashenko steps up efforts to reassert control |publisher=BBC |date=19 August 2020}} Belarus and Russia are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a Russia-led military alliance of six former Soviet states,{{cite news |title=Is Belarus closer to the West or to Russia? |url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-european-union-russia/a-54613952 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=18 August 2020}} and part of a Belarus–Russia Union State.{{cite news |title=Russia Slams 'Foreign Meddling' in Belarus, Rules Out Immediate Military Aid |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/08/19/russia-slams-foreign-meddling-in-belarus-rules-out-immediate-military-aid-a71199 |work=The Moscow Times |date=19 August 2020}}{{cite news |title=Kremlin Says It Sees No Need to Help Belarus Militarily for Now |url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/08/19/world/europe/19reuters-belarus-election-kremlin.html |work=The New York Times |date=19 August 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} President of the European Council Charles Michel spoke on 19 August about interference in Belarus, "It’s important for both the EU and Russia to support the democratic process in Belarus. We want to avoid external interference in Belarus." He added that he had read recent statements from Kremlin that it does not intend to interfere militarily.{{cite news |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/belgium-all-news/127514/2-in-3-no-longer-motivated-to-follow-belgiums-coronavirus-measures/ |title=EU no longer recognises Lukashenko as president of Belarus |work=Brussels Times |date=19 August 2020}}

On 18 September 2020, Belarus Foreign Minister accused United Nations Human Rights Council of meddling in Belarus internal affairs over the UN Human Rights Council's resolution calling for the close monitoring of alleged rights violations in Belarus. The resolution came after the violent crackdown on protests of disputed presidential election.{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200919-belarus-accuses-un-human-rights-council-of-interfering-in-internal-affairs|title=Belarus accuses UN Human Rights Council of interfering in internal affairs|date=19 September 2020|access-date=19 September 2020|publisher=France 24}}

On 17 April 2021, the Russian FSB issued a statement that it had prevented an attempt at a coup d'état in Belarus, said to have been planned with the support of the United States, in collaboration with the Belarusian KGB.{{cite web|url=http://www.fsb.ru/fsb/press/message/single.htm%21id%3D10439220%40fsbMessage.html|title=ФСБ РОССИИ СОВМЕСТНО С КГБ РЕСПУБЛИКИ БЕЛАРУСЬ ПРЕСЕЧЕНА ПРОТИВОПРАВНАЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ ГРАЖДАН РЕСПУБЛИКИ БЕЛАРУСЬ ЗЯНКОВИЧА ЮРИЯ ЛЕОНИДОВИЧА И ФЕДУТЫ АЛЕКСАНДРА ИОСИФОВИЧА, ПЛАНИРОВАВШИХ ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЕ ВОЕННОГО ПЕРЕВОРОТА В БЕЛОРУССИИ|access-date=24 April 2021|website=fsb.ru}} Some political pundits and the US Department of State dismissed the allegation as false.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/delo-o-popytke-gosperevorota-v-belarusi-kgb-obmanul-oppozicionerov/a-57265939|title=Дело о попытке госпереворота в Беларуси: КГБ обманул оппозиционеров?|access-date=24 April 2021|website=Deutsche Welle}}{{cite news|url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/31210019.html|title=Дзяржаўны дэпартамэнт ЗША адказаў на абвінавачаньні ў датычнасьці да "спробы замаху" на Лукашэнку|access-date=24 April 2021|newspaper=Радыё Свабода|date=18 April 2021 |last1=Свабода |first1=Радыё }}

In a May 2021 Zoom call, Carl Gershman and other senior officials of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) claimed to Russian comedians Vovan and Lexus (posing as Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and an aide) that the NED "support[s] many, many groups and [has] a very, very active program throughout the country" and that it had helped inspire the Belarusian protests.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/russian-pranksters-trick-us-officials-into-boasting-about-funding-protests-hbtwtvg6n |title=We fund Russian democracy protesters, boasts US group |last=Bennetts |first=Marc |newspaper=The Times |location=London |url-access=subscription |date=19 May 2021 |access-date=15 July 2021}}

On 14 August 2020, the Belarus Solidarity Foundation (BYSOL) was established. Its main aims are to support courtyard initiatives, emergency relocation, support for the families of political prisoners and helping those fired for political reasons. In 2020, BYSOL raised €2.9 million to support those fired for political reasons, striking factories, and people forced to relocate.{{cite web |title=Foundation statistics |url=https://bysol.org/en/about/stats/ |website=BYSOL |access-date=25 November 2021}}

