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Closure of Belarusian-themed shops seen as manifestation of Russification
July 14, Pozirk. Aleś Bialacki, head of the Viasna Human Rights Center, has described the closure of three prominent Belarusian-themed shops in Belarus as a manifestation of the government’s Russification policy.
The apparel brands Honar and LSTR Adzieńnie, as well as the souvenir shop Rahna, announced their closures in July without giving any reasons.
Observers suspect that the shops were forced to close under pressure from the authorities. For example, LSTR Adzieńnie unveiled a new collection just days before announcing its closure.
Human rights defenders received reports that the owner of one of the shops had been detained for questioning about “social media posts and contacts.” The man was reportedly released but told to shut down his business.
“This is a new step to Russify Belarus, which has been carried out by the hands of Belarusian authorities,” Bialacki said. “Of course, this program to destroy everything Belarusian has continued for more than 200 years. This way, the regime shows its … full dependence on [Russia’s] imperialistic narratives.”
He urged Belarusians to resist Russian assimilation in all possible ways.
Harassment of Catholic priests, closures of national-themed shops reported in Belarus
July 14, Pozirk. Sources reported new attacks on dissidents, Catholic priests and national renaissance activists in Belarus between July 11 and 13, including what appears to be forced closures of shops selling Belarusian-themed goods. Here’s the recap: Three shops that …
