On the third anniversary of the disputed presidential elections in Belarus, the foreign ministers of Poland and the three Baltic states have reaffirmed their commitment to the Belarusian people and their pursuit of democracy. In a joint statement, the ministers condemned the election held on August 9, 2020, which saw President Aleksander Lukashenko declare himself the winner amid allegations of widespread fraud.
The aftermath of the election witnessed a wave of protests met with harsh police crackdowns, enabling Lukashenko to further tighten his grip on power in the country.
“The actions of Lukashenko, who asserted victory in a tainted electoral process, disregarded the democratic hopes and rights of the Belarusian citizens,” the joint statement read.
The foreign ministers expressed deep concern over the reported “significant electoral manipulation,” which they noted had led to “severe and inhumane suppression” of peaceful demonstrators and their allies.
In a united front, the ministers pledged unwavering solidarity with the Belarusian people, invoking the historic rallying cry “For our Freedom and Yours.” Their stance also encompassed a vision for Belarus as a democratic, independent, and sovereign nation, echoing their steadfast support for the people’s ongoing struggle for dignity and liberty.
Notably, the ministers also drew attention to the Belarusian regime’s alleged involvement in Russia’s actions against Ukraine. They labeled the Lukashenko administration an “accomplice and active supporter” of Russia’s unprovoked aggression towards Ukraine. This included allegations of political and logistical support provided by Minsk to Moscow, allowing the use of Belarusian territory for strategic purposes, including the deployment of missiles and nuclear weapons. The ministers further accused Belarus of permitting the presence of Wagner mercenaries on its soil, adding to the list of grievances.
The joint statement concluded by emphasizing that these actions make Belarus complicit in the forced deportations of Ukrainian children, suggesting a direct involvement in potential war crimes to be investigated by the International Criminal Court.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the stance of Poland and the Baltic states remains clear: they stand with the Belarusian people in their quest for a democratic future, and they hold the Lukashenko regime accountable for its alleged actions against both its own citizens and neighboring countries.