Unregistered candidate Valery Tsepkalo created a non-profit organization "Belarus of the Future". The primary goal of the program was to support citizens of Belarus who suffered from political repression. Before the organization existed, people self-organized the funds with the intention to support victims of oppression in Belarus, using the funds to pay for fines received during the protests.{{Cite web|title=Беларусь будущего – Главная|url=https://belarus-future.org/|access-date=14 August 2020|website=belarus-future.org|archive-date=2020-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814223251/https://belarus-future.org/|url-status=dead}}

File:Protest in Torun against Poland's new abortion laws 9.11.2020.3.jpg against Poland's new abortion laws: protesters supporting Belarus democratic rallies]]

Mikita Mikado, the CEO of PandaDoc, which has Belarusian roots, offered to support authorities (police officers, army and security forces) that want to retire, but cannot for financial reasons.{{Cite web|title="Если проблема в деньгах". Микита Микадо поможет силовикам перейти на сторону добра|url=https://dev.by/news/milicia-s-mikado|access-date=15 August 2020|website=dev.by|language=ru}}{{Cite web|last=Zvezda|first=Sergey|date=13 August 2020|title=Глава PandaDoc предложил финансовую помощь белорусским силовикам, которые не могут уйти со службы только из-за денег — Офлайн на vc.ru|url=https://vc.ru/offline/149848-glava-pandadoc-predlozhil-finansovuyu-pomoshch-belorusskim-silovikam-kotorye-ne-mogut-uyti-so-sluzhby-tolko-iz-za-deneg|access-date=15 August 2020|website=vc.ru}} The CEO was planning to resign based on the latest events. Mikado published a video and asked to contact him directly to get full support.

Alexandre Schneerson, the CEO of ISSoft, announced "The Belarusian society has invested a lot in the IT industry. We are part of the people of Belarus and we believe that the time has come for IT specialists to support those who suffered during the peaceful protests."{{Cite web|last=Иванейко|first=Станислав|date=14 August 2020|title=Компания ISsoft выделит $500 тысяч на помощь пострадавшим в акциях – Технологии Onliner|url=https://tech.onliner.by/2020/08/14/kompaniya-issoft-vydelit-500-tysyach-na-pomoshh-postradavshim-v-akciyax|access-date=15 August 2020|website=Onliner|language=ru}}

The Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on 14 August an €11 million fund to help protesters get visas and settle in Poland. Morawiecki stated that Poland would provide support for Belarusian independent media and non-governmental organisations, and scholarships would also be available to Belarusian students in Poland. Lithuania offered medical assistance to injured protesters.{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/14/eu-announces-sanctions-against-belarus-over-violence-on-protesters-and-electoral-falsifica |title=EU announces sanctions against Belarus over 'violence' on protesters and electoral 'falsification' |publisher=Euro News |date=14 August 2020}}

On 19 August, the EU promised €2 million to assist the victims of state violence and €1 million to support independent media as part of a €53 million package to support a peaceful transition.{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/19/eu-leaders-to-discuss-next-steps-for-belarus |title=Threat of new crackdown on protesters as EU signals support for 'peaceful transition' in Belarus |publisher=Euro News |date=19 August 2020}}

Mikhail Orda, chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, called for law officers to investigate every case of violence in a detailed and objective manner, adding that the trade unions were willing to provide legal assistance to all victims.{{cite news |url=https://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-trade-unions-call-to-investigate-all-cases-of-violence-132725-2020/ |title=Belarus' trade unions call to investigate all cases of violence |publisher=BELTA |date=20 August 2020}}

File:Minsk Protest 2020-08-16 160959.jpg and white-red-white flags during a rally against Lukashenko, on 16 August 2020.]]

