Rights defenders: reprisals scare off even Łukašenka’s proxies at election
November 13, Pozirk. The ongoing politically-motivated crackdown is hampering Alaksandar Łukašenka’s attempts to present the upcoming January presidential election as competitive, said lawyers from the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections campaign.
The comment follows yesterday’s withdrawal of retired General Siarhiej Bobrykaŭ and Minsk’s ideology chief Volha Čamadanava from the race.
Similar moves by puppet candidates are a natural phenomenon because they cannot exercise their right to compete and be elected, the lawyers said.
Genuine participation in governance would be a lengthy process that requires “an open and honest dialogue between society and the authorities,” the campaign noted.
It is possible to exercise the right to participate in public affairs “only in an environment where all human rights are respected and accessible including the right to equality and non-discrimination, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association,” the lawyers stressed.
Belarus will hold its seventh presidential election from January 21 to 26, with the whole election cycle limited to just three months. The previous 2020 presidential race was marred by police brutality against peaceful protesters.
The remaining five presidential bidders are Alaksandar Łukašenka, his supporters Aleh Hajdukievič, Alaksandar Chižniak, Siarhiej Syrankoŭ as well as former MP Hanna Kanapackaja.
Candidates must garner at least 100,000 voter signatures before December 6 to qualify for the race.

General Bobrykaŭ, Čamadanava pull out of presidential race
- Economy
- Society
- EconomyOfficially-reported unemployment risesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition leader pays tribute to artist Aleś Puškin on death anniversaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyOver 1,400 electricians still working to restore power after windstormsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus’ envoy meets with UN secretary generalThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja arrives in Croatia to meet with prime ministerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsAt least six trials, 26 arrests in Biełaruski Hajun case - ViasnaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyInterior ministry brands 45 people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank: core inflation accelerating for six monthsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBiełstat: consumer prices up 0.9 percent in JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyNational Bank losing autonomy from government – think tankThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyPoland sanctions Kazakh company over ties to Belarus' wood producerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security, Society
- PoliticsŁukašenka invites Mongolia’s president to visit MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Local businessman taken into custodyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Politics, SecurityGeneral says Belarus has volunteer corps in every districtThe material is available only to POZIRK+