Belarus standoff continues while Moscow and Washington appear restrained
Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
President Lukashenko of Belarus is using the state apparatus in the hope of quelling opposition forces and that protests will decline. Of course, this might be wishful thinking on his part.
Internationally, unlike Ukraine, it appears that the European Union (EU), the Russian Federation, and the United States seek a compromise. If so, then this bodes well for civil society and stability in a very important geopolitical region between competing forces.
Interestingly, TASS News is highlighting human-rights abuses in Belarus and possible unconstitutional measures by Lukashenko. At the same time, the leaders of France and Germany have called for working with the Russian Federation to solve the ongoing crisis.
TASS reports, “Belarusian human rights activists have recorded evidence from 450 people who were beaten up by police during protests, the Vesna human rights center said on Tuesday.”
According to Tass and other sources, at least 6,000 people have been detained since the disputed election result was announced. Of these, many have been held for up to ten days.
The Vesna center says, “These facts of torture and mistreatment are systemic.”
In another article by Modern Tokyo Times, it was reported, “It appears that political elites in America, the EU, and the Russian Federation seem content for the Belarus people to decide the fate of Lukashenko. Thus not generating a negative geopolitical conflict that would bode ill for peaceful protesters.”
It is hoped that the EU, the Russian Federation, and the United States will work with all sides in Belarus for a peaceful outcome to materialize.
Thus it is incumbent on Lukashenko to note the situation is different this time. Therefore, compromise is essential because the people of Belarus want a say in their future.
https://tass.com/world/1193549
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