The white-red-white flag, which was the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposed Lukashenko. De facto banned by the authorities, the flag has been frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia (the historical coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania),{{cite news |title=Split Identity and a Tug-of-War for Belarus's Memory |url=https://jamestown.org/program/84916/ |publisher=The Jamestown Foundation |date=20 December 2019}} and the song Vajacki marš,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLmwvUrEMQA |title=Video |date=25 March 2018 |via=YouTube |access-date=30 August 2020}} which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic, as well as the song Pahonia (lyrics based on the poem by Maksim Bahdanovich, music by Mikola Kulikovich).{{Cite web|title=Pesnyary – Пагоня (Pagonya) lyrics + English translation|url=https://lyricstranslate.com/en/%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%8F-pahonia.html|access-date=2020-10-01|website=lyricstranslate.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evoKG8LsjhU&t=132s |title=Video |date=8 January 2020 |via=YouTube |access-date=30 August 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Особенности "беларускага адраджэння" в 1918–1920–х годах — Военный информационный портал Министерства обороны Республики Беларусь|url=https://www.mil.by/ru/news/press_center/publications/76519/|access-date=19 August 2020|website=mil.by|archive-date=2022-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118135441/https://www.mil.by/ru/news/press_center/publications/76519/|url-status=dead}} A common slogan used by protesters is the phrase Long live Belarus! (Жыве Беларусь!, romanised: Žyvie Biełaruś!).{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53762995|title=Shocked by violence, Belarusians lose their fear|first=Tatsiana|last=Melnichuk|date=13 August 2020|publisher=BBC}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/13/people-are-seeking-change-in-belarus-instead-they-re-being-mercilessly-beaten-and-detained|title=People are seeking change in Belarus. Instead, they're being mercilessly beaten and detained ǀ View|date=13 August 2020|website=euronews}} Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.{{Cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/society/697649.html|title=Барабаны, все флаги вместе и "слово пацана". В Витебске придумали новый формат мирных акций|date=22 August 2020|website=TUT.BY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823040712/https://news.tut.by/society/697649.html |archive-date=23 August 2020 |url-status=dead}} In a few isolated cases anti-Lukashenko demonstrators have used the flag of Europe.{{cite news |title=Belarus Protests Eclipse Rally in Defense of Defiant Leader |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/world/europe/belarus-protests-lukashenko.html |work=The New York Times |date=16 August 2020}}

The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko.{{cite news |title=Belarus prosecutors open probe against opposition activists |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/belarus-prosecutors-open-probe-against-opposition-activists-39465469.html |work=The Belfast Telegraph |date=20 August 2020}} In a few isolated cases pro-Lukashenko demonstrators have used the flag of Russia, the Banner of Victory against Nazi Germany, the flag of the Soviet Union and the Ribbon of Saint George.{{cite news |title=Rally in Minsk in support of Lukashenko |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT4hmN-5Jeg |agency=Associated Press |date=21 August 2020}}{{cite news |title=Belarus: 'Za Batku', pro-Lukashenko demonstrators gather in Minsk |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNfPw4RvPNo |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=25 August 2020}}{{cite news |title=Belarus: Thousands attend rally in support of Lukashenko in Vitebsk |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K30AK8dsfi8 |date=21 August 2020}}

File:Flag of Belarus.svg|Current state flag of Belarus

File:Flag of Belarus (1918, 1991-1995).svg|The former flag of Belarus

File:Coat of arms of Belarus (1991–1995).svg|Historic coat of arms of Belarus known as the Pahonia

File:Flag of Belarus (w-r-w) with Arms (2020).svg|Variant of the former flag of Belarus with the Pahonia coat of arms

File:Banner of the Pahonia coat of arms of Belarus.png|Heraldic banner of the Pahonia coat of arms

File:Rally in support of Tsikhanouskaya in Minsk (30 July 2020) - 01.jpg|Rally in support of Tsikhanowskaya, 30 July

File:Rally in support of Tsikhanouskaya in Minsk (30 July 2020) - 02.jpg

File:Rally in support of Tsikhanouskaya in Minsk (30 July 2020) - 03.jpg

File:Rally in support of Tsikhanouskaya in Minsk (30 July 2020) - 05.jpg

File:Rally in support of Tsikhanouskaya in Minsk (30 July 2020) - 69.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — line of solidarity in Minsk (13-08-2020) 12.jpg|Local lines of solidarity during mass protests in Minsk, 13 August

File:2020 Belarusian protests — line of solidarity in Minsk (13-08-2040) 04.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — line of solidarity in Minsk (13-08-2050) 05.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — line of solidarity in Minsk (14-08-2020) 1.jpg|Local lines of solidarity in Minsk, 14 August

File:2020 Belarusian protests — wall of shame in Minsk.jpg|"Wall of shame" near a school with diplomas issued by the school, graduate sashes and protest inscriptions. Such installations were made in protest against presumable falsifications by the teachers{{Cite web |url=https://belaruspartisan.by/life/509125/ |title=Фотофакт: выпускники возвращают школам свои награды |access-date=2020-08-15 |archive-date=2020-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913053839/https://belaruspartisan.by/life/509125/ |url-status=dead }}

