Another Take: You can run from Belarus, but can you hide?
Jan 25, 2025
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Hanna Liubakova, a Belarusian journalist and Non-Resident Fellow at The Atlantic Council, discusses the dire political climate in Belarus. She delves into the harrowing escape of Olympic sprinter Kristina Tsimanovskaia from oppression during the Tokyo Olympics. The conversation also highlights the chilling effects of Lukashenko's regime on freedom of speech and the resilience of those standing against it. Liubakova shares insights on the human rights crisis and the emotional struggles faced by exiles navigating their new realities.
Belarusian athletes like Kristina Timonovskaya exemplify the severe risks and repercussions faced under an oppressive regime that endangers their freedom and safety.
The political environment in Belarus remains perilous, as widespread repression leads to both local and international threats against dissenters, complicating resistance efforts.
Deep dives
The Peril of Belarusian Athletes under a Dictatorship
Belarusian athletes, like Kristina Timonovskaya, face significant risks when their government interferes with their sports careers, revealing the oppressive environment in the country. During the Tokyo Olympics, Timonovskaya was ordered to withdraw from events without any explanation, prompting her to speak out against her coaches on social media. This act of defiance resulted in a hostile response, as she was warned that returning to Belarus would likely lead to her imprisonment or worse. Instead, she sought help from the Japanese authorities, ultimately escaping to Poland to continue her athletic pursuits while reflecting on the broader dangers faced by athletes under an authoritarian regime.
Political Repression and Activism in Belarus
The political landscape in Belarus remains extremely volatile as the government continues to suppress dissent, resulting in widespread fear among the populace. Following the 2020 presidential election, marked by alleged fraud, protests erupted but were met with severe crackdowns leading to numerous detentions and a wave of exiles. Activists, journalists, and even athletes find themselves in precarious situations, facing threats not only at home but also abroad, as demonstrated by the mysterious death of activist Vitaly Shishov in Ukraine. Despite this environment, there is a persistent will among Belarusians to resist and push for reform, although the severe repression has made organized dissent increasingly difficult.
The Impact of International Sanctions on Belarus
International sanctions imposed on Belarus in response to state-sponsored violence and human rights abuses have created a discussion about their effectiveness against the Lukashenko regime. Since the Ryanair flight incident, where a dissident was forcibly removed from a plane, Western nations have restricted air travel to Belarus and implemented sectoral sanctions aimed at crippling the economy. While these measures are intended to pressure the Belarusian government, they have also exacerbated the hardships faced by ordinary citizens, whose lives have already been devastated by authoritarian practices. The ongoing humanitarian crisis, driven by both internal repression and external factors, highlights the complex dynamics between state actions and international responses.
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on August 11, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
One year after a contested election and many protests, the movement to free Belarus from President Alexander Lukashenko has boiled over into neighboring states. This also means Belarusians around the world might fear the long arm of Lukashenko’s rule. Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya was quick to escape, but others faced a tragic end. What is happening in Belarus and how much power does Lukashenko hold beyond its borders?
This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Amy Walters, Dina Kesbeh, Alexandra Locke, Negin Owleie, Priyanka Tilve, Ney Alvarez, Tom Fenton, and our host, Malika Bilal.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.