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 16 August p0034.jpg|Protesters in Minsk on 16 August

File:Protest actions in Minsk (Belarus) near Stella, August 16.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 16 August p0024.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 16 August p0029.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 16 August p0060.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 16 August p0070.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 16 August p0048.jpg|Protest poster: "Fair elections. Tribunal. Freedom for political prisoners", 16 August

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Baranavichy, 16 August 03.jpg|Rally against Lukashenko and violence, in Baranavichy, 16 August

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 23 August p0027.jpg|Rally against Lukashenko in Minsk, 23 August

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 23 August p0061.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 23 August p0067.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 29 August p0009.jpg|"Women's march" against Lukashenko in Minsk, 29 August

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 29 August p0027.jpg

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 30 August p0033.jpg|Rally against Lukashenko in Minsk, 30 August

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 30 August p0028.jpg|Special vehicles of the internal troops or AMAP/OMON: moving two-level fences and water cannons with dozer blades

File:Trucks of Belarusian internal troops during protests 6.jpg|Internal troopers getting into the truck

File:Belarusian van of internal troops looking like ambulance.jpg|An ambulance-looking van with the registration plate of the Internal troops (BB-0)

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 30 August p0020.jpg|Internal troopers in Minsk

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 30 August p0050.jpg|Soldiers of the Belarusian ground forces during the protests

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 6 September p0093.jpg|Running internal troopers in Minsk. Note the van with darkened glasses and without the registration plate: such vans are reported to be used by the government forces to bring reinforcements and detain people[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/14/belarus-beating-arrests-armed-men-roam-streets-minsk 'It's like a war': beatings and indiscriminate arrests as armed men roam streets of Minsk][https://www.kp.ru/online/news/4003575/ Фотофакт. В Минске, Бресте, Гродно, Витебске и Гомеле люди вышли на "Марш единства"]

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 6 September p0015.jpg|Independence avenue (Minsk), blocked by the special vehicles: moving two-level fences and water cannons with dozer blades

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 20 September p0020.jpg|"March of justice". Minsk, 20 September

File:Pro-Lukashenko rally (Minsk, 20 September 2020) p2.jpg|Pro-Lukashenko rally. Note the orange-black pro-Putin NOD flag. Minsk, 20 September

File:Belarusian riot police cuts the protesting crowd before the suppression (20 September 2020).webm|Government forces slowly cut the protesting crowd a few minutes before the suppression began. Minsk, 20 September

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 4 October p0013.jpg|Use of water cannons in Minsk, 4 October. Note the orange color of the water: it makes visible traces on clothes{{Cite web |url=https://42.tut.by/701633 |title=Вчера водометы поливали протестующих в Минске оранжевой водой. Почему она такого цвета |access-date=2020-09-24 |archive-date=2020-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925224233/https://42.tut.by/701633 |url-status=dead }}

File:2020 Belarusian protests — Minsk, 4 October p0007.jpg|Use of water cannons in Minsk, 4 October (water in this water cannon was without dye)

File:Armed Lukashenko troopers, 1 November 2020 s6 (cropped).jpg|A group of armed troopers in casual clothes

File:Armed Lukashenko troopers, 1 November 2020 s8.jpg|A minivan with armed troopers

File:Armed Lukashenko troopers shooting in the air.webm|Shooting in the air

File:Armed Lukashenko troopers, 15 November 2020 s19.jpg|Approaching internal troopers supported by water cannon and assault van with a gunner. Minsk, 15 November

{{commons}}

• List of deaths related to the 2020 Belarusian protests
• 2017 Belarusian protests
• 2011 Belarusian protests
• 1996 Belarusian protests
• 1991 Belarusian Revolution
• 2022 Kazakh protests
• 2021 Russian protests
• Belarusian partisan movement

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• Korosteleva, E.A.; Kudlenko, A.; and, Petrova, I. (Eds),(2023), "Belarus in the Twenty-First Century: Between Dictatorship and Democracy", London, Routledge, ISBN 9781032318059
• Way, Lucan; Tolvin, Amelie (2023). "Why the 2020 Belarusian Protests Failed to Oust Lukashenka". Nationalities Papers.

{{Belarusian democracy movement}}

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{{Sakharov Prize}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Belarusian protests, 2020-2021}